Prescription Drugs

Your plan helps cover the cost of most medications prescribed by your doctor, ensuring you get the treatments you need without the stress of high costs.

Prescription Drugs Coverage Overview

  • Your plan covers 100% of eligible prescription drugs with no overall annual maximum and no deductible.
  • Specific maximums apply to some drug categories and dispensing fees. See below and review your Benefits Booklet for more details.
  • To be eligible, drugs must be legally prescribed and dispensed in Canada. Some specialty drugs require pre-approval through the FACET drug prior authorization program to be covered.
  • Over-the-counter medications, smoking cessation products, drugs considered cosmetic, and drugs without a Drug Identification Number (DIN) are not covered.
  • The benefit year runs from September 1 to August 31.

Prescription Drugs Covered in Your Plan

  • Contraceptive Drugs
  • Preventative Vaccines
  • Sexual Dysfunction Drugs: Up to $300 per benefit year.
  • Fertility Drugs: Up to a $12,000 lifetime maximum.
  • Diabetic Supplies: Disposable needles for non-disposable insulin devices, sensors for flash glucose monitoring devices, lancets, and test strips. Note: see Medical Services, Supplies, and Devices for information about continuous glucose monitors and supplies.

For any questions about your prescription drugs coverage, please contact Canada Life.

Important Information about Your Prescription Drug Coverage

Dispensing Fees

  • The plan covers a maximum dispensing fee of $11.00. If your pharmacy charges more, you’ll need to pay the difference.
  • For maintenance medications (ongoing prescriptions), the plan covers up to six dispensing fees per benefit year. Ask your doctor for a 90-day supply to save on costs and reduce pharmacy visits.

Lowest-Cost Alternative

  • You will be reimbursed based on the lowest-cost interchangeable drug available, usually a generic. A generic drug has the same active ingredients with the same dosage, form, strength, safety and quality as a brand name.
  • If your doctor prescribes a brand-name drug and indicates “No Substitution,” you need to submit a Request for Brand Name Drug Coverage form to Canada Life for approval. Otherwise the prescription will only be covered up to the price of the lowest-cost alternative drug (typically the generic version).

Save on Your Prescription Drugs

Use Your Benefits Card

Always use your benefits card at the pharmacy. This allows the pharmacist to submit your claim directly to Canada Life and lets you know upfront if any cost isn’t covered. Learn how to access your digital benefits card.

Prior Authorization

Some prescriptions (such as medications with multiple uses or specialty drugs) require prior authorization (pre-approval) to determine if they’ll be covered. If your pharmacist informs you that your prescription requires prior authorization, you’ll need to go through the FACET drug prior authorization program to first confirm that the drug will be covered, before having your prescription filled.

FACET is administered by Cubic Health, an independent third party, and no personal medical information is shared with the CUPE EWBT or your employer.

Learn About the FACET Program

Rest assured, the CUPE EWBT is here to make sure you get the medications you need, while engaging our partner Cubic Health to help keep our benefits plan affordable and cost-efficient without the stress.

Have Questions About Your Coverage?

Refer to your Benefits Booklet for detailed coverage, limitations, and exclusions. For specific inquiries, contact Canada Life.

Contacts Guide