(Ottawa) Conversations with Quebec remain “lively” for the federal dental insurance program as its progressive implementation begins. Seniors aged 87 and over can now register with Service Canada. The first covered dental care can be given as early as May.
Dental care is already covered in some provinces, such as Quebec, where children under 10 can have an annual exam and obtain other services for free. The Legault government wants to obtain a right of withdrawal with full compensation. Ottawa wants to ensure that this money will be used to expand dental care coverage covered by the Quebec plan.
The Trudeau government has planned $13 billion over five years from 2023-2024 and $4.4 billion thereafter for the establishment of the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
An official from the Ministry of Health indicated in an information session Monday that “lively” discussions were still underway with Quebec and the other provinces to determine who will be the first payer for the services that will be covered by the two orders of health. government.
Once this is determined, “clear instructions” will be sent to dentists who will participate in the public plan so that they can indicate who will be the first payer on the claim application.
People who are eligible will be able to register for the federal program by contacting Service Canada by telephone or online depending on their age group:
- December 2023: 87 years and over
- January 2024: 77 to 86 years old
- February 2024: 72 to 76 years old
- March 2024: 70 to 71 years old
- May 2024: 65 to 69 years old
- June 2024: disabled people and children under 18
Other eligible people will be able to apply in 2025. The information will be sent to Sun Life, the provider chosen by the government, who will complete the registration and send a welcome kit. The start date of the scheme will depend on the time of registration, but the first beneficiaries will be able to access it from May 2024.
They will have to meet four criteria to be eligible:
- Not having access to other dental insurance
- Have an annual family income of less than $90,000
- Be a Canadian resident
- Having completed a tax return the previous year
The federal dental program will cover preventive services (scaling, polishing, fluoride, sealants), diagnostic services such as exams and x-rays, restorative services such as fillings, endodontic services such as root canals, prosthodontics such as full or partial dentures, periodontal services such as deep scaling and oral surgery services such as tooth extractions.
Claims with Sun Life will be made by the dentist on behalf of the patient who may have to pay a deductible depending on their income. Thus, people who have a family income below $70,000 will pay nothing. Those whose family income is between $70,000 and $79,999 will have to pay 40% of the costs while it will be 60% for those whose family income is between $80,000 and $89,999.
The fee schedule will vary from province to province, but it will be different from the fee schedule of the provincial dental associations.
The Canada Dental Benefit, which has been in effect for a year for children under 12, will end on June 30, 2024.
More details to come.