How to use your dental care plan

Review the steps below to fully understand your dental care plan.

Note: You shouldn’t pay the full cost for services covered by the CDCP. Your oral health provider will send the claim to Sun Life for you. Sun Life cannot pay you back for services that should have been billed through the plan. You only need to pay any required co-payment and any costs for services that aren’t covered by the CDCP.

Before each appointment:

1. Make sure your coverage is active and know your co-payment level (the percentage of CDCP covered fees.)
   • Your first appointment can be on or after your benefit effective date (coverage start date).  You can find your benefit effective date in the determination letter you received from the government of Canada, in your welcome package, or on your My Sun Life account. 
   • Your coverage details may change over time. Claims are assessed based on your eligibility and co-payment level in effect on the date of service. You can check your coverage details on your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) or by calling Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342.
   • Note: Your member card only displays your CDCP member ID, as your benefit effective dates and co-payment level may change over the course of your coverage. Your member ID is unique to you and your card can be used as long as your coverage remains active.
2. Find an oral health provider:
   • You can see the provider of your choice, but you need to confirm that they accept CDCP members, agree to bill Sun Life directly, and can receive direct payment from Sun Life for CDCP-covered services. Sun Life cannot reimburse CDCP members directly for services that should have been billed through the plan. You are only responsible for paying any applicable co-payment, services not covered by the plan, and any fees charged by oral health providers that may be different than those established by the CDCP.
   • If you need help finding a provider near you, use the CDCP Provider Search tool, call your local provider, or call Sun Life at 1-888-888-8110.
   • Depending on the type of oral health care you need, you may wish to seek treatment from an independent dental hygienist, a denturist, a dentist and/or a dental specialist, including those in dental school clinics.
3. At each appointment:
   • Bring your CDCP member ID (shown on your member card, determination or renewal letter from the government of Canada, and most CDCP correspondence), as well as a piece of photo identification.
   • Talk about care, treatment, and any costs not covered by the CDCP with your provider. You can decide what services you choose to accept.
   • Your provider can submit an estimate to Sun Life to confirm which services are covered, outline the expected co-payment costs (if any), and inform you of any charges not covered by the plan
4. Cost and claim payment:
   • Remember, you shouldn’t pay the full cost for services covered by the CDCP. Your oral health provider will send the claim to Sun Life for you. Sun Life cannot pay you back for services that should have been billed through the plan. 
   • The amount covered by the CDCP may be different from what your oral health provider charges. You might have to pay for certain services directly to your oral health provider when:
     • your dental services cost more than what the CDCP covers; or
     • you choose treatments that are not covered by the plan.
   •  Make sure you understand what is covered and any additional costs not covered by the plan. what you may need to pay before excepting services. If you have any questions about your plan, please, call Sun Life at 1-888-888-8110.