Salmon Arm residents expecting free coverage under the federal government91裸聊视频檚 new dental plan may wish to readjust their expectations.
The new Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP), a $13-billion program resulting from an agreement the federal Liberals struck with the NDP two years ago to prevent an early election, began rolling out to people aged 70 and up on May 1. When fully implemented in 2025, the program is expected to provide dental coverage to as many as 9 million low- and medium-income families.
According to the B.C. Dental Association (BCDA), as of Wednesday, May 1 around 15 per cent of the province91裸聊视频檚 dentists had registered to take part in the program. The only two in Salmon Arm. One of them is Dr. Elizabeth Kovalcik, who experienced 91裸聊视频渘o problems at all91裸聊视频� Wednesday with qualifying patients or the federal portal used to determine what and for how much a patient is covered through the CDCP.
91裸聊视频淵esterday was our first day 91裸聊视频� it went fantastic,91裸聊视频� said Kovalcik. 91裸聊视频淭he portal did not crash. My understanding is a million claims went through and it didn91裸聊视频檛 crash.91裸聊视频�
One hurdle Kovalcik and staff did face was explaining to patients that their CDCP coverage would not cover 100 per cent of their dental bill. She explained staff would provide an estimate of what the visit would cost, and was then quickly able to determine how much of that would be covered under the federal program. However, CDCP doesn91裸聊视频檛 cover fees under the fee guide prescribed by the BCDA.
91裸聊视频淧eople need to understand, I bill the provincial fee guide,91裸聊视频� said Kovalcik. 91裸聊视频淭hey don91裸聊视频檛 pay the provincial fee guide, so every appointment you91裸聊视频檙e going to you have to pay the difference. We really clearly explained that to people. It went very well.91裸聊视频�
Kovalcik called the CDCP91裸聊视频檚 fee guide 91裸聊视频渃omplex,91裸聊视频� and noted there are certain limitations and things 91裸聊视频渢hat are off the table.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淧eople have to be aware that even if they91裸聊视频檙e 100 per cent covered under that system, they are not 100 per cent covered if the dentist is billing under the provincial fee guide,91裸聊视频� said Kovalcik. 91裸聊视频淣ow keep in mind, I91裸聊视频檓 not required, I91裸聊视频檓 private industry, I don91裸聊视频檛 have to stick to the provincial fee guide. I have a right to bill as I choose. I go by the provincial fee guide. Most do. Or very close.91裸聊视频�
The Observer called the offices of several Salmon Arm dentists not yet registered with the CDCP. Staff at each explained they are not opposed to the program, but wish to have more information before signing on.
91裸聊视频淭he biggest thing is we just don91裸聊视频檛 have the information, and as soon as it91裸聊视频檚 made available, our provincial associations will get that information out to us as soon as possible so that providers can then make an informed decision about where we91裸聊视频檙e going with this,91裸聊视频� commented one office manager who asked not to be named.
Other concerns shared locally revolved around the limitations of CDCP coverage and compensation, as well as the relatively short process leading to the program91裸聊视频檚 initial roll out. Kovalcik agreed a better job could have been done by the federal government.
91裸聊视频淚 like the Canadian Dental Association and our provincial associations and I think they could have done a better job working with us but they didn91裸聊视频檛 and we91裸聊视频檝e got what we91裸聊视频檝e got,91裸聊视频� said Kovalcik. 91裸聊视频淭here would have been better ways to deliver it and better ways to explain it to people. They initially came out with things like it91裸聊视频檚 free91裸聊视频� It91裸聊视频檚 not like medical, it just isn91裸聊视频檛.91裸聊视频�
Those from other dental offices who spoke with the Observer said they were waiting on further guidance from the BCDA.
The BCDA said it91裸聊视频檚 onboard with the plan, but wants to make sure its members have enough information to make an informed decision on participating.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e providing the information we91裸聊视频檝e been given by Health Canada91裸聊视频� and we91裸聊视频檙e advising members to decide on their own to see what the Canadian Dental Care Plan has currently, if it makes sense for their practice, for their patients, and make a decision accordingly,91裸聊视频� said the BCDA.
Kovalcik said her office is treating the CDCP as it does individual insurance plans which typically have limitations to what and how much is covered.
91裸聊视频淚 think the important thing for people with the plan is they need to understand if the dentist is charging their fees off the provincial fee guide, it will not cover everything and I think that91裸聊视频檚 the hardest part to communicate,91裸聊视频� said Kovalcik.
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