FAQ – Public Service Health Care Plan

General

Q1. Who is the contractor for the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP)?

Canada Life Assurance Company is the contractor for the Public Service Health Care Plan.

Q2. How can I apply for the Public Service Health Care Plan?

Veterans and survivors who wish to apply for the PSHCP must first apply for eligibility using the Public Service Health Care (PSHCP) Eligibility for Clients of Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) application form (VAC630). Once you receive an approval letter from VAC for the PSHCP, you will be instructed to complete positive enrolment and pre-authorized debit forms with Canada Life. There is no need to send forms to Canada Life forms before you are approved by VAC.

Q3. Is there a waiting period before my Public Service Health Care Plan coverage starts?

As per the National Joint Council’s rules, if you apply for Public Service Health Care Plan coverage within two months (or 60 days) of being approved for:

  • Canadian Armed Forces Long Term Disability (CAF LTD) or,
  • VAC’s Rehabilitation Services,

your coverage effective date will be the first day of the month following the approval of your Public Service Health Care Plan application date.

Note: Survivor applicants must meet the following two (2) criteria to avoid the three-month waiting period:

  • The application for coverage must be submitted within 60 days of the Veteran’s death; and
  • The Veteran must have had Family coverage at the time of their passing.

If a Survivor is approved, but does not meet the criteria, their coverage will being on the first day of the month following a three-month waiting period from the application date.

Q4. I was just approved for the Public Service Health Care Plan through Veterans Affairs Canada. What do I need to do for my coverage to be active?

For your coverage to begin, you must complete the Positive Enrolment process. You can:

If needed, you can also request that the form be mailed to you by contacting Canada Life by email or by phone at 1-855-415-4414.

The Positive Enrolment is necessary to set up your account and your Pre-Authorized Debit (banking information) with Canada Life. Your coverage will not be active, and you will not receive a benefit card until you complete the Positive Enrolment and Pre-Authorized Debit forms with Canada Life.

If Canada Life does not receive the Positive Enrolment and Pre-Authorized Debit information before the 20th of the month in which you were approved, Canada Life will not be able to obtain your first premium payment on time. You will be required to pay the missed premiums in order for your coverage to be active.

Q5. What does positive enrolment mean?

Positive enrolment means that you have to do something to enrol. It is a mandatory step in accessing your benefits under the Public Service Health Care Plan. It requires Plan members to provide information about themselves and their eligible dependants so that Canada Life can maintain your member file and process your claims.

As part of this process, you will have to provide your banking information to Canada Life and consent for them to deduct your monthly premium payments.

Q6. I have PSHCP coverage but am unsure if it is through VAC.

If you are receiving PSHCP coverage through VAC, you will see monthly premium deductions in your bank account. VAC plan members will also have a certificate number that starts with V50 or V59.

If coverage is through your pension, you can call the CAF Pension Centre toll free at 1-800-267-0325.

Q7. Why did I receive an enrolment package from Canada Life?

All active plan members must complete Positive Enrolment with Canada Life for their coverage to be active. You can:

Q8. How can I confirm that Canada Life has received my positive enrolment and banking information?

If your PSHCP coverage is through VAC, please call Canada Life at 1-855-415-0001.

Q9. I was approved for Public Service Health Care Plan coverage but never got my benefit card. What should I do?

To get your Public Service Health Care Plan benefit card, please complete the Positive Enrolment. You can:

If needed, you can also request that the form be mailed to you by contacting Canada Life by email or by phone at 1-855-415-4414.

Once you have completed the Positive Enrolment process with Canada Life, you will receive a letter from Canada Life with your paper benefit card. If these steps are not completed, your application may be cancelled.

Q10. Can I get a plastic Canada Life benefit card?

To reduce its carbon footprint, Canada Life will only be providing paper benefit cards. Members can use their web browser to log on to My Canada Life at Work and access their benefit card. Members may also choose to take their paper benefit card to their local Staples or library, for example, to have it laminated.

Q11. What are the rates for coverage?

