The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which will partially cover the cost of the majority of essential dental health care services for Canadians without insurance, is now being rolled out by the federal government.
When the plan is completely implemented, up to nine million Canadians will have access to dental coverage. The intended audience is Canadians without dental insurance who make less than $90,000 annually as a family.
Seniors will be the first to apply when the procedure opens in stages.
How to apply
The federal government has started sending letters to anyone who might be qualified, urging them to apply for the plan.
Look out for one of these correspondences if you:
- will be 70 years old as of March 2024;
- have a family income of less than $90,000; and
- have filed your 2022 tax return.
The mail contains information on how to apply over the phone and verify your eligibility. Prior to May 2024, only seniors who receive a letter will be eligible to apply.
Expect to receive your letters on:
- December 2023: ages 87 and above
- January 2024: ages 77 to 86
- February 2024: ages 72 to 76
- March 2024: ages 70 to 71
Applications will be available online starting in May 2024 for seniors 65 and older who qualify, replacing the previous phone-only application process. When the portal launches, more details will become available.
Beginning in June 2024, Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate as well as minors under the age of eighteen, will be eligible to apply online.
In 2025, applications will be open to all other eligible residents.
After you have applied
If your application is accepted, Sun Life, the company in charge of running the plan on the government’s behalf, will send you a welcome package beginning in March. A member card and a start date for your coverage will be included in the package.
Seniors may begin visiting an oral health professional as early as May 2024, however the exact dates of coverage will depend on the time of year you apply, the date your application is received, and the completion of your enrollment.
What’s covered
Most routine dental procedures, including examinations, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, dentures, root canals, and some oral surgeries, will be partially covered by the plan.
A portion of the expense will be reimbursed by the CDCP at the predetermined fees of the plan. These are contingent upon the income level of the members; some may be required to cover the remaining cost out of pocket.
You should always inquire about any fees that will not be covered by the plan from your dental health professional before obtaining any treatment.
Learn more about the Canadian Dental Care Plan at https://newscanada.com/en/The-Canadian-Dental-Care-Plan-is-here–What-you-need-to-know-137821
Reference: https://newscanada.com/
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