British Columbia

The BC Cancer Agency  provides information on programs to help with medical costs including:

• Ostomy supplies: PharmaCare covers ostomy supplies for patients who have undergone bladder or bowel surgery that results in a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy, requiring an external pouch. For more information, click here. 
• Breast prostheses: After mastectomy or lumpectomy surgery, PharmaCare covers breast prostheses, lymphedema arm sleeves, glove or gauntlets for lymphedema arm sleeves. PharmaCare does not cover: 
  • Prostheses that surpass basic functionality.
  • Backup prostheses.
  • Replacement of lost/stolen prostheses or supplies.
  • Products or devices covered by another insurer including ICBC, WorkSafeBC, Veteran Affairs Canada, Health Canada’s Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, and comparable programs from other provinces. 
  • Repairs and replacements are only covered if they are not covered by a warranty, if they support attaining or maintaining basic functionality, prolong the useful life of the prosthetic device, and if they are for a device or part of a device that was covered by PharmaCare when it was purchased.
  • All repairs and replacements of $400 or greater need PharmaCare pre-approval. Note that there are time and quantity constraints for repairs and replacements. 
• Tax deductions for medical expenses.
• Veterans & military.
• WorkSafe BC.

BC Pharmacare Formulary: The BC PharmaCare Formulary lists all medications and a few diabetes supplies that PharmaCare covers. The formulary also lists reviews of medications that PharmaCare does not cover.

Drug Funding: This page shares information about oncology drug coverage in B.C. The source of funding for cancer medications in BC is based on whether they are being used to actively treat cancer, or for alternative purposes like supportive care.

BC Cancer: Manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs: Provides a list of medications currently not covered in the BC Cancer Benefit Drug List.

BC Cancer Foundation – Beyond Barriers Patient Relief Fund: The BC Cancer Foundation Beyond Barriers Patient Relief Fund is designed to help patients overcome barriers related to their cancer journey. The fund is broad in its scope and covers things like grocery cards, travel and accommodation vouchers, as well as treatment related costs including medical supplies, nutritional supplements, medications, dental care and others. 

• To address the equitable care gap, a certain amount of the fund is allocated for Indigenous patients who need support navigating the system.

Canadian Cancer Society: Cancer Travel and Accommodation Services – British Columbia: The Canadian Cancer Society offers a travel and accommodation services program to decrease the burden of traveling for treatment/care by providing financial assistance, air and ground transportation, and accommodations.

Crisis Supplement – Province of British Columbia: A crisis supplement may be available to persons who face unforeseen emergency needs with a one-time payment to prevent risks to their physical or mental health.

Angel Flight of British Columbia: A registered non-profit organization with a goal to offer free air transportation to ambulatory cancer patients, including patients with non-communicable illness. This service is available for both patients and their parents/partners who have to travel to cancer clinics and hospitals in Vancouver, Victoria and other approved areas within which Angel Flight operates.

Ruby Slipper Fund: The Ruby Slipper Fund’s goal is to provide assistance to people on the Sunshine Coast who have been affected by cancer. They hold annual charity events to raise funds to help people affected by cancer. This fund can help with treatment-related travel expenses, the cost of medications not covered by insurance, emergency funding, and life necessities like food and gas.

BC Hospitality Foundation – Apply For Support: The BC Hospitality Foundation offers financial assistance for tourism and hospitality workers in the face of medical challenges. There are certain eligibility criteria to qualify for funding, including living in British Columbia, and being employed in the hospitality/tourism industry for a minimum of two years. For a complete list of eligibility criteria, visit the BC Hospitality Foundation Website.

Volunteer Firefighters Association of BC (VFABC) – Agency Details – 211 British Columbia: The Volunteer Firefighters Association of BC provides funds to help member firefighters and their families during emergency situations like a death in the family, severe illness, and a need to travel for health care. The fund is supported through membership dues.

BC Hydro Customer Crisis Fund (CCF):  If you are a residential customer going through a temporary financial hardship, including loss of employment or benefit income, unforeseen medical costs, or a death in the family, and you have fallen behind on your BC Hydro Bill, you may be able to apply for a grant payment to prevent the disconnection of your service. 

Internet for Good: Internet for Good grants thousands of low-income families in British Columbia, Alberta, and some regions of Quebec with the tools and connectivity they need to do well. Recipients are required to have children under the age of majority and must be currently receiving the maximum Canada Child Benefit.

Food Banks BC: Food Banks BC operates as the provincial association of food banks. Click here to find your local food bank to access services and resources.

Transportation & Lodging: Support with transportation and lodging associated with cancer treatment may be accessible for patients and their families.

The British Columbia Disability Assistance can support you if you need financial or health assistance. You need to be designated as a Person with Disabilities (PWD) to obtain this type of assistance. In order to be eligible you must: 

• Demonstrate that you meet financial eligibility to obtain assistance 
• Be 18 years old
• Have a severe physical/mental impairment that is anticipated to continue for greater than 2 years
• Be significantly limited in your ability to perform daily living tasks
• Require assistance with daily living tasks.

You are required to meet specific income and asset criteria. If you have a disability and receive disability assistance, you can still work and earn money. The money you make, up to a specific amount, does not change the amount on your monthly payment as long as you don’t go beyond the annual limit. 

For more information, including the application process, click here.

Income assistance: If you are in need and lack other resources, you may qualify for income assistance. This can help support your transition to employment. For more information click here. 

Childhood Cancer Family Support: CCFS is an organization that supports families throughout British Columbia. CCFS grants financial support to families to meet expenses due to a loss of income or to help with travel costs and medication.

Balding for Dollars: Balding for Dollars offers temporary accommodations, gas cards, parking passes, grocery gift cards, and meal vouchers. For families staying at the hospital, they offer laundry facilities and help with medical supplies not covered by insurance. 

Friends of Children: Friends of Children (FOC) is a registered charity assisting families located in Northern BC and East Kootenay with children in medical need. The FOC helps with financial support for travel, meals and accommodation related to children’s medical needs. For more information, click here.

South Okanagan Children’s Charity: The Sunshine Fund helps financially disadvantaged families with medical expenses and travel subsidies for children that require the services of BC Children’s Hospital.

West Coast Kids Cancer Foundation: West Coast Kids Cancer Foundation offers nourishing meals to families impacted by childhood cancer and blood disorders at the hospital and at home at zero cost.