MLA
Ray Prins
In December 2008, the Alberta government introduced a new drug plan for seniors as part of the Alberta Pharmaceutical Strategy. Since the announcement, a great deal of feedback has been received from seniors. In response, government made a commitment to review the plan and, earlier this month, introduced a revised seniors’ drug plan.
Under the revised plan, nearly 60 per cent of seniors will receive free prescription drugs or pay less than they currently pay. The Alberta government will continue to pay almost 80 per cent of seniors’ drug costs.
The revised plan includes two components: a co-payment and a monthly premium. The co-payment will be 20 per cent of each prescription’s cost or up to $15 per prescription. This is a $10 reduction from the current co-payment of 30 per cent of each prescription’s cost or up to $25 per prescription.
A new monthly premium of $63.50 for an individual and $118 for a family will be introduced. Eighty-five per cent of seniors will either not be required to pay a premium or will have their premium reduced by 25 per cent or 50 per cent based on their taxable income.
Like the seniors’ drug plans of other western provinces, Alberta’s plan is based on income. Under the plan, low-income seniors will not pay a co-payment or a premium. Seniors with a slightly higher income will pay a co-payment, but not a premium. Other seniors will pay a co-payment and a monthly premium.
For example, a single senior with a taxable income of $12,000 or less and a senior family with a combined taxable income of $24,000 or less will receive free prescription drugs. A single senior with a taxable income of $12,001 to $24,000 and a senior family with a combined taxable income of $24,001 to $48,000 will pay 20 per cent of each prescription’s cost or up to $15 per prescription. A single senior with a taxable income of $24,001 or more and a senior family with a combined taxable income of $48,001 or more will pay 20 per cent of each prescription’s cost or up to $15 per prescription plus a monthly premium based on their taxable income.
The plan is optional and will become effective on July 1, 2010.
Government is changing seniors’ drug coverage because we need to have a plan for the future. We need to assist low-income seniors, those who most need our support. We also need to ensure that government can continue to provide a seniors’ drug plan in the years to come and keep drug costs sustainable.
For more information about the revised seniors’ drug plan, visit health.alberta.ca or contact my office at 403-782-7725, 1-800-565-6432, lacombe.ponoka@assembly.ab.ca.