New federal dental insurance plan to be phased in over 2024

Eligible Canadians over the age of 87 will be the first cohort that will be able to apply for a new federal dental insurance plan as it is slowly phased in throughout 2024.

Health Minister Mark Holland announced the rollout of the program Monday morning, saying it is budgeted to cost around $13 billion over the next five years.

Though applications are expected to open as early as next week, it will be months until those enrolled will start claiming benefits, with the first claims expected to be processed in May.

The new insurance plan serves as a key pillar of the Liberal’s supply-and-confidence deal set with the New Democrats to secure the opposition party’s support on key votes.

That deal calls for a plan that would offer dental benefits directly to Canadian residents with a household income falling below $90,000 and who do not have private insurance.

The Liberals had promised the NDP that a federal insurance plan would be launched for seniors, children under the age of 18 and those with disabilities by 2024.

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Applications will first open to qualifying seniors over the age of 87. Eligibility will then slowly expand to include Canadians over the age of 65, followed by children under the age of 18 and people with disabilities.

Despite there being months until many eligible Canadians will be able to enroll and start receiving care, the NDP health critic Don Davies says his party is elated to have a concrete program in place by the agreed upon deadline.

Officials say that all Canadians who fall under the family income threshold are expected to qualify for the plan by 2025.

This report was created with files from The Canadian Press