CDCP

Just like the Manitoba Government, The Canadian Federal Government is leaving those who are low income and who have severe physical disabilities, to fight for basic human needs.

The fairly new implemented Canadian Dental Care Plan, needs more communication and less confusion.

Here’s my situation:

Sometime back, I had applied and got notice that I was enrolled in the in the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
The time had arrived, where I needed a wisdom tooth pulled. After the procedure was complete, I left the dentist office, to go home rest and recover.  A couple weeks later I received a bill in the mail saying I owe $400.00

I was then informed by my dentist that she thought that EIA (Employment & Income Assistance) was still paying for my dental procedures which they did cover a portion. The dentist then submitted the remaining amount to CDCP (CDCP did say I had a 100% coverage).  

Sunlife said they were not going to cover the anesthesia portion. Even though, I’m low income and have a lifelong physical disability, SunLife still said no. 
I had to pay the $400.00, out of my own pocket. This forced me, to tighten my already extremely tight monthly budget. I am currently appealing SunLife’s decision not reimburse me the money.

Side note- When EIA looked after my dental benefits, 100% of whatever I needed done was covered and the process ran very smoothly.

Then the other day, I had a check and clean scheduled. The dentist told me, that I was to be on the hook for the entire cost of the check and clean ($375.00.) Reason being was because SunLife declined to cover, because my coverage had run out (I had renewed my coverage when I got the letter in the mail saying it needed to be renewed) and I needed to re-apply. I was given no notice, that my plan was going to be expiring. I never heard anything from Sunlife, so I thought my coverage was renewed. It was not. So, I re-applied again for the CDCP. Also, I had to start the renewal process from the very beginning, which is long and very tedious.

In the meantime, I had to cancel my check and clean because I cannot afford it.

Canada, we must do better!