Message from the Surgeon General

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Spectrum of Care document was first published on 21 December 1998 to describe the health benefits and services available and publicly funded for CAF members and other eligible persons. It is published by the Surgeon General under the authority of Chief Military Personnel (CMP) and is updated regularly.

The CAF Spectrum of Care document provides direction to CAF health care providers, Base/Wing Surgeons, Dental Detachment Commanders, CAF chain of command and CAF members. It authorizes the use of public funds to ensure that CAF members have access to a standard of health services that is comparable overall to that received by Canadians under provincial health care plans. Inclusions and exclusions apply everywhere in Canada and abroad, regardless of what health services are covered by provincial or allied health plans. The Spectrum of Care’s primary focus is not on equity with the provinces, but rather on operational benefit: i.e having the right person available for operations with the right level of health fitness.

The Spectrum of Care Committee must represent CAF operational needs and is chaired by Assistant CMP with representation from all three Environments. Its recommendations must be endorsed by CMP, presented at least annually or as required to Armed Forces Council (AFC) and Program Management Board (PMB), and may result in Memoranda to Cabinet if necessary to ensure that resources are allocated to support Spectrum of Care decisions.

Decisions to include or exclude a health service are based upon the following five principles:

• the treatment, service, or item adheres to the scientific principle of evidence based medicine; this principle would eliminate any new medical procedures or remedies that have not been adequately investigated and scientifically found to provide a significant health benefit (e.g. homeopathic remedies);
• the treatment, service, or item is necessary for the purpose of maintaining health and mental well-being or preventing disease; it permits the diagnosis or treatment of an injury, illness or disability;
• the treatment, service, or item is not for purely experimental, research or cosmetic purposes;
• the treatment, service, or item is funded by at least one province or federal agency; this principle is in keeping with Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) criteria; and
• the benefit sustains or restores a serving member to an operationally effective and deployable status.

Requests for amendments, additions, or deletions of health services must be addressed through the CF Health Services chain of command to Director Medical Policy or Director Dental Services as applicable.

The Spectrum of Care document consists of guidelines that are regularly updated in response to changes in technologies and in provincial health care plans. It does not constitute a list of rights, and the final decision as to whether or not a service is provided, approved, and/or funded for a specific CAF member is made by the applicable senior medical or dental authority.

A.M.T. Downes, CD
Brigadier-General
Surgeon General
Commander CF Health Services Group

(Reviewed June 2018)