Access to PSHCP for Reservists

All CAF Reserve Force members are eligible for PSHCP coverage. Learn more by consulting the CAF web page on “Your Eligibility” or the Public Service Health Care Plan Instruction Manual—CAF Chapter 1: Eligibility which is accessible only on the Defence Team Intranet. You may also contact your Human Resources Administrator (HRA).

As a Class A or Class B Reservist who is on NES service, you are not eligible for PSHCP coverage.

If your parent unit has placed you on NES, it must inform PSHCP about your status within one calendar month. Then the PSHCP will send a cheque covering any unused portions of your premium to your last known address.

Learn more by referring to the Public Service Health Care Plan Instruction Manual—CAF Chapter 7: Continuing Coverage which is accessible only on the Defence Team Intranet.

NES may have other implications for your career. Contact our office or your HRA for more information. 

1. Confirm your eligibility by referring to the Public Service Health Care Plan Instruction Manual—CAF Chapter 1: Eligibility which is accessible only on the Defence Team Intranet. You may also choose to contact your HRA. If you are a Unit Orderly Room staff member, write to PSHCP-RSSFP.questions@forces.gc.caor the CAF’s positional mail box at HealthandDental-SanteetDentaire@forces.gc.ca.

2. Submit your coverage request to your HRA, preferably by email. Your submission must include the following documents:

• If you are a Class C Reservist, your application must include a Public Service Health Care Plan—Employee Application form.
• If you are a Class B Reservist for 181 days or more, your application must include a Public Service Health Care Plan—Employee Application form, a Statement of Understanding (SOU), and a Primary Reserve Information Form (PRIF).
• If you are a Class A or a Class B Reservist who is serving for 180 days or less, your application must include a Public Service Health Care Plan—Employee Application form, a SOU, a PRIF, and a certified cheque or money order covering three months of PSHCP premiums.

Contact your HRA to obtain copies of the unlinked SOU and PRIF. Your HRA may also forward your application on your behalf to the PSHCP.

Upon application approval, the PSHCP office will assign an identification number to you. This identification number is permanent, and will follow you throughout your career. You can then print your benefit card from the Sun Life website.

3. Mail your certified cheque or money order for any required premium coverage to the Department of National Defence PSHCP office at:

PSHCP-RSSFP, DND-NDHQ
101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2

You can learn about administrative errors and what to do by consulting the Public Service Health Care Plan Instruction Manual—CAF Chapter 3: General Information about the Plan which is accessible only on the Defence Team Intranet. You can also contact your HRA. If you are a Unit Orderly Room staff member, write to PSHCP-RSSFP.questions@forces.gc.ca or to the CAF’s positional mail box at HealthandDental-SanteetDentaire@forces.gc.ca. If you are still having difficulty resolving an administrative error, or if there are compelling circumstances, you may contact our office for assistance.

Two examples of administrative errors are missing application information or information validation. In these cases, the PSHCP will ask for this missing information from your HRA. Once received, the Plan will process your payment.

If your application includes a stale-dated cheque, the PSHCP will ask you to replace it while continuing to process your application. Your coverage will not be affected because the PSHCP will processes your application based on its day of receipt.

Your PSHCP eligibility depends on your Reserve Force sub-component, your Reserve service type and duration. If your service type or duration change, you may have to reapply or submit supporting documents to maintain your PSHCP membership.

Some service type or duration changes may make you, your survivor, or your dependents ineligible for PSHCP coverage. Such changes include:

• becoming a military annuitant,
• extension of your Reserve service,
• changes to your Class of Reserve service,
• your component transfer,
• continuation of your Class A or Class B Reserve service beyond180 days,
• your death while dependents are receiving benefit,
• your disability on release,
• your release from the CAF during pregnancy,
• your death while your survivor is pregnant,
• your death with comprehensive coverage,
• your reemployment as a member or pensioner in the Public Service,
• your periods of Leave Without Pay (LWOP),
• your periods of authorized Exempt Drill and Training (ED and T),
• your periods of Limitation of Payments (LOP), and
• your periods of Non-Effective Strength (NES).

Learn more by referring to the Public Service Health Care Plan Instruction Manual—CAF Chapter 7: Continuing Coverage which is accessible only on the Defence Team Intranet. You may also contact your HRA.

If you are authorized to be on ED and T, you are eligible for PSHCP coverage. However, you must pay the required premiums by certified cheque or money order because they will not be deducted from your salary. Learn more by referring to the Public Service Health Care Plan Instruction Manual—CAF Chapter 7: Continuing Coverage which is accessible only on the Defence Team Intranet. You may also contact your HRA or our office for help.

You may request a move from Class B to Class C Reserve service if your work directly supports Operation LASER and Operation VECTOR.

Learn more about this move and how it may affect your PSHCP eligibility criteria, your allowances, leave, insurance, and other benefits by consulting CANFORGEN 165/20 on the Defence Team Intranet or the CAF app. You can also contact your chain of command or your HRA.

PSHCP participation is voluntary unless you are posted outside Canada (OUTCAN). In this case you must obtain comprehensive coverage for yourself, your spouse or partner, and certain dependants. Learn about coverage options by visiting our webpage on Health Care Coverage and Claims while OUTCAN or by referring to page seven of the Public Service Health Care Plan Instruction Manual—CAFChapter 2: The PSHCP and Available Coverage. This Instruction Manual is accessible only on the Defence Team Intranet. You may also contact your HRA.