The monthly contribution rates are in Appendix C of the National Joint Counsel website: Schedule V – Monthly Contribution Rates (njc-cnm.gc.ca). Please note that rates are subject to change.

Q12. When Canada Life withdraws a premium payment, how will it show on my bank statement?

When a premium payment is withdrawn from your bank account, your statement will state "Canada Life INS".

Q13. My coverage was suspended due to non-sufficient funds or bank account issues. What do I need to do?

To prevent your coverage from being cancelled for non-sufficient funds, please ensure that there are sufficient funds in your bank account for 3 premium payments to be withdrawn.

If you are having issues with your bank account, please call Canada Life at 1-855-415-0001 to confirm whether they have your correct banking information. You may be instructed to provide new financial information to Canada Life. This can be done by completing the Pre-Authorized Debit form and return it to Canada Life by mail to:

Canada Life
BAS DG1227
P.O. Box 6000 Station Main
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3A5

The Pre-Authorized Debit Form can be downloaded on the Canada Life website. You can also request assistance submitting the forms by contacting Canada Life by email or by phone at 1-855-415-4414.

Q14. My coverage was suspended because I did not complete positive enrolment with Canada Life. What can I do?

To prevent your coverage from being cancelled, you must complete the Positive Enrolment process as soon as possible. You can:

If needed, you can also request that the form be mailed to you by contacting Canada Life by email or by phone at 1-855-415-4414.

Q15. I have Public Service Health Care Plan coverage from another organization (i.e., as a Public Service, DND pensioner or as a Public Servant). Can I qualify for PSHCP through VAC?

No. You do not qualify for PSHCP through VAC if you are accessing the PSHCP through another organization (i.e. as a DND Pensioner, as a Public Servant, or as a Public Servant Pensioner). The VAC Client Group for the PSHCP provides Group Health Insurance to those who do not otherwise have access to PSHCP coverage.

Q16. Will VAC be informed if I have coverage from another source?

Yes. Canada Life does provide information to VAC if you have more than one certificate number for PSHCP.

Q17. What should I expect if I have been identified as having access to PSHCP outside of Veterans Affairs Canada?

If you are identified as having access to PSHCP outside of Veterans Affairs Canada, you will be contacted by a VAC representative to discuss your specific situation. Each situation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Q18. Does Veterans Affairs Canada have access to the details of my coverage from another source?

No. Veterans Affairs Canada does not have any information regarding the details of your other coverage. If you would like more information about your other coverage, it is recommended that you reach out to your compensation advisor or pension office.

Q19. Why was my coverage cancelled?

Your coverage was cancelled for one of the following reasons:

  • Canada Life did not receive your positive enrolment and pre-authorized debit information;
  • you missed making three contribution payments; or
  • you are accessing PSHCP coverage from another organization (i.e. as a Public Services, DND pensioner or as a Public Servant).

Q20. How can I cancel my Public Service Health Care Plan coverage?

You can cancel your Public Service Health Care Plan coverage at any time by completing a (VAC754) cancellation form and submitting it via My VAC Account or mail:

Veterans Affairs Canada
PO Box 6000
Matane, QC G4W 0E4

Q21. Can I re-apply for the Public Service Health Care Plan if my coverage was cancelled?

Yes, you can re-apply at any time. If your coverage was cancelled, you can re-apply with VAC using the Public Service Health Care (PSHCP) Eligibility for Clients of Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) application form (VAC630).

As per the National Joint Council’s rules, if you are approved, there will be a three month waiting period before your coverage begins.

Your coverage will start on the first day of the month following that three month period.

Q22. How can I change my information for the Public Service Health Care Plan?

To make changes to types of coverage (supplementary/comprehensive); levels of coverage (single/family); or hospital provision (level I, II or III), please complete the (VAC755) amendment form and submit it via My VAC Account or mail:

Veterans Affairs Canada
PO Box 6000
Matane, QC G4W 0E4

To make changes to your address, you can use your web browser and log on to My Canada Life at Work, email Canada Life, or call Canada Life at 1-855-415-0001.

