My Vision for My Future, Employment & Income
Creating Your Vision for the Future
Create your vision for your future by exploring where and how you want to live. Gather your thoughts, as well as photos, quotes, or phrases that capture where and what you want to be doing in 3, 5, 10 and 20 years or more. Create a digital or print collage of your vision including your expressed wishes for:
- Daily activities, hobbies, sports, music, social activities, and entertainment.
- Travelling, sports, and recreational activities.
- Ideas for self-care and wellness practices.
- Goals for education, meaningful work/career, and if interested, volunteering or giving back to your community.
- Ways to be involved with friends, family, pets, and social activities.
- Planning for your family, dependent children, and caring for other family members.
- Where and how you want to live (home ownership, rental, or other).
- And anything else you consider important to your vision for the future.
Once completed, add these page(s) to your Mywell Health planning binder or digital files. Revisit your vision annually and adapt as life brings changes.
Planning for Your Employment & Income
Regardless of your age or health, it is important to balance your health needs and career goals. Be realistic in your choices. Consider these questions and discuss them with your care partners, career counsellors, or mentors.
Career Path. Does your career choice align with your personal interests or passions to keep you motivated and fulfilled? Does it provide adequate financial income to meet your health and lifestyle needs?
Job Flexibility. Does the job offer flexible hours or the ability to work from home or remotely? Can you adjust your schedule for medical appointments or sick days? Is part time work an option?
Work Environment. Does the work environment offer accessibility for your condition? Does the work environment offer supportive policies and make accommodations for your specific needs? Are you comfortable discussing your health needs with your employer or a human resources professional?
Health Benefits. Does the employer provide health benefits for treatments, medications, or therapies? Are mental health benefits or Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) available? Does your employer offer a pension or financial contributions to self-savings for retirement?
Physical & Emotional Demands. Are the physical demands (such as standing, lifting, or travelling) manageable for your condition? Are accommodations available for demanding tasks? How stressful is the job, and can you manage stress without worsening your health?
Work-Life Balance. Does the job allow a healthy balance between work, managing your health, and doing other things you enjoy? Does it offer time off for rest or flare-ups?
Advancement Opportunities. Does the career offer growth without compromising your health? Are there flexible career paths or role changes as your health needs evolve?
Disclosing Your Health or Disabilities to Others
Searching for a job or maintaining employment can feel more challenging when you live or are newly diagnosed with a chronic health condition, disability, mental illness, or substance use challenges. Many people worry about stigma, discrimination, or being treated differently at work. You may find yourself asking whether you should disclose your health condition, when the right time might be, and how much information you should share.
A disability can be defined as a condition or illness—visible or invisible, episodic or continuous—that affects a person’s physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental functioning. Disabilities may include physical or sensory disabilities (such as mobility limitations or vision or hearing loss), mental health conditions (including substance use disorders), developmental or learning disabilities, brain injuries, and chronic health conditions such as arthritis, hepatitis C, diabetes, or multiple sclerosis.
Disclosure is a personal decision. There is no single “right” approach, and what you choose may depend on your health needs, the job requirements, and your comfort level. Understanding your options can help you make an informed decision.
- Understand your health needs and how your condition affects your energy, concentration, mobility, or ability to complete certain tasks. Knowing your needs can help you identify what accommodations may be helpful.
- Recognize your strengths from living with a health condition such as resilience, adaptability, creativity, and problem-solving. These strengths can be beneficial in the workplace.
- Review the duties, expectations, and work environment so you can determine whether any supports or adjustments might be needed.
- Know that disclosure is usually optional unless it can affect workplace safety to yourself or others or your ability to perform essential job duties.
- Know that some people disclose during the hiring process, others after they are hired, and some only when accommodations are needed.
- Request reasonable accommodations if needed. These might include flexible scheduling, modified duties, remote or virtual work options, assistive technology, or a quieter workspace.
- Know that in BC, human rights legislation requires employers to make reasonable efforts to accommodate employees’ health needs and disabilities.
- Ensure that employers and human resources personnel protect your privacy.
- Review resources or tools about disclosing your disability or health condition to help you prepare for conversations with employers and better understand your options.
“Maya sat at her kitchen table, a notebook open beside her morning tea. At thirty-eight, Maya’s life had shifted suddenly. Just three months earlier, she had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The news had been overwhelming, but now she was beginning to think about the future—especially her career. She knew that balancing her health needs with her career goals and lifestyle was key.
Knowing that medical appointments and occasional flare-ups would be part of her reality, Maya realized her work hours needed to be flexible. She considered working remotely or part-time to help manage her energy levels and medication side effects. She also inquired whether these options were feasible with her current employer and if accommodations were available.
