Who pays for HEALTHCARE? BRITISH COLUMBIA We gathered the information in this guide as of April 14, 2014. We’ve made a considerable effort to confirm that the information is accurate, but it may be incomplete or incorrect. It’s important that you consult your own legal and tax advisors to review your personal situation. We also recommend you check your employer and personal insurance plans for details on your specific coverage. BRITISH COLUMBIA DISABILITY HOME LONG TERM PALLIATIVE PRESCRIPTION TRAVEL EMERGENCY PROTECTION CARE CARE CARE DRUGS HEALTH INTRODUCTION Brought to you by Health always matters most cancers and dementia. In this context of change, we recommend you consider your own needs, Canadians strongly identify with their medicare preferences and personal resources. Planning for system and most see it as a national icon. We have health expenses is as important as buying a house enjoyed universal, first-dollar coverage for hospitals or saving for retirement; indeed, health and wealth and physicians for decades, but other health planning are natural companions. services can be surprisingly expensive. Our needs have changed over time, often radically. Introducing Sun Life’s While the principles of the Canada Health Act healthcare funding guides (1984) remain sound, in the last 30 years there has These guides outline some of the coverage options, been a six-fold increase in health costs.1 Private personal costs and other key considerations for health spending by individuals and insurers was six common health events and services: disability, estimated at $63 billion in 2013. Some of those home care, long term (nursing home) care, palliative costs likely came from your pocket…or may soon. (end-of-life) care, prescription drugs and travel emergency medical. Planning and paying: A shared responsibility The guides are organized by province, just as our healthcare system is operated and you’ll find many Government and employer health plans provide embedded web links to other authoritative websites complementary coverage for many health-related for more detail and the latest updates. They are expenses. But there are common, medically meant to be a quick reference that you will find necessary health services that are not fully covered. practical, informative and easily accessible. Planning Each province makes their own decisions and those ahead can provide important protection and peace entitlements may change over time, especially as of mind and help you get what you need, when governments struggle with high debts and deficits, you need it. demographic changes and higher rates of many common chronic diseases such as diabetes, certain Research provided by H3 Consulting. 1 Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2013. National Health Expenditure Trends 1975 to 2013 (Link: https://secure.cihi.ca/free_products/NHEXTrendsReport_EN.pdf). www.sunlife.ca/whopaysforhealthcare/BC 2 BRITISH COLUMBIA DISABILITY HOME LONG TERM PALLIATIVE PRESCRIPTION TRAVEL EMERGENCY PROTECTION CARE CARE CARE DRUGS HEALTH DISABILITY PROTECTION Brought to you by Overview Disability can affect your income, lifespan and quality of life and your chances of becoming disabled are greater than you may think. Statistics Canada has reported that nearly 4.5 million Canadians (14.3%) had a disability in 2006. That percentage has increased since 2001 and also increases steadily with age. Among younger people of working age (25-44), 8% reported a disability. For those ages 45-64, 18% reported a disability. For all adults, the most frequent disabilities are related to pain, mobility and agility and of those reporting a disability, 82% reported more than one and 40% reported their disability was severe or very severe. have dropped at least 40% due to your condition COVERAGE Federal government and you must have at least 600 hours of insurable 4.5 million earnings during (generally) the last 52 weeks. There (14.3%) of • The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) provides a disability is a two-week waiting period once approved. Based Canadians had benefit to those under age 65 who have contributed on 55% of your insurable earnings, the maximum a disability 14.3% to the plan and who have a severe and prolonged weekly benefit was $514 in 2014, but there is a in 2006 disability that 1) prevents a claimant from being able supplement for qualifying low income families. to work at any job on a regular basis or 2) will result in death. Applications take about four months to • The Child Disability Benefit (CDB) is a tax-free Reported disabilities more benefit for families with a child under age 18 who than double after age 45 be processed, although those considering terminal conditions will be reviewed in two days. As of has a severe and prolonged impairment in mental 8% 25-44 years March 2014, the average monthly benefit is $896.87 or physical function. The CDB provides up to and the maximum benefit for 2014 is $1,236.35. The $218.83 per month for each eligible child (July 18% 45-64 years basic amount ($457.60 - 2014) is fixed for all eligible 