Dentists can bill for federal dental plan patients without signing up for program, government says – CBC

Dental associations have said the requirement was a barrier for some oral care providers

Apr 17, 2024

The federal government announced Wednesday that oral health care providers who provide services to Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) clients can bill the insurance company directly without formally signing up for the program.

In early April, provincial dental associations told CBC News that Ottawa was requiring dental care providers to sign contracts to join the program, something no other public or private plans require.

Some dental association presidents said Ottawa had not provided enough information about the program.

They also said the contract requirement made some oral health providers refuse to participate in the public dental care plan.

The CDCP is set to start providing coverage next month.

Starting in early July, oral health providers can bill Sun Life — which manages the dental care program — for services on a claim-by-claim basis without signing up for the CDCP.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/dental-plan-mark-holland-1.7176565