Health benefits had become very important to her—more than ever since her diagnosis. She knew she needed to explore coverage for medications, therapies, and mental health support. Most importantly, she wanted a career that matched her passions and kept her feeling fulfilled, while also providing enough income to support her treatments and daily life.”
Tip
Learn about accessibility and accommodations in educational and training and workplace settings. They are in place not to label people but to offer assistance in a fair and equitable way.
Adult Toolbox
Using Your Phone
Notes app to write down your concerns and changing employment needs.
Contacts app for employers, human resources & career mentors.
Cloud storage of important documents (like Disclosure Guidelines) into your Mywell Health files.
Planning for My Health Care Costs
Understanding the Medical Services Plan (MSP)
It is important to plan for your health and care costs when living with long-term health conditions. Whether is it diabetes (requiring daily monitoring, pumps, and insulin) or advanced Multiple Sclerosis (requiring personal in-home care), you need to plan for your needs and the costs associated with them.
The BC/ Canadian government has programs to help pay parts of your health care costs. This is where you need to be a good consumer. Look into what you need and how it can be paid for. Start with the government programs.
Covered by Your Medical Services Plan
- Know that the Medical Services Plan (MSP) is a government funded program for eligible residents.
- Know that MSP usually covers your medical services like physician, nurse practitioner, and specialist visits, lab tests (but not all), and urgent or hospital care.
- Know that when you get your BC Services Card, you’re automatically enrolled in the Medical Services Plan (MSP), which gives you your Provincial/ Personal Health Number (PHN).
- Know that your PHN is how your health and other services are tracked and paid for by the government.
- Learn about which vaccinations (also called immunizations) are also covered by MSP.
- Ask your health professionals if their services and treatments are covered by MSP before you book your visit.
Not Covered by Your Medical Services Plan
- Learn about what is covered by your MSP and what is not. Check out these list “What is Covered by Your MSP and What is Not”. from the Government of BC. The word ‘covered’ means that you do not pay for services.
- Know that many services you may rely on for your therapy or self-care are not covered by MSP like acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy, counselling services, and more.
- Know that MSP also ‘does not cover’ your medications, dental care, eye care, or medical assessments or letters (like for driving, employment, or disability applications).
- Review what the Medical Services Plan (MSP) and PharmaCare may not cover when travelling outside of BC and consider purchasing travel insurance that includes coverage for pre-existing health conditions.
Getting & Using Your BC Services Card
- Start the process online or go to a Service BC office with your identification (birth certificate, driver’s license and/or passport).
- Know that the BC Services card is a government-issued identification card for residents of BC. It serves as both a personal ID and access to provincial government services – in-person, online and on your phone.
- Check out how to set up your BC Services card online or watch the video.
- Check out the other government programs that you need a BC Services card like Health Gateway (your health information), My Services Canada Account (for grants and benefits), and more. Here is a link to the complete list needing a BC Card Login.
Using PharmaCare to Help Pay for Your Medications
Registering for PharmaCare
- Know that Fair PharmaCare (PharmaCare) is a provincial program that helps cover the cost of prescription medications, dispensing fees, and some medical supplies for BC residents.
- Understand that the program is income-based, assistance is based on your family’s net income over the past 2 years—the lower your income, the more assistance you may receive.
- Recognize that you share the cost of medications, with you paying a portion and the BC government paying the rest.
- Present your BC Services Card or Personal Health Number (PHN) at the pharmacy so the pharmacist can check your eligibility and apply coverage automatically at the pharmacy counter.
- Register for Fair PharmaCare to ensure you receive the correct deductible and benefits, as coverage is not always automatic.
- Complete registration only once while consenting to an annual income verification with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
- Include all eligible household members in your registration, as a “family” may include a single person, a couple, or a couple with children who have active MSP coverage.
- Register online through the BC government website Pharmacare or call 1-800-663-7100 to apply and have your PHN ready.
Coverage by PharmaCare
- Know that PharmaCare generally only helps cover prescribed medications by a physician or nurse practitioner.
- Ask your pharmacist what medications are covered before filling a prescription to avoid unexpected costs.
- Know that some contraceptives (oral contraceptive pills, hormonal and copper IUDs, contraceptive implants, hormone injections, and emergency contraception) and menopause therapies—may be covered at no cost.
- Learn about Special Authority medications, which require your physician or specialist to request approval from PharmaCare before the program can cover all or part of the cost.
- Explore additional PharmaCare plans and government-supported programs, such as Plan G (psychiatric medications), Plan C (income assistance recipients), Plan P (palliative care), Plan Z (contraceptives and opioid addiction treatments), and Plan NP for select menopausal hormone therapies (MHT)—including oral progesterone, vaginal estrogen, and topical estrogen.
- Check whether other government-supported programs can help with costs for services such as stop-smoking prescriptions, diabetes medications, opioid use disorder treatments, and some medical devices or supplies.
