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Seniors' Drug Plan
Eligible seniors 65 years and older pay $25 for prescription drugs listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary or approved under Exception Drug Status.
Ask your physician or pharmacist if your medications may qualify for Exception Drug Status.
1. Eligibility
The Ministry of Health determines eligibility based on age and the net income (Line 23600) reported on your income tax return filed with the Canada Revenue Agency.
- You must be a Saskatchewan resident 65 years of age or older with a valid Saskatchewan Health card.
- You must be eligible for the provincial age credit, which is based on the annual net income you reported on Line 23600 of your income tax form in the previous two years. Your net income must be $75,918 or less on your 2023 income tax to be eligible for the year 2025.
- Seniors covered through federal government programs, such as the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits Program or Veterans Affairs, are not eligible for the Seniors' Drug Plan.
2. Benefits
Eligible seniors 65 years of age and older pay $25 for eligible prescription drugs that are listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary or approved under Exception Drug Status.
3. Application
Each eligible senior applies to the program by completing the Seniors' Drug Plan application form and by providing income documentation. Choose an application form at the following links:
Fill out Form A to provide your consent to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to release specific income information (Line 23600) to the Ministry of Health, Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch. No annual application is required. Your coverage is automatically renewed each year as long as your income tax return is filed each year.
Fill out Form B if you do not file income tax or would rather submit an application with your income documentation each year. In the fall, a renewal notification will be mailed to you with instructions on how to renew your coverage.
- Mail, fax or email your application to the Drug Plan's Seniors' Drug Plan.
- You will receive a confirmation of benefits letter when the initial application is processed.
- Seniors' Drug Plan coverage begins on the date the Drug Plan receives your complete application, including income documentation.
- You are encouraged to complete Form A for automatic annual renewal and to prevent a lapse in coverage.
You can apply for the Seniors' Drug Plan up to two months before you turn 65:
- If you apply before your 65th birthday and your application is approved, your coverage will begin on the first day of the month you turn 65.
- If you apply after your 65th birthday, your coverage will begin on the date the Drug Plan receives your complete application, including documentation, subject to eligibility.
4. Confirmation of Coverage
Initial application: You will receive a confirmation of benefits letter after the initial application is processed. The letter is mailed to the address on your Saskatchewan Health Card file.
Renewal: You will only be notified if there is a change in your coverage on renewal. The letter is mailed to the address listed on your Saskatchewan Health Card file.
Form B: You will be required to reapply each year by submitting a complete application with supporting income documents. Renewal letters are mailed once the application is processed.
Form A: Coverage is automatically renewed each year. Letters for the 2025 coverage period will be available after December 1, 2024.
You may request a reprinted Seniors' Drug Plan letter if coverage is in place. To request your letter, click the link and enter your nine-digit Health Services Number (HSN) located on your Saskatchewan Health Card and select the Program Type as Seniors' Drug Plan, or scan the following QR code:
If you require a letter for your records, but do not receive the letter after seven days through the online Request Your Special Support letter process, call the Drug Plan at 1-800-667-7581.
Your pharmacy will be aware of your 2025 coverage when your first prescription is filled after January 2025.
5. Reassessment
If your annual income changes during the coverage period, you may send a written request for a reassessment of coverage to the ministry's Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch, Seniors' Drug Plan. You must include documentation of income changes.
6. Other Programs
Seniors may also apply for the Special Support program, which is based on total family income and total family drug costs.
- If you pay less than $25 per prescription, you will continue to do so. For example, if your medication is $25 per prescription under the Seniors' Drug Plan, but $11 under the Special Support program, you will continue to pay $11 for that prescription.
Seniors with the federal Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and Seniors Income Plan (SIP) will continue to have a $200 and $100 semi-annual deductible, respectively. Once the deductible is reached, the copayment under GIS or SIP is 35 per cent.
- If you pay less than $25 per prescription, you will continue to do so. For example, if your medication is $25 per prescription under the Seniors' Drug Plan, but the 35 per cent copayment under GIS or SIP is $14, you will continue to pay $14 for that prescription.
There will be no change in coverage for those seniors who have drug coverage under:
- Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living (SAIL);
- Palliative care programs; or
- Seniors' Income Plan (SIP) and reside in a long-term care facility.