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> Welcome
> Plan details > Joining the Plan
Joining
the Plan
Who
is eligible to join?
The
PSHCP applies to:
- federal
Public Service employees,
- members
of the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police,
- members
of Parliament,
- employees
of a number of designated agencies and corporations,
- persons
receiving pension benefits based on service in one
of these capacities, and
- their
respective dependants.
In
the case of members of the CF and the RCMP,
coverage is limited to their eligible dependants.
Is membership optional?
In
general, membership in the Plan is optional.
How do I join?
If
you are eligible and wish to:
- join
the PSHCP, or
- make
a change to your coverage,
complete the Employee Application,
Pensioner Application, or Veterans Affairs Canada Application and submit
to your Personnel or Pension office
(whether or not you are required to make a monthly contribution).
When
your application to join has been approved—and
whenever you amend your coverage—you will receive
a benefit card showing your Certificate Number and the
level of coverage you have chosen.
What do I do if I need a replacement
benefit card?
| If
you are an employee |
Through your Personnel office
From
Sun Life, by calling:
- Local
calls (National Capital area):
247-5100
- Long
distance: 1 888 757-7427 (toll-free)
|
| If
you are a CF pensioner |
By
contacting your Pension
office |
| If
you are a pensioner other than a CF pensioner |
From
Sun Life, by calling:
- Local
calls (National Capital area):
247-5100
- Long
distance: 1 888 757-7427 (toll-free)
|
Whether
you are an employee or a pensioner, you can also print
a benefit card from the Sun
Life Web site.
When does coverage begin?
If
you apply within 60 days of becoming eligible:
- the
first day of the month
following the month your Personnel or Pension
office receives your completed application form.
If
you apply more than 60 days after becoming eligible:
- the
first day of the fourth month following the
month your Personnel or Pension office receives your
completed application.
If
you cease to be employed and receive an immediate recognized
ongoing pension benefit, coverage continues automatically.
You must authorize, in writing, that the required deductions
will be taken from your pension cheque.
Can I change from single to
family coverage or vice versa?
If
you wish to amend your coverage from single to family
coverage as a result of acquiring a dependant
and you submit your application form within 60 days
of acquiring your new dependant, coverage will become
effective on the date of acquiring your dependant.
If
you do not apply to upgrade your coverage from single
to family within 60 days of acquiring a dependant, the
requested coverage will take effect on the first day
of the fourth month
following the month your Personnel or Pension office
receives your completed application.
Can I increase or decrease
my hospital coverage?
An
increase to the level of coverage under the Hospital
provision will be effective on the first day of the
fourth month
following the month your Personnel or Pension
office receives your completed application form,
unless you are applying to increase your coverage coincident
with an application to reduce your PSHCP coverage from
family to single.
The
three-month waiting period does not apply when the application
is received within 60 days of:
- acquiring
a dependant,
- ceasing
to be covered under a provincial/territorial insurance
plan or vice versa and the member
wishes to transfer from Supplementary to Comprehensive
coverage or vice versa,
- an
employee
becoming in receipt of a recognized ongoing immediate
pension benefit,
- a
member
of the CF or RCMP
or a pensioner becoming employed in the Public Service,
and
- a
survivor or dependant
child(ren) of a deceased member becoming in receipt
of an ongoing recognized survivor's or children's
benefit.
Can
I cancel coverage?
Your
coverage
To
cancel your PSHCP coverage, request cancellation in
writing with your Personnel or Pension
office, and your deductions cease no later than
two months
after they receive the notification. Coverage continues
for one month after the month the last deduction was
made.
You
cannot cancel coverage retroactively.
If
you cancel coverage while on leave without pay, you
cannot reinstate coverage until you return to duty,
at which time a three-month waiting period will apply.
Dependants'
coverage
Your
dependant's
coverage ceases no later than two months
following the date that the application is received
by your Personnel or Pension
office. Deductions at the lower rate start the month
before the lower coverage takes effect.
Ordinarily,
when you cancel a dependant's coverage, you do not receive
a contribution refund. However, if your dependant dies
or deductions are not stopped when they are supposed
to be, your contributions will be refunded.
Can
I continue coverage while on Leave Without Pay?
When
you are on an approved Leave Without Pay (LWOP), your
PSHCP coverage continues unless you give notice in writing
that you want to opt out of the plan while on LWOP.
Any contributions for coverage while on LWOP may be
paid in advance or when your LWOP ends, whether due
to a return to work or ceasing to be employed in a manner
to be determined by the employer.
If
you do not pay the required contributions in advance,
you will be deemed to have opted to pay the contributions
retroactively on ceasing to be on LWOP.
Where do I call if I have
a question about eligibility?
Need
a form? Have questions about:
- your
eligibility?
- your
dependants' eligibility?
- your
effective date of coverage?
Contact
your Personnel or Pension
office.
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