Surgeon General Message: Federal Health Claims Processing Services contract procurement

September 6, 2024 - Defence Stories

The Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) provide a wide range of health benefits and services to members: coverage of medical and dental treatment, preventive health care and supplies, prescribed drugs, and other treatments provided by health professionals.

While healthcare services are provided to serving members primarily through CAF clinics, they can also be outsourced to provincial healthcare systems, institutions, and private practitioners due to staffing shortages or required specialization (e.g., MRI, cardiovascular treatment, eye examinations, etc.).

Medavie Blue Cross (MBC) has held the Claims Administrator contract with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) since 1989, with CAF and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) joining in 1999. As the current contract will expire, VAC (with the support of the CAF and the RCMP) has initiated the procurement process to ensure Federal Health Claims Processing Services (FHCPS) continue delivery of health benefits and services to Veterans, RCMP, CAF, and other eligible members.

The procurement process has been open, fair, and competitive, and there will be no changes to CAF members’ benefits and service throughout this process. If you currently have claims to file, please visit the FHCPS clerk at your local CAF clinic.

The provision of high-quality healthcare to our CAF members remains our top priority, and this competitive process will help ensure the standard of care is maintained.

Merci, Thank you, Meegwetch,

• Major-General Scott Malcolm
  Canadian Armed Forces Surgeon General