Retired federal civil servants demand better dental coverage

Retirees from the federal public service denounce the fact that their dental insurance plan is less generous than that of civil servants still employed. A gap described by one of them as “atrocious”.

While all federal public servants, retirees and their dependents share the same medical and vision care plan administered by Canada Life, this is not the case for the dental care plan.

Current employees are covered under the Public Service Dental Care Plan (PSDHP) and retirees are covered under the Pensioner Dental Services Plan (PSDP)

The dental insurance plan for active civil servants was improved on January 1, notably with a cap on social benefits which increased from $2,500 to $3,000 per year. This ceiling must also be increased to $3,250 in 2027.

The dental care plan has been stagnating for decades. The last update was in 2005, when the annual benefit limit was set at $1,500.

What is our place? Why were we excluded?deplores Debbie Myersa retired civil servant. I don’t see why older retirees were left behind. It’s atrocious.

The retirees’ scheme has around 325,000 members in the country who pay contributions to benefit from coverage corresponding to half that of active civil servants.

Ms. Myers says she received about $13,000 worth of dental work over the past two years.

Even though a sum of $3,000 was assumed by the insurer, the retired public service employee was forced to draw on her savings.

I had two root canals [en 2024] and I underwent other procedures. It’s a lot of moneyshe said. I just couldn’t wait until the next year for my $1500 [offerts par l’assureur]. It’s really a joke. It’s simply incredible.

Furthermore, certain benefits granted to employees, notably implants, are not granted with coverage for retired civil servants.

Our teeth become fragile. For my part, I once ate something that wasn’t even hard and half my tooth broke offtold Dorothy Cushwayformer director of the National Association of Federal Retirees and active volunteer with seniors.

According to Ms. Cushwaythe situation is forcing some retirees to make difficult decisions regarding their oral health.

I’ve heard of people who simply don’t go to the dentist or who postpone an appointment until the following yearshe reported. There are people who simply have a tooth pulled instead of getting a crown. It’s cheaper.

In a statement sent to CBC News, the Treasury Board emphasized that the retiree dental plan is optional for retired members of the federal public service as well as their dependents. He adds that it covers certain services not covered by the provinces or territories.

Pensioner Dental Services Plan benefits are comparable to similar pension planswrites the Treasury Board. There are currently no plans to make any changes to the Pensioners’ Dental Services Plan benefits.

Some retirees are considering migrating to the national system

The new national insurance plan, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDSP), came into effect last May.

The taxpayer-funded program helps pay for dental procedures including cleanings, cavity repair and dentures, among others. It covers low- and middle-income Canadians who do not have access to private dental insurance, approximately nine million people.

People over the age of 65 who meet the criteria are currently eligible for the plan.

Several federal retirees have contacted CBC to complain about their dental insurance plan. Some say they are considering abandoning the private plan in favor of the national plan.

Since Ms. Cushway and Mrs. Myers both have access to a private dental plan, they were told they would not be eligible for the Canadian Dental Plan, even though the coverage is better.

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A national seniors’ advocacy group consulted with citizens across the country following the announcement of the national dental care plan.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan has long been requested by seniors in Canada. It meets a very serious neednoted Anthony Quinn, head of operations at the Canadian Association of Retired Persons.

But as we roll out this massive national program, there will certainly be obstacles and I think accessibility for those who have chosen to pay into a private health care plan will be one of themhe said.

He suggests that people who currently benefit from a private dental care plan should discuss with their insurer whether they could be eligible for the national plan in the event of withdrawal from the public service plan.

Mme Myers and Mrs. Cushway For their part, they want the Treasury Board to review and update the current plan.

I think this needs to change as soon as possible. It affects a lot of peoplesaid retired civil servant Debbie Myers.

With information from Kimberley Molina, CBC