Health care for reservists

Class A or Class B type of Reserve Service (180 days or less)

If you are serving on a Class A or Class B type of Reserve service of 180 days or less that is considered as a short-term period of service, you will receive health care for injury or illness attributed to your performance of duty based on the following four considerations:

• Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) personnel will evaluate and care for your immediate health needs for that particular injury or illness until you can be transferred safely to a civilian health care provider.
• For any other health care needs not attributable to your service or a chronic medical condition, you must consult civilian doctor.
• DND will continue to cover the Spectrum of Care benefits related to your injury or illness that exceed provincial or territorial health care coverage.
• When in doubt, consult CAF health authorities through your chain of command.

Class B type of Reserve Service (181 days or more)

CFHS will provide the same health care benefits as a Regular Force member if you are serving:

• on a Class B type of Reserve service of 181 consecutive days or more, or
• on two consecutive short term periods of Reserve service which total 181 consecutive days or more without a break in service.

Class C type of Reserve Service

CFHS will provide you with the same health care benefits as a Regular Force member if you are serving on a Class C type of Reserve service.

Report your injury or illness

If you become ill or injured, it’s important that you report this because it may affect the services and benefits available to you and your family. To report and document an injury, a disease, or an exposure or suspected exposure to toxic substances, use the Form CF 98 Report of Injury, Disease or Illness. (This Form is available via the DND forms catalogue.)

Compensation entitlement for travel to and from a medical appointment

As a Reservist, you may be eligible for compensation for approved health-related travel. If you must travel to get care for an injury or illness attributable to the performance of duty, you could be compensated regardless of your type of Reserve service employment. Consult the Canadian Forces Temporary Duty Travel Instructions. When in doubt, ask your Orderly Room administrative staff to provide a copy of the applicable article of the health-related travel directives or policies.

Each Base and Wing has its own process for health-related travel. Some bases will provide transportation. Generally, once you have received a referral from the CAF medical centre, the medical centre referral clerk or your Orderly Room staff will confirm which method of travel is authorized and which expenses are eligible for reimbursement. Always ensure you have received approval to travel before travelling to your appointment.

Pay entitlement while attending a medical appointment

Reservists attending medical appointments as part of a treatment plan recommended by the Medical Authority and approved by the chain of command are considered on duty. As such, you are entitled to pay when getting care for an injury or illness attributable to the performance of duty.

Other benefits, programs and social services

If you have suffered any injury, disease, or illness which is attributable to military service and this health problem continues beyond the period of service during which it occurred, you may be entitled to benefits, programs, or non-medical social services intended to help you recover from this problem. To learn more, consult our Helpful Information document entitled Compensation for ill and injured Reservists.

The Military Benefits Browser provides a quick reference to information on benefits for which you may be eligible. You may also wish to consult the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) website to obtain information about other possible benefits and services.

Class A or Class B type of Reserve Service (180 days or less)

Class A or Class B reservists who become ill or injured while on duty can report to a primary care or mental health clinic during business hours to obtain CAF Health Services. This is the case even if your illness or injury is not attributable to the performance of duty.

However, health care provided by the CAF will be limited to your immediate medical needs. This means that the CAF will provide care only until you can be transferred safely to your civilian health care provider. For any other medical needs unrelated to your Reserve service, you must consult your civilian health care provider.

Class B or Class C type of Reserve service (181 days or more)

If you are serving on a Class C or Class B type of Reserve service, the CFHS will provide you with health care benefits that are similar to those of a Regular Force member. This is the case even if your illness or injury is not attributable to the performance of duty. However, your service must total 181 consecutive days or more. This can include two consecutive short term periods of Reserve service which amount to 181 consecutive days without a break in service.

There may be limits to entitlements. When in doubt, consult CAF health authorities through your chain of command.

Report your injury or illness

If you become ill or injured, it’s important that you report this because it may affect the services and benefits available to you and your family. To report and document an injury, a disease, or an exposure or suspected exposure to toxic substances, use the Form CF 98 Report of Injury, Disease or Illness. (This form is available via the DND forms catalogue.)

Other benefits, programs, and social services

If you suffered any injury, disease or illness, you may be entitled to benefits, programs, or non-medical social services intended to help you recover such health problems. To learn more, consult our Helpful Information document entitled Compensation for ill and injured Reservists.

The Military Benefits Browser provides a quick reference to information about benefits for which you may be eligible. You may also wish to consult the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) website to obtain information on other possible benefits and services.