Prepare for the New Dental Contract
Starting November 1, 2024, both the Public Service Dental Care Plan (PSDCP) and the Pensioners' Dental Plan will transition to a new contract - both with Canada Life. These plans cover most eligible PIPSC members in the Core Public Administration and at Separate Agencies, as well as eligible retirees from these employers. This is an administrative change that does not affect coverage. To ensure the plan administrator's records are up-to-date, all covered members must complete positive enrollment. This step is essential to ensure the plan administrator has accurate and current information on file.
How to Maintain Coverage (PSDCP)
Online Account Holders: If you already have an online account, visit Canada Life’s PSDCP Member Services website to update your contact information, including your mailing address.
No Online Account?: If you don’t have an online account, you can call Canada Life’s PSDCP Member Contact Centre at 1-855-415-4414 between 8 am and 5 pm in your local time zone to confirm your personal information.
Starting in the late Summer, Canada Life will reach out via email, phone, and/or mail to provide you with instructions on how to positively enrol. You must complete this very simple housekeeping measure to maintain your dental benefits. If you are not contacted by October, please reach out to Canada Life directly.
More information can be found on the Treasury Board's web page and the Canada Life web page about the contract change.
How to maintain Pensioners' Dental Plan Coverage
A similar process will occur concurrently for retirees covered by the Pensioners' Dental Plan, which is administered by Sun Life. Please note that Canada Life will become the administrator of this plan, taking over from Sun Life, on November 1st 2024. Ensuring your Sun Life records are correct will mean Canada Life receives the correct information when they need to contact you to enrol. Dental claims should be submitted to Sun Life until October 31st, after which, all claims should be sent to Canada Life. The date of the expense does not matter - only the date on which you are submitted the claim. Note that your policy number will change.
PIPSC Supports Proactive Measures
Positive Enrollment is an important tool to keep plan premiums affordable and records accurate. PIPSC is pleased with these proactive steps to ensure the transition to the new dental contract is smooth and avoids the issues experienced during the Public Service Health Care Plan’s switch to Canada Life. The Treasury Board appears to have learned valuable lessons from that experience and union officials are in close contact with employer officials to monitor progress.
Plan Changes
Significant improvements to the PSDCP were tentatively announced. Additional information on plan changes will be published when finalised. A review of the Pensioners' Dental Plan, which is led by the designated representative for retirees - the National Association of Federal Retirees, is also underway. Updates on that plan review process will be made available by NAFR as they progress.