BC Gov News
Summary
- Expanded coverage for certain diabetes-related devices and supplies begins Wednesday, April 1, 2026
- Coverage includes lancets, swabs, ketone strips and insulin pumps, saving people hundreds of dollars and, in some cases, thousands of dollars
- This is in addition to recently announced coverage of extra diabetes medications, menopausal hormone therapy and contraceptives
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People in B.C. have access to expanded coverage of diabetes-related supplies and devices with help from federal National Pharmacare funding.
“At the start of the month, we announced that people in B.C. would no longer have to pay out-of-pocket for some diabetes medications,” said Josie Osborne, B.C.’s Minister of Health. “Building from that, and as part of National Pharmacare in B.C., we are expanding coverages so people living with diabetes have greater access to care at less cost.”
More coverage for people living with diabetes in B.C.
Starting Wednesday, April 1, 2026, more people with diabetes will be eligible for coverage of lancets and alcohol swabs, as well as blood and urine ketone strips, subject to the following annual quantity limits:
- lancets: 400
- alcohol swabs: 300
- blood or urine ketone strips: 100
These items make up an at-home testing kit for diabetes management and can cost between $30 and $100 per month.
Coverage of these supplies will be through existing PharmaCare plans. This includes Plan C (Income Assistance and Family Services), Plan F (Children in the At-Home program), Plan W (First Nations Health Authority), and Fair PharmaCare. For people covered by Plans C, F and W, coverage will be 100%.
Coverage is processed at the pharmacy counter. Residents enrolled in the Medical Services Plan will need to present their B.C. Services Card. B.C. residents who are not covered by Plan C, F or W should register for Fair PharmaCare to receive coverage based on their family income.
As with blood-glucose test strips, patients must receive training from a diabetes education centre or primary care network to be eligible for coverage of lancets, alcohol swabs and ketone strips.
“Many British Columbians are feeling the pressure of daily expenses, including the high cost of managing chronic diseases like diabetes,” said Marjorie Michel, federal Minister of Health. “Pharmacare means more people living with diabetes in British Columbia will have improved access to certain diabetes-related devices and supplies, at less cost.”
Coverage for insulin pumps
Patients with Type 1 diabetes that meet certain clinical criteria can receive coverage for Ypsomed AG’s mylife Ypsopump, which, when paired with the Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor and used with a smartphone mobile application, creates a hybrid closed loop (HCL) automated insulin-delivery system.
The Ypsopump is the first HCL system with PharmaCare coverage. HCL systems are an advancement in diabetes mellitus management, as they combine glucose monitoring and insulin-pump technology to automate insulin delivery. Other technologies are under review.
Coverage of this pump will be through existing PharmaCare plans. This includes Plan C and Fair PharmaCare. For people covered by Plans C, F and W, coverage will be 100%. The pump is also covered 100% under Plan B (Long-term Care).
“I’m very happy to learn that on April 1, the Province will fund the automated insulin delivery-capable Ypsopump and diabetes consumables, including finger-pokers, alcohol swabs and blood ketone strips, subject to the pharmacare deductible,” said Dr. Tom Elliott, medical director, B.C. Diabetes. “While this is great news, it’s just one step toward our shared goal of delivering the best care possible to people living with diabetes in B.C.”
This coverage stems from the March 6, 2025, federal agreement with the provincial government to implement national pharmacare in B.C., providing as much as $670 million over three years. This funding includes approximately $37 million specifically for enhancing coverage of diabetes devices and supplies.
As of March 1, 2026, under B.C.’s National Pharmacare Plan (Plan NP), hundreds of thousands of people in B.C. have access, at no cost, to menopausal hormone therapy and contraceptives as well as diabetes medications such as:
- many insulins
- Metformin
- Sulfonylureas, such as glyburide and gliclazide
- Dapagliflozin
- Empagliflozin
Saxagliptin, Linagliptin and Pioglitazone are covered with special authority approval.
Quick Facts:
- Average cost breakdown:
- urine ketone strips: $7 to $13 for 50-150 strips
- blood ketone strips: $26 to $37 for 10-50 strips
- lancets: $7 to $15 for 100
- alcohol swabs: $3 to $7 for 100
- PharmaCare covers as much as $7,000 for the insulin pump, depending on the person’s coverage plan, and the pump has a five-year warranty.
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