Accessing Secondary/ Extended Health Benefits
In addition to MSP and PharmaCare, there are options that may help reduce your health and lifestyle expenses. Secondary coverage also referred to as extended health benefits, private insurance, or other supplementary government programs. Exploring multiple sources of coverage can help ensure you receive the financial support you need.
- Review your existing health benefits package and record what items are covered and at what percentage and if there is an annual maximum amount.
- Consider purchasing private health insurance to help cover services such as dental care, vision care, prescription medications, physiotherapy, or counselling. Monitor usage that your annual fees are not greater that your services cost.
- Apply for government income or disability assistance programs if you have limited or no income and need additional financial support.
- Explore your eligibility for disability-related benefits that may help cover the cost of medical equipment, mobility aids, home supports, transportation, and other health-related services.
- Look into condition-specific programs, grants, or support funds offered by health organizations or charities for people living with certain illnesses or chronic conditions.
- Confirm your eligibility for Indigenous health benefits if you are First Nations or Inuit, as additional health services and supports may be available.
- Explore claiming eligible health-related expenses through the Medical Expense Tax Credit when filing your income taxes.
- Ask your pharmacist about lower-cost generic medications or medication review programs that may help reduce prescription costs.
- Access community health clinics or non-profit organizations that provide free or low-cost or sliding-scale services such as counselling, physiotherapy, or dental care.
- Investigate medical equipment lending programs through community organizations that may provide items such as wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility supports.
- Contact local health authorities or community service agencies to learn about transportation assistance programs for medical appointments.
Tips for Recording Your Health Benefits
Seeking extended health care benefits in BC involves combining MSP coverage with optional private or government-subsidized plans. Whether from an employment or pension plan, government programs, or private insurance – keeping track of your health-related expenses and benefits can help you manage your costs, understand your coverage, and claim eligible expenses on your income taxes.
- Keep all receipts for medical expenses such as prescriptions, dental visits, therapy sessions, and medical equipment.
- Record any reimbursements received from extended health benefits, private insurance, or government programs such as PharmaCare.
- Save statements or explanations of benefits from your insurance provider that show what was paid and what you paid out-of-pocket.
- Document travel and transportation costs related to medical appointments, including mileage, public transit, or accommodation if required for treatment.
- Log costs for over-the-counter medications, medical supplies, or assistive devices that may qualify as medical expenses.
- Know that you can ask your pharmacist for annual summaries of your prescriptions or services if available.
- Keep records of payments for services such as physiotherapy, counselling, massage therapy, dental or vision care, or other health professionals.
- Use a notebook, spreadsheet, or budgeting app to track health-related expenses monthly.
- Organize documents in your Mywell planner/ binder or in a digital file folder for easy retrieval.
- Review your records at the end of the year to determine which expenses may qualify for the Medical Expense Tax Credit.
Make a list of all your health benefits. Include the following information and save it in your Health contact list.
- Type of benefit or insurance (Dental, PharmaCare, Private Insurance, Government Benefits)
- Name of Carrier/Company/Source
- Plan Number
- Contact Person, Phone, and Email
- List of Services
- Coverage Amount (% or amount per service, deductible, and annual maximum).
- Personal Notes
“At thirty-four, Alex was still adjusting to life with Crohn’s Disease. Working full time was no longer possible, and part-time hours meant money would be tight. Before applying for financial help in BC, Alex realized there was a lot to organize first. Sitting at the kitchen table with a laptop, notebook, and a growing stack of papers. The first step was confirming coverage through the Medical Services Plan (MSP) and making sure their BC Services Card was active. Physician visits, most tests, and hospital treatments were covered. Next, Alex reviewed their Fair PharmaCare, what prescriptions were covered, for what amount and learned it depended on past income reported to the Canada Revenue Agency. They also learned some Crohn’s medications needed approval through PharmaCare Special Authority, which required forms from a specialist. Slowly, Alex built a paper and digital financial folder including copies of identification, banking information for direct deposit, tax records, and pharmacy receipts. Getting organized made the next step—applying for support—feel possible.”
Tip
In BC, a health condition is considered a disability if it greatly limits a person’s ability to do everyday activities for a long time or permanently. The definition is based on both legal and medical criteria. It is this definition that determines the kind and amount of government support a person can receive.
Adult Toolbox
Using Your Phone
Photos app for screenshots of your BC Services Card, PHN, and SIN.
Contact app to list benefit and insurance providers.
Notes app to list your medications and any issues with coverage/ costs.
My Financial Team & Applying for Support
Working on My Finances
Having a Financial Support Team
Building a financial support team with trusted people who have the right knowledge and skills can make your financial planning, money management, and applying for benefits and programs more successful.
- Talk to people you trust about your wishes for the future and your financial concerns.
