One of your family members has dental pain, you visit a family dentist, and find out how much different dental services cost. But don’t worry! If you know how to apply for and maximize CDCP benefits for family dental plans in BC, you can save a lot on costs while saving money. Let’s learn some tips and tricks to optimize your CDCP benefits, and walk you through how to apply for CDCP.
What is CDCP, and What Does It Offer for Family Dental Plans?
Canadian families who don’t have private insurance and have an adjusted family net income below $90,000 can use the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) to cover a percentage of their dental costs. CDCP is a federal initiative that makes dental care much more affordable for you and your family. It pays a percentage of dental services such as preventive care, diagnostic care, restorative care, oral surgery, prosthodontics, endodontic services, and limited orthodontics.
Don’t know the current status of your CDCP application? Visit the CDCP Status Checker to track your application status and resolve any potential issues.
Tips to Optimize CDCP Benefits for Family Dental Plans in BC
We understand that provincial dental fees in BC are often higher than those covered by CDCD, so you will need some tips and strategies to maximize CDCP benefits for family dental plans in BC.
1- Renew Annually
Don’t forget to renew your CDCP coverage every year before it expires (usually June 1) and file your most recent tax return to prevent any problems in benefits. After you have filed the annual tax return and received your Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency, the will send you a renewal package from the Government of Canada.
2- Understand Fee Gaps
Well, dental fees are usually higher than what CDCP covers in BC, so you need to pay the difference to the dentist yourself. How much CDCP covers for dental services is national and does not differ across various provinces. So, before you receive the dental treatment or service, always ask the office to clarify the prices and the expected out-of-pocket amount.
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At My Dentist Langley, we provide comprehensive dental care and help you make the most of your CDCP benefits for family plans. Don’t wait, ensure your family’s oral health is covered and costs are minimized!
3- Know and Plan Around Your Co-Pay
If your family’s adjusted net income is below $70,000, CDCP will cover 100% of the fee. For incomes between $70,000 – $79,999, CDCP will pay 60% of the costs. Finally, for incomes between $80,000 – $89,999, CDCP only covers 40% and you need to pay a 60% co-payment. Try to plan expensive treatments in advance and do grouping procedures in a single visit to minimize co-payments.
Do you have a senior in your family who needs CDCP? Take a look at CDCP for Seniors to cut costs and save money on their dental treatments.
4- Focus on Preventive and Covered Care
In order to maximize CDCP benefits for family dental plans in BC, you can strategically reduce long-term dental issues and avoid future high costs by utilizing covered preventive services like regular check-ups, cleanings, sealants, and x-rays. These services are all covered by the CDCP, which can always prevent further issues and catch them early.
5- Communicate with Your Dentist
Always talk to your dentist about the CDCP and ask if they participate in it before scheduling any kind of services. This way, you can easily avoid billing surprises and maximize your benefits. When you inform the dental office about your CDCP coverage, they can check your eligibility and submit pre-authorization for some major procedures.
Want to know what dental services are covered by the CDCP? Check out CDCP Dental Services before scheduling your treatment.
6- Track Visits and Treatments
Don’t forget to track all your visits and treatments that are done under the CDCP, so you can avoid exceeding annual limits and manage your family’s dental benefits effectively. If you exceed the allocated annual benefit amounts, you will be responsible for additional costs. It also helps you space services across benefit years to maximize coverage.
7- Evaluate Alternatives for Non-Covered Services
It’s frustrating to schedule a service and then find out that it’s not covered by the CDCP. This plan does not cover services such as cosmetic dentistry, some advanced restorative techniques, and elective procedures that are not considered necessary medical or dental care. So, you can ask your dentist if there are less expensive alternatives.
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for CDCP
Now that you know about how you can easily maximize CDCP benefits for family dental plans in BC, let’s walk you through how you and your family can apply for CDCP.
- Check eligibility: Make sure you and your family meet the eligibility criteria (Canadian resident, annual household income under $90,000, no private dental insurance, and age between 18 to 64)
- Gather required documents: Collect proof of income (latest Notice of Assessment from CRA), identification documents (SIN, date of birth, full names), proof of residency, details of any other dental insurance if applicable, and Disability Tax Credit certificate (if eligible).
- Submit the application: Apply online via the official CDCP portal through your My Service Canada Account (MSCA). You can also apply by mail or through phone assistance if needed.
- Await approval: You receive a confirmation after submission. The review process can take several weeks, and if approved, you’ll get a letter detailing coverage, co-payment levels, and benefits.
- Access benefits: You can now book appointments with dental providers that accept CDCP, verify if your dentist participates in the plan, and use your benefits according to the plan guidelines.
Read more: “How to Apply for CDCP: Canadian Dental Care Plan Application Guide”
Learn How to Maximize CDCP Benefits for Family Dental Plans in BC to Save More!
You learned how to use the CDCP benefits to your advantage and optimize them for further reducing how much dental services cost. Apply for CDCP and protect the smiles of your family members! If you or one of your loved ones is experiencing severe dental pain, My Dentist Langley is here to provide fast care for urgent dental issues with trusted emergency dentists. Book an appointment at Emergency Dentist Langley.
FAQ
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Is my family eligible for the CDCP?
You or your family member must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, between 18 and 64 years old, and without private insurance. Also, don’t forget that your family’s adjusted net income must be below $90,000 CAD to be eligible for the CDCP (It still does not fully cover the cost and only covers a percentage based on the income)
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How can I maximize CDCP benefits for family dental plans in BC?
Renew your CDCP annually and file your most recent tax return, understand the fee gaps, know and plan around your co-pay, focus on preventive and covered care, communicate clearly with your dentist, track all your visits and treatment under the CDCP, and evaluate alternatives for non-covered services.
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How can I apply for the CDCP?
Check if you are eligible (Canadian resident, annual household income under $90,000, no private dental insurance, and age between 18 and 64), gather the required documents (such as proof of income, identification documents, and proof of residency), and submit the application through the CDCP portal, mail, or phone assistance.
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What if I have private dental insurance?
A person with private dental insurance through their employer, spouse, pension, or professional association is not generally covered by the CDCP. But provincial or territorial dental plans don’t usually disqualify you from the CDCP, and they can be a complementary option. Keep in mind to verify how your provincial dental benefits interact with the CDCP.
Have you tried using CDCP for your family dental care? Share your experiences or questions below and help others make the most of their benefits!
