Electronic benefit card soon available for civil servants

OTTAWA, July 15 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced that the Public Service Health Care Plan benefit card will soon be available for employees and pensioners. The sign-up process begins on July 15, 2010.

"I want to encourage all members of the Public Service Health Care Plan across the country to sign up for the new benefit card," said Minister Day. "By allowing the processing of claims electronically, this new card will streamline the process and improve services for members. The government will also benefit from saving millions of dollars per year over the long term."

The new benefit card means that members and their dependants will no longer have to complete paper claims to be reimbursed for eligible prescription drugs and medical supplies. Pharmacies will begin accepting the card as of November 1, 2010.

"This card will simplify the claim process for employees and retirees," said Daphne Meredith, the Chief Human Resources Officer. "All parties-employee, pensioner and employer representatives-have worked hard to make this benefit card a reality. I would like to thank all of those who made this happen."

Members will have to enrol with the plan administrator (Sun Life Financial) to obtain their new benefit card. They can do this by calling 1-877-283-1411 or by visiting www.sunlife.ca/enrolment_pshcp.

Employees and retirees will need to provide information about themselves and their eligible dependants (spouse or common-law partner and each eligible child) as part of the enrolment. Benefits will remain the same.

Information on the Public Service Health Care Plan can be found at the following websites:

    
    -  the Treasury Board Secretariat website at www.tbs-sct.gc.ca;
    -  the Public Service Pensions and Benefits Web Portal at
       www.pensionandbenefits.gc.ca; and
    -  the Public Service Health Care Plan Administration Authority website
       at www.pshcp.ca.
    

For further information, employees can also call 1-877-283-1411.

    
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    IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC
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This news release is available online at www.tbs-sct.gc.ca.

For further information: Mélisa Leclerc, Director of Communications, Office of the President of the Treasury Board, 613-952-5051; Media Relations, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, 613-957-2640