Your Pension and Benefits Liaison: Information for retired members of the federal public service pension plan, issue 17

On this page

• Changes to the Pensioners’ Dental Services Plan administrator
• Can I coordinate my benefits under the Pensioners’ Dental Services Plan?
• A dispensing fee cap is now in effect under the Public Service Health Care Plan
• Register online today for the new Public Service Health Care Plan Member Services website!
• Subscribe to the Compensation Email Notification System!
• Have you experienced any recent life changes?

Changes to the Pensioners’ Dental Services Plan administrator

Can I coordinate my benefits under the Pensioners’ Dental Services Plan?

If you are a PDSP member and you have dental coverage under another plan, other than the PDSP (such as your spouse or common law partner’s plan), you may be eligible to coordinate your benefits and receive up to 100% of the eligible dental expenses.

Coordination of benefits between two PDSP members is not permitted, as a PDSP member cannot be enrolled as both a member and a dependant.

Which plan pays first?

• If you are claiming expenses for your spouse or common- law partner and they are covered for those expenses under another plan, the claim must be sent to your spouse or common-law partner’s plan first.
• If you are claiming expenses for your children and they are covered under your spouse or common-law partner’s independent plan and the PDSP is under you, you are required to claim under the plan of the parent with the earlier birthday (month and day) in the calendar year first.

For more information regarding coordination of benefits, consult the PDSP member booklet or visit www.canada.ca/pension-benefits.

A dispensing fee cap is now in effect under the Public Service Health Care Plan

As of July 1, 2023, Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) members are now covered for up to $8, reimbursed at 80%, for pharmacy dispensing fees. Dispensing fees are charged by pharmacies to cover services such as storing and preparing medication, prescription verification, medication reviews to check for interactions and patient counselling. All pharmacies charge a dispensing fee; however, they can vary in price from one pharmacy to another.

Exceptions may apply to some provinces/territories due to pharmacy regulations. Consult your pharmacist for more information.

Note: The dispensing fee cap does not apply to biologic or compound drugs.

For more information, please consult the previous PSHCP Bulletins at www.pshcp.ca/articles/category/bulletins or visit www.canada.ca/pension-benefits.

Register online today for the new Public Service Health Care Plan Member Services website!

Want immediate access to your claim history, coverage and balances, electronic PSHCP benefit card or to be able to submit your claims online for quicker reimbursement? Create your PSHCP Member Services account at www.canadalife.com/pshcp to gain access to all these features and more!

Subscribe to the Compensation Email Notification System!

The Compensation Email Notification System provides important and timely general information about the public service pension and benefits plans, based on your preferences.

The emails are sent directly to your inbox so you can easily access information that is relevant to you.

If you have not already, subscribe today at www.canada.ca/pension-benefits.

Have you experienced any recent life changes?

Contact the Government of Canada Pension Centre at 1-800-561-7930 to inform them of any changes which could affect your benefit coverage levels, death benefit beneficiary, or banking information. The Pension Centre will be able to provide you with the appropriate form and determine how long it will take to make the changes.