To add or remove dependents to your coverage, you can use your web browser to log on to My Canada Life at Work, or visit Canada Life and download a copy of the PSHCP positive enrolment. When completing the forms, you must choose: “I have already done my positive enrolment and need to make a change”.

Return the forms to Canada Life with the required changes. You can also request to have these forms be mailed to you by contacting Canada Life by email or by phone at 1-855-415-4414.

Note: Updating your VAC direct deposit information does not update your Public Service Health Care Plan information.

Plan members must update their banking information by submitting a new pre-authorized debit form to Canada Life, which can be downloaded on the Canada Life website. You can also request that these forms be mailed to you by contacting Canada Life by email or by phone at 1-855-415-4414.

Q23. I submitted a VAC441 direct deposit form to update my banking information. Does that also update my information for premium deductions for the Public Service Health Care Plan?

Plan members must update their banking information by submitting a new pre-authorized debit form to Canada Life. This can be downloaded on the Canada Life website. You can also request that these forms be mailed to you by contacting Canada Life by email or by phone at 1-855-415-4414.

Q24. Where should I send my claims?

All claims should be sent to Canada Life.

Q25. I do not agree with the decision about my claim. How can I appeal?

The Appeals process is available to all members of the Public Service Health Care Plan. If you do not agree with a decision about your claim, you may send a letter of appeal to the Administration Authority for review.

Q26. I have a concern with my coverage, who do I contact?

If you have a question about your premium withdrawals or banking issues, you can email Canada Life or call them at 1-855-415-4414. If you are not satisfied with your coverage you can submit an appeal directly to the Public Service Health Care Plan.

Q27. I have other questions about the Public Service Health Care Plan. Where can I go for answers?

For all other questions, please check the Public Service Health Care Plan general FAQs.

Q28. Is my coverage changing?

Information about the improvements and changes can be found at canada.ca/pension-benefits.

Q29. Does the VAC Public Service Health Care Plan offer dental care coverage?

Regular and preventative dental care such as teeth cleaning, exams, orthodontics, fillings, etc. are not included in the VAC Public Service Health Care Plan. Only dental treatment as a result of accidental injury is covered by the Public Service Health Care Plan.

Q30. I live outside of Canada. Can you take my monthly premium payments from my foreign country bank account?

Unfortunately, no. Monthly premium payments must be taken from a Canadian bank account.

Q31. For income tax purposes, can VAC provide me my total annual Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) contribution amount?

If you are a Québec PSHCP member, you must claim your total annual PSHCP contribution payment amount when filing your taxes.

If you are an approved PSHCP member living in Québec on the last day of the calendar year, VAC will send you a “Relevé 1” tax form.

If you are an approved PSHCP member living outside Québec on the last day of the calendar year, you will not receive information on your total annual PSHCP contribution amount. In this case, you can find this information from your bank statements.

Relief provisions

Q32. What is the PSHCP Relief Provision?

Supplementary Relief coverage is available to pensioners residing in Canada who joined the PSHCP as a pensioners on or before March 31, 2025 and are in receipt of a Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or who have a net income or a joint net income (e.g., you and your spouse or common-law partner) as reported on your income tax Notice of Assessment(s) that is lower than the GIS thresholds established for the Old Age Security Act.

Q33. How do I apply?

Please complete and sign the PSHCP Relief Provision Application Form and submit it via My VAC Account or mail:

Veterans Affairs Canada
PO Box 6000
Matane, QC G4W 0E4

Q34. What if my income increases and I am no longer eligible for the PSHCP Relief Provision?

If you are no longer eligible for the PSHCP Relief Provision, your PSHCP contribution rate will be adjusted to reflect the standard PSHCP retired member cost sharing ratio for the Supplementary coverage in the second month following your income validation.

Q35. Can I re-apply if my participation in the PSHCP Relief Provision was declined or terminated?

Yes, you can re-apply. To do so, you will need to complete and send us a new PSHCP Relief Provision Application Form.

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