Cancer can be expensive to treat and manage. In a literature review conducted by the Canadian Cancer Society in 2010, findings showed that most of the costs incurred by patients and their families were traced back to travelling expenses, out-of-pocket costs, and cancer drugs and prescription medicines. This section is meant to provide financial aid and resources specific to cancer patients and their families residing in New Brunswick.
New Brunswick drug plan
New Brunswick is currently phasing in the New Brunswick Drug Plan: this will cover individuals regardless of age, gender or pre-existing medical condition.
The New Brunswick Drug Plan is available to all New Brunswick residents who:
- have an active Medicare Card;
- do not have existing drug coverage (through a private plan or a government program); or
- have existing drug coverage but it does not cover a specific drug that is included in the drug plan formulary or the resident has reached their yearly or lifetime maximum for drug coverage
Phase 1 of the New Brunswick Drug Plan goes from May 1, 2014 – March 31, 2015; enrolment in this phase is voluntary for New Brunswick residents who have a valid Medicare card. Phase 2, which comes into effect on April 1, 2015, will make it mandatory for all New Brunswickers to have prescription drug insurance, whether through private insurance or enrolment in the New Brunswick Drug Plan [6].
To find more general information about the drug plan and how to enrol please visit the Government of New Brunswick website.
Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society New Brunswick assists people who have cancer with ground transportation costs for cancer treatments (chemotherapy and radiation). Transportation costs outside New Brunswick may also be considered for treatments that are not available in the province. Residents of
New Brunswick who have been diagnosed with cancer and who are in financial need are encouraged to apply.