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Keeping you up to date

 News and updates Open Communiqué 1 PDF | 0.19 MB

Welcome to your first edition of the Public Service Dental Care Plan (PSDCP) Communiqué

On November 1, 2024, the Public Service Dental Care Plan (PSDCP) transitioned to a new contract with Canada Life™. We are happy to continue to be your plan administrator. Our goal is to implement modernized services and provide you with the efficient service you expect. We are excited to introduce the first edition of this annual newsletter providing you with news and updates on emerging topics and clarifying important PSDCP dental benefit information.

The new PSDCP Member Booklet has everything you need to know about your PSDCP. View or download a copy by visiting the Your plan page of the PSDCP Member Services website. 

Improvements and changes to your PSDCP benefits came into effect on January 1, 2025. Canada Life is responsible for ensuring that claims are handled and paid in accordance with the PSDCP Rules. The changes are outlined below for services incurred on or after January 1, 2025.

PSDCP improvements

Benefit type        

Details
Annual maximum reimbursement amount

Increased from $2,500 to: 

  • $3,000 per year starting January 1, 2025 
  • $3,250 per year starting January 1, 2027 

Note: For claims incurred on or prior to December 31, 2024, the annual maximum of  $2,500 will be applied.

If a member’s coverage starts on or after July 1, the maximum amount reimbursed for that year will be 50% of the annual maximum:  

  • $1,500 between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025 
  • $1,625 between July 1, 2027, and December 31, 2027
Lifetime orthodontics maximum reimbursement  amount

Increased from $2,500 to: 

  • $3,000 starting January 1, 2025 
  • $3,250 starting January 1, 2027 

Before January 1, 2025, the orthodontic lifetime maximum was $2,500. If you claimed $2,500 for orthodontic services, you may be eligible to claim up to the new lifetime maximum on services incurred on or after January 1, 2025.

Major restorative services
  • The percentage of coverage for services such as crowns, inlays, onlays, dentures or bridges has increased from 50% to 65% for eligible expenses.
  • There is no longer a 60-month replacement frequency limit for a replacement crown if treatment is deemed necessary by the treating dental service provider and Canada Life concurs. 
  • A crown will be reimbursed if the damaged tooth is assessed by the dental service provider and concurred by Canada Life to likely worsen within a reasonable timeframe. 
  • The age limit for coverage for dental services and supplies for congenitally missing teeth has increased from under age 21 to under age 23.
Preventative services 

 The age restriction for routine services of pit and fissure sealants has been removed.

  • Cleaning frequency limitations will be suspended temporarily for those who will be or are undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer. The suspension will be effective for 12 months from the date Canada Life is informed. After 12 months, if a need exists to continue suspending the limitation, Canada Life must be notified to request an extension.

Leave without Pay 
  • Members on authorized leave without pay can pay their contributions upon returning  to work.
  • Members on extended parental leave and caregiving leave no longer need to pay the Employer contribution to maintain coverage while on leave.
New PSDCP benefits

Benefit type        

Details

Tomography

Including but not limited to cone beam computed procedures.

Anesthesia

 For use in oral surgery, or any eligible service, including situations where there is a documented mental health illness or developmental disorder for the safety of the patient or dental provider.
Injections, appliances and assessments For those that have temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
Services no longer covered

Benefit type        

Details

Analysis of mixed dentition

 If a complete oral examination was performed in the preceding 12-month period.
Tooth isolation in preparation for root canal Should be included in the cost of the root canal. However, coverage will not be denied if a substantiated medical condition justifies treatment.
Adjustments to space maintainers Within the first 31 days.

To learn more, please visit the Pension and benefits website or consult your PSDCP Member Booklet. 

Reminder: Complete or validate your positive enrolment information

As part of the new contract, PSDCP members must be enrolled with Canada Life’s systems. To help with the transition to the new contract, Canada Life completed the initial positive enrolment for all eligible plan members. If you received your positive enrolment confirmation notice, please simply validate your information. If you have not received this notice or are new to the PSDCP, you must complete positive enrolment yourself. This will ensure your claims are processed quickly and correctly.

Keep your positive enrolment information up to date

It is your responsibility to keep your information up to date. You can update your positive enrolment information with Canada Life in one of two ways: 

  1. Sign in to your PSDCP Member Services account through My Canada Life at Work™, go to Your profile and update your information directly. 
  2. Download and print a PSDCP Positive Enrolment Form from the Forms page of the PSDCP Member Services website or call the PSDCP Member Contact Centre at 1-855-415-4414 in North America or collect at 1-431-489-4064 if internationally, to request a paper version of the form be sent to you by mail.

How to update your preferred first name

A preferred first name is any name you choose to use other than your legal name, such as a nickname or chosen name. For example, you may wish to shorten your first name (e.g. Steven to Steve), be referred to by your middle name, or choose another name altogether (e.g. Stephanie to Steven) as an act of self-determination. Should you provide Canada Life with a preferred first name, it will not be shared with your employer but will be used in all communications from Canada Life.

There are three ways to update your preferred first name:

  1. Sign in to your PSDCP Member Services account and update your positive enrolment information under Your profile. Please allow 1 to 2 business days for the change to display online.
  2. Print, complete and sign a PSDCP Positive Enrolment Form from the Forms page of the PSDCP Member Services website.
  3. Call the PSDCP Member Contact Centre to request a paper version of the form be sent to you by mail.

Be aware of fraudulent phishing emails

We have identified a number of fraudulent emails that are being sent to some plan members, falsely claiming to be from Canada Life. The safety and security of your personal information are our top priorities, and we want to ensure you are aware of this situation so you can take precautions.

Many of these emails look very similar to ones sent by Canada Life; often referring the member to claim a refund or update their information. Please be vigilant and be reassured that Canada Life will:

  • Never ask you to share personal information by email.
  • Never ask you to send us money or give us your bank details through email or over the phone.
  • Only send claim payments directly to your bank account or by issuing you a cheque.

If you have received an email from an unknown email address claiming to be from Canada Life and notice grammar errors and urgent language, these could be signs of a phishing attempt. Do not interact with the email by clicking on any link, downloading attachments or replying to the sender.

Call the PSDCP Member Contact Centre if you are concerned you may have received a phishing email or have questions.