After paying for dental care for children, the Liberal government announced Monday how seniors will also have access to the new Canadian Dental Care Plan in 2024, under its agreement with the New Democratic Party (NDP).
The federal government will pay part or all of the bill for Sun Life dental insurance for low-income seniors starting in May 2024, for the first eligible. These are people who are 87 years or older, who are invited to register from December 2023, as long as their family income does not reach $90,000 per year and they do not already benefit from a insurance.
Canadians over 65 will be able to gradually register, by age group, until May 2024. Those with an annual income greater than $70,000 will have to pay a 40% share; this rises to 60% for those who earn between $80,000 and $89,999 per year. It is mandatory to have filed your income tax return to benefit from this coverage.
Minors and disabled people
Children and adolescents under the age of 18, as well as people living with a disability, will finally be able to register for the program in June 2024. The government will inform eligible people by mail in the coming months. All other low-income residents of Canada are expected to be eligible in 2025.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDSP) is gradually coming into effect until fall 2024, meaning some eligible people will have to wait until then to make an appointment for a cleaning, filling or treatment channel.
The RCSD replaces the Canada Dental Benefit, which consisted of checks sent to the poorest parents since last year to pay the dentist bills of their children under 12 years old. $13 billion is earmarked for this program over the next five years, starting in 2023-2024. Its price is expected to reach $4.4 billion per year thereafter.
This public dental care coverage is part of the agreement concluded between the Liberal Party of Canada and the NDP in 2022. This agreement allows the Liberal minority government to ensure the support of NDP MPs during key votes in the Communal room.
The Liberals had promised the NDP that the government would launch the insurance plan for seniors, children under 18 and people living with disabilities in 2023.
Although it will still be several months before many eligible people can register and begin receiving care, NDP health critic Don Davies said Sunday that his party is delighted to be able to begin to implement a concrete program before the deadline.
All uninsured Canadians below the family income threshold should be eligible for the plan in 2025.
Moving on to Health this summer, Minister Mark Holland will make the official announcement during a press conference Monday morning, accompanied by Minister of Citizen Services Terry Beech, Minister of Public Services Jean-Yves Duclos and from Seniors Minister Seamus O’Regan.
With The Canadian Press