The Government of Canada
opens up simplified process for all dental care providers to
provide care to CDCP members
MONTRÉAL, July 9, 2024
/CNW/ - The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is one of the largest
social programs in Canadian history and, once fully implemented,
will provide dental care for up to 9 million eligible Canadians. As
of today, more than 2.1 million Canadians have already been
approved under the Plan and almost 250,000 members have
received care under the CDCP.
The Government is taking action to make it easier for oral
health providers, including dentists, dental hygienists, denturists
or dental specialists, to treat patients and submit CDCP claims.
The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and
Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec
Regions, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport and
Quebec Lieutenant, and Patricia
Lattanzio, Member of Parliament for
Saint-Leonard–Saint-Michel, visited an oral health care provider
and highlighted that eligible children under the age of 18, as well
as adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit Certificate, can now
apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
Now that applications for the two new groups of Canadians are
open, more than 1.2 million additional people will be able to
access improved dental care. This means that approximately 938,000
children and close to 183,000 adults with a valid Disability Tax
Credit certificate will have more affordable access to the oral
health care that they need.
During the visit, the ministers in attendance and the Member of
Parliament for Saint-Léonard–Saint-Michel also emphasised that
eligible providers will be able to provide care to CDCP patients,
whether or not they formally sign up as a CDCP participating
provider.
To date, close to 12,000 providers have signed up to the
CDCP and more continue to join every day. We have heard that
some providers prefer not to formally sign on to the program, but
would still like to see CDCP patients. Starting today, eligible
oral health providers in Canada
can now provide services to CDCP clients on a claim-by-claim basis
without formally signing up.
To limit out-of-pocket costs for CDCP patients, providers seeing
a CDCP patient will need to agree to bill Sun Life directly and
accept payment for services covered under the CDCP, regardless of
how they choose to participate. Once a claim is approved, providers
will receive reimbursement from Sun Life within 48 hours initially,
and we will move towards a 24-hour turnaround time.
This means that Canadians covered by the CDCP will be able to
see the provider of their choice, as long as their provider agrees
to bill Sun Life directly. For those who don't already have a
provider, they can talk to a dentist, dental hygienist, denturist
or dental specialist in their community or consult Sun Life's CDCP
Provider Search tool to find providers who have confirmed their
participation in the CDCP.
CDCP patients may have to pay additional charges, in addition to
their co-payment, if applicable, depending on the services received
and the cost of the treatment. Before receiving any services, CDCP
patients should always ask their provider about any additional
costs that won't be covered by the plan.
Providers play a vital role in delivering dental care, and the
CDCP is allowing more Canadian residents to benefit from their
care.
The Government of Canada is
committed to working with partners to improve access and provide
more affordable dental care to eligible Canadians across the
country. Thanks to the CDCP, nearly nine million Canadians will be
able to benefit from more affordable care.
For more information, visit Canada.ca/dental.
Quotes
"Broadening access to the Canadian Dental Care Plan to children
under the age of 18 and adults who hold a Disability Tax Credit
Certificate is excellent news for all regions of Quebec. By ensuring that Canadians have access
to oral health services, we are contributing to the general
well-being and vitality of communities across the country."
The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada
Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic
Development Agency of Canada for
the Regions of Quebec
"Investing in our young people means investing in our future.
That's what we're doing, not only with the Canadian Dental Care
Plan, but also by setting up a National School Food Program,
investing to create more childcare places and helping young people
save money to buy their first property. We continue to deliver for
Quebecers by taking concrete action that makes a real
difference."
The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez
Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant
"With one of the highest participation rates in the country, the
Canadian Dental Care Plan is already doing a lot of good right here
in Quebec and in
Saint-Léonard-Saint-Michel. With
this latest expansion, which will reach an additional 1,2 million
Canadians, we're happy to continue making sure that even more
people have access to the care they need!"
Patricia Lattanzio
Member of Parliament for Saint-Leonard–Saint-Michel
"Having a healthy, pain-free smile makes a world of difference
to a person's physical and mental health. Today is an important day
for those covered under the CDCP because this new participation
option will be crucial in meeting and supporting the high demand
for oral health services. This is something every Canadian
deserves."
The Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
Quick Facts
- The claim submission process is the same regardless of how the
provider chooses to participate in the plan – they can submit
claims directly to Sun Life and be reimbursed either by Electronic
Funds Transfer (EFT) within 48 hours (moving toward a 24-hour
turnaround time) if they have a Sun Life Direct account, or by
receiving a cheque on a monthly basis.
- For providers who have formally signed up, there is no change
or impact to their participation or how they file claims.
- CDCP provider participation is entirely voluntary. Oral health
providers eligible to participate and who can bill for services
include:
- dentists
- denturists
- dental hygienists
- dental specialists
- For more information on how providers can participate or see
CDCP patients on a claim-by-claim basis, please visit
Canada.ca/dental or Sun Life.
- Oral health providers can find information on how to submit
claims as well as a side-by-side comparison of the two provider
participation options here.
- To qualify for the CDCP, you must be a Canadian resident with
an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000, not have access to
employer/pension-sponsored or private dental insurance and have
filed your 2023 tax return.
- The CDCP is now open to eligible seniors, adults with a valid
Disability Tax Credit certificate, and children under 18. All
remaining eligible Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64
will be able to apply online in 2025.
- Those who successfully apply to the CDCP will receive a welcome
package within approximately three months of their application,
which will include the coverage start date (benefit effective
date). You can track the status of your application online.
Associated Links
- Canadian Dental Care Plan – Apply
- CDCP Provider Search Tool
- OHAF Call for proposals
SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions