The Children's Drug and Optical Program helps cover costs of prescription drugs and eye care for children aged 18 and under. This program is for low-income families.
Who can use the program?
Low-income families with children 18 years of age and under are covered by the program.
Getting started with the program
To enroll in the program, you will be asked to provide the following information on the application:
- net monthly income from all sources (annual or monthly);
- health care numbers for children 18 years and under; and
- receipts totaling the amount of the deductible applicable to your family.
Application forms are available at health centres and physicians' offices. They are also available from Insured Health Services at 2024 Lambert Street, Whitehorse.
How much does medication cost?
Search the Yukon Drug Formulary to find the cost of a medication. You can search using the:
- brand name;
- generic ingredient;
- drug identification number (DIN); or
- manufacturer name.
Prescriptions, eyewear and eye care
Once enrolled, children are eligible for:
- prescription drugs;
- 1 eye examination every 2 years;
- glasses every 2 years, to a maximum cost of $200; and
- contact lenses, when recommended for medical reasons.
Eye examinations and lenses
Your child can have additional eye examinations and lenses:
- if your doctor or optometrist recommends these; and
- these are pre-approved by the director of Insured Health Programs.
Other medical supplies
Some medical supplies recommended by your physician or community-health nurse are also covered, such as:
- surgical and burn dressings;
- scabicides for scabies or cuts;
- pediculicides for lice;
- anaphylaxis emergency treatment kits for allergic reactions;
- anti-fungal medications;
- prenatal vitamins; and
- wart treatments.
The Children's Drug and Optical Program (CDOP) is designed to assist low income families with the cost of prescription drugs and eye care for children under the age of 19 years.
Eligibility
- Low-income families with children aged 0 to 18 years are eligible. If a family has other insurance, that insurance must be used first.
Deductible
- Your family may be responsible for paying a portion of the costs every year. This is your deductible.
- Once you have paid the deductible in eligible expenses, your child will be enrolled in the program. The Children's Drug and Optical Program will cover the remaining eligible expenses.
- The maximum deductible is $250 per child or $500 per family.
Note: To waive or lower your deductible, the program will require a statement of income that shows your family's net income. The Children's Drug and Optical Program will accept confirmation of net income from line 236 of the income tax form or line 150 of the income tax assessment form, from recent pay stubs or statement of other income such as Employment Insurance, Social Assistance,
Disability and or Yukon Workers Compensation Health and Safety Board benefits.
Benefits
Once enrolled, children are eligible for:
- prescription drugs;
- one eye examination every two years;
- glasses every two years, to a maximum cost of $200;
- contact lenses, where recommended for medical reasons; and
- certain medical supplies when recommended by a physician or community health nurse.
Medical supplies include: surgical and burn dressings, scabicides (scabies/cuts), pediculicides (lice), anaphylaxis emergency treatment kits (allergic reactions), antifungal medications, prenatal vitamins and wart treatments.
Additional eye examinations and lenses are permitted when a recommendation is made by a physician or optometrist and is preapproved by the Director of Insured Health Programs.
If you have questions about the Children's Drug and Optical Program, phone 867-667-5092, or phone toll-free in Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories 1-800-661-0408, extension 5092.