2013 - June 2014) but is reduced according to claimants, with additional benefits based on the the number of children and family net income. claimant’s CPP contributions. If the claimant qualifies, • Veterans and active military personnel may qualify Most frequent disabilities there is also an additional benefit for dependent for a disability award or a disability pension if their are related to children payable up to age 25. The current (2014) disability is related to their military service. Current benefit is a flat monthly rate of $230.72. and former members of the RCMP and certain PAIN, agility civilians may also qualify for the disability pension. and • Employment Insurance (EI) pays a sickness benefit mobility for up to 15 weeks for those unable to work due to sickness, injury or quarantine. Your earnings must www.sunlife.ca/whopaysforhealthcare/BC 3 BRITISH COLUMBIA DISABILITY HOME LONG TERM PALLIATIVE PRESCRIPTION TRAVEL EMERGENCY PROTECTION CARE CARE CARE DRUGS HEALTH DISABILITY PROTECTION Brought to you by • For severe and prolonged disability in physical audiology services and transportation. assistance through the Home Adaptations for or mental functions, there are other federal tax Nursing support services are also available Independence Program to allow eligible low- benefits for which you may qualify, including for children and youth. income seniors and people with disabilities the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). For those who to stay in their own homes. For homeowners, • For those in financial need, British Columbia’s qualify for the DTC, contributions can be made up to $20,000 more may be available to allow Employment and Assistance Program for to a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). underlying repairs and improvements before Persons with Disabilities provides assistance Those with a RDSP are eligible for federal disability adaptations can be installed. A list of and income supplements for those who are grants and bonds. eligible renovations is available. There is also a designated as people with disabilities (PWD) home owner grant that reduces property taxes by the Ministry of Social Development and on your principle residence for those with a • Social Innovation. Note that PWD is not COVERAGE Provincial government disability or someone living with a spouse or a permanent designation and the ministry relative who has a disability. The reduction is can rescind it in exceptional circumstances. up to $845 or up to $1,045 if it is located in a • The British Columbia government has Monthly payments depend on income and northern and rural area. There is a minimum created a one-stop directory of the many assets and the number of people in the family. services it offers to disabled adults and property tax payment of $100. A property children. It offers many employment • There is a fuel tax refund for people with tax deferral may also be possible. Subsidized supports through WorkBC. qualifying disabilities that provides up to $500 housing may be available for low to moderate annually. Eligibility for the fuel tax refund income tenants with disabilities. • The Ministry of Children and Family also qualifies you for a 25% discount on basic • A variety of personal supports are available Development offers family support automobile insurance from the Insurance for residents with disabilities. services for children and youth who Corporation of British Columbia. have a developmental disability, a • British Columbia offers a supplemental • For modifications to vehicles (to install diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder bursary for students with permanent auxiliary driving controls or to accommodate or who are severely disabled and eligible disabilities. A Canada student grant may wheelchairs) used by disabled people for for the At Home Program. The At Home also be available. Program includes respite benefits (typically private (not commercial) use, there is a refund between $2,400 and $2,800 per year) and of the 12% tax on designated property. • WorkSafeBC provides income replacement benefits and healthcare coverage for qualified medical services, which includes equipment, • For tenants and homeowners, British Columbia workers through no-fault liability insurance supplies, drugs, dental care, vision and Housing provides up to $20,000 of financial mandated for employers in certain industries. www.sunlife.ca/whopaysforhealthcare/BC 4 BRITISH COLUMBIA DISABILITY HOME LONG TERM PALLIATIVE PRESCRIPTION TRAVEL EMERGENCY PROTECTION CARE CARE CARE DRUGS HEALTH DISABILITY PROTECTION Brought to you by Several types of benefits are payable, including There will be a waiting period before benefits wage-loss benefits, healthcare benefits and are payable, which is usually between three and COVERAGE Personal insurance permanent disability and death benefits. Wage six months following the first day of disability. loss benefits are based on 90% of net earnings If your employer has a flexible benefits plan, • Individual disability insurance plans are up to $77,900 (2014).