- Reach out to family members or care partners who have expertise in financial planning and budgeting. Consider people who are retired or a relative who could support you at no charge.
- Get help, if needed, from a trusted family member or care partner with day-to-day finances, banking and paying bills on time, if needed.
- Learn about the differences in roles and skills between an accountant and a financial planner.
- Work with an accountant to ensure your income tax is filed every year. Know that an income tax assessment is required for most government benefits and services.
- Discuss whether you need a power of attorney (POA) or enduring POA and make sure the person named understands your financial wishes.
- Check whether you have a realistic budget that includes all your sources of income, living expenses, housing, activities, and health care costs – now and into your future.
- Ask what benefits or supports you may be eligible for, such as government programs, workplace benefits, or insurance.
- Consider how Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) uses a Personal Support Network – to help support and guide adults with disabilities or special needs in their living, finances, and legal decisions. This type of network can be helpful to all people needing support, especially if family is not available.
- Know that a valid Will, reviewed by a notary or lawyer, can ensure your financial wishes are carried out on your behalf.
- Add your financial team members to your phone’s contact list.
Applying for Financial Benefits & Programs
You have the right to apply for programs and services you are eligible for. Many health conditions are not visible but can still limit what you are able to do, so it’s important to learn what supports are available to you. Applying for financial support can be overwhelming. The rules, forms, and language can be hard to understand, and each benefit or program has its own eligibility requirements. Getting direction from a professional or someone who has been through the process can be very beneficial.
- Review your income and determine what assistance is needed such as housing, equipment, supplies, medications, transportation, or other.
- Have your Health Profile up to date and share your health journey in confidence with those helping you with applications.
- Make sure you have ID, like photo ID, your Social Insurance Number (SIN), and your Personal Health Number (PHN) are accessible for applications.
- Set up online accounts, such as My Service Canada Account and your BC Services Card.
- Ensure to file your income taxes every year as many benefits are based on the tax information submitted by your household over the previous 2 years.
- Apply online whenever possible, as it is easier to track and follow-up on applications.
- Save copies or screenshots of applications, letters, and confirmation numbers.
- Set calendar reminders to renew benefits or reapply when needed.
- Update your information if your income, address, or health situation changes.
- Check what programs you might qualify for such as Income Assistance, Disability Assistance, Fair PharmaCare special programs, GST credit, Disability Tax Credit, or others.
- Make a list of the programs & benefits you are eligible for. Read all the details and call support lines for assistance as needed.
Exploring Your Eligibility for Benefits & Programs
Applying for financial support can be overwhelming. The rules, forms, and language can be hard to understand, and each benefit or program has its own eligibility requirements. Getting direction from a professional or someone who has been through the process can be very beneficial.
Summary Tools
For an overview of benefits, eligibility criteria, and more – check out
- Pathways to Benefits from the Government of Canada. Table of benefits in BC and Canada.
- Benefits Canada Finder to see what matches your needs.
- BC Disability Help Sheets from Disability Alliance BC in multiple languages.
Specific Benefits/ Grants/ Programs
Explore those that match your eligibility and need.
- Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in BC for financial assistance and medical benefits for those who are eligible.
- Long Term Disability Insurance, if you have been employed and are facing a new serious physical or mental illness or injury that prevents you from working.
- Canadian Disability Pension Plan for people under 65 years with prolonged physical or mental disability contributing to CPP.
- Canadian Disability Benefit for people under 65 years.
- Disability Tax Credit for people with severe or prolonged health issues or their caregivers.
- Home Owners Grant reduces property taxes for those eligible.
- Registered Disability Savings Plan for future expenses.
Dear Client,
Managing your finances when dealing with health-related expenses can feel overwhelming, but careful planning can help you stay organized and reduce financial stress. As your accountant, I encourage you to keep clear records of all health and lifestyle costs throughout the year. This includes prescription medications, dental care, vision care, therapy services, medical equipment, therapies, housing, and transportation. Maintaining detailed records can help you understand your spending.
Having your financial records organized is also very helpful when applying for government subsidies or assistance programs you may be eligible for. Many programs require proof of income, expenses, or tax filings, and having this information readily available can make the application process easier and faster. I recommend creating a simple system for organizing receipts and documents, such as a dedicated folder, spreadsheet, or budgeting app. Finally, consider building a financial support team. This may include your accountant, a financial advisor, social worker, or benefits coordinator who can help you navigate programs and manage expenses effectively.
Sincerely,
Your Accountant
Tip
Create a network of people who have the expertise to help support and guide you with your living, finances, and legal decisions.
Adult Toolbox
Using Your Phone
Cloud storage to access your Health Profile.
Photos app for screenshots of your BC Services Card, PHN, and SIN.
Contact app of financial professionals and benefits/ insurance agents.
Notes app to list your medications and any issues with coverage/ costs.
