ODB & Trillium Drug Program Help in Waterloo

ODB & Trillium Drug Program Help in Waterloo & Kitchener

Navigating Ontario's drug coverage programs can be confusing. We help our patients figure out what they qualify for, apply when needed, and minimize what they pay out of pocket. Direct-billing to ODB and Trillium is free when you fill your prescriptions at The Boardwalk Pharmacy.

Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB)

The ODB program covers most prescription drug costs for Ontario residents who are:

• 65 years or older
• Living in a long-term care home or home for special care
• Receiving professional services under Home and Community Care
• Receiving Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) benefits
• Registered for the Trillium Drug Program (see below)

If you're 65+: You're automatically enrolled when you turn 65 — show your Ontario health card. There's a small annual deductible ($100) and a small dispensing fee ($2 max) for most seniors. Low-income seniors have the deductible waived and pay only $2 per prescription.

If you're on OW or ODSP: Your eligible drugs are covered 100% — no deductible, no copay.

Trillium Drug Program

The Trillium Drug Program is Ontario's drug coverage for people under 65 who don't have private insurance (or whose drug costs are high relative to income). It covers prescription drugs after you've met a deductible.

Who qualifies:

• Ontario residents with a valid OHIP card
• No private prescription drug insurance, OR your drug costs exceed roughly 4% of household income
• No age limit — it's for anyone under 65 who doesn't qualify for ODB

How much you pay: About 4% of household net income per year (paid in 4 quarterly deductibles). Once you've met the deductible, you pay only $2 per prescription for the rest of the quarter. Trillium covers most drugs on the ODB formulary.

How to apply for Trillium

1. Get an application form from ontario.ca/Trillium or call 1-800-575-5386.
2. Fill in household income and Ontario Income Tax filer info.
3. Mail or email it back to the Ministry of Health.
4. Processing usually takes 2–4 weeks.
5. Once approved, your card arrives in the mail — bring it to The Boardwalk Pharmacy and we'll add it to your file.

We can help with the application. Bring your most recent tax return and we'll review whether Trillium will save you money, and we'll help you fill out the form. No appointment needed.

What we direct-bill

• Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB)
• Trillium Drug Program
• Indigenous Services Canada (NIHB) for First Nations and Inuit patients
• Veterans Affairs Canada
• Most private plans: Manulife, Sun Life, Green Shield, Blue Cross, Canada Life, Industrial Alliance, and others

You pay only your share at the counter — no waiting for reimbursement.

Common questions

I have a co-pay even with ODB. Why?
ODB has a $100 annual deductible for most seniors (waived for OW/ODSP and low-income seniors) and a small dispensing fee. If your medication isn't on the ODB formulary, the full price applies.

My doctor prescribed a drug ODB doesn't cover. What can I do?
Ask about a covered alternative, OR apply for an Exceptional Access Program (EAP) override. Our pharmacy prepares EAP requests regularly — talk to us.

I'm 64. Should I switch to Trillium now or wait for ODB?
Depends on your current drug costs. If you're on multiple medications, Trillium can save you money this year. We'll review your prescriptions and tell you straight.

Related services

Free MedsCheck | AutoRefill program | Transfer your prescription | Talk to a pharmacist