In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada is implementing temporary measures for the administration of the Public Service Dental Care Plan (PSDCP) and the Pensioners’ Dental Services Plan (PDSP). These measures are designed to help lessen the impact of the suspension of non-emergency dental services and support the recommendations of public health authorities for physical distancing. These measures will be in effect for one year from a date determined by the Government of Canada once non-emergency dental services are again available. This date will be communicated once determined.
Note: All other PSDCP and PDSP provisions and coverage for members and eligible dependants remain the same during the COVID-19 pandemic. For additional information, consult the Public Service Dental Care Plan or Pensioners’ Dental Services Plan page on Canada.ca/pension-benefits.
Temporary extension of dependent children’s eligibility
The Government of Canada recognizes that coverage for some dependent children may expire during the suspension of non-emergency dental services preventing them from receiving required dental services or treatments.
Specifically, a dependent child may:
- reach the age of 21
- still be between the ages of 21 and 25 years, but no longer be attending an accredited school, college or university full time
- reach the age of 15, when they are no longer eligible for coverage for sealants
- reach the age of 21 for PSDCP participants or 19 for PDSP participants, when they are no longer eligible for coverage for the treatment of congenital or developmental malformations
The government is therefore implementing the following temporary measures for the PSDCP and the PDSP.
A child who was a plan member’s eligible dependant under the plan before March 15, 2020, will have their coverage as an eligible dependent extended if:
- the child’s age or educational status changed on or after March 15, 2020, such that they no longer meet the eligibility requirements under the plan
- the child attends a new appointment(s) for dental treatment within one year from a date non-emergency dental services are again available, as determined by the Government of Canada
For a dependant to be eligible for the temporary extension, the following must be provided to the appropriate plan administrator:
Paper claim form
Once the dental services are rendered, a paper claim form must be completed and submitted to the appropriate plan administrator.
This form must include:
- an explanatory letter that the claim is for dental treatment or services for a dependant under this temporary eligibility extension
- the plan member’s full name and address, including their postal code
- the plan member’s plan and certificate numbers
- the dental plan and certificate number of the plan member’s spouse or common?law partner, if applicable
- the dependant’s name and date of birth
- the plan member’s signature
- the appropriate section of the claim form completed and signed by the plan member’s dentist or dental practitioner stating the work performed during the appointment
How to submit your claim – PSDCP members
Canada Life (formerly Great-West Life) will accept paper claims for treatments or services under this temporary extension mailed to the address indicated on the PSDCP claim form. Canada Life will also accept a scanned copy of the completed paper claim form and accompanying documents uploaded electronically through the GroupNet website.
How to submit your claim – PDSP members
Sun Life will only accept paper claims for treatments or services under this temporary extension mailed to the address indicated on the PDSP claim form.
Important: An electronic claim submitted directly from a dental office or through the appropriate plan administrator website will not be accepted for this temporary extension.