Changes are coming to the federal dental care program in order to get more providers on board.
Health Minister Mark Holland said they can now bill Sun Life Financial directly on a claim-by-claim basis.
Holland said that means there is no longer a need for providers to officially participate in the program.
“You can just try it out, submit a claim, and see what you think,” the minister said during a news conference on Monday.
Federal officials said nearly half of all providers in Canada — around 11,800, to be exact — have signed up for the program.
More than 2.1 million Canadians have already been approved under the plan and about 250,000 members have received care.
“I look forward to doing more as we push to see that nearly 50 per cent become 60 per cent, 70 per cent, until in the near future, we’re no longer asking the question of who’s participating,” said Holland.
Seniors were the first group of Canadians eligible to receive services under the plan in May.
It has since expanded to include adults with disabilities and children under the age of 18.
The plan is for those with family incomes under $90,000 per year and who do not have access to dental insurance.
Officials have said the plan is expected to help up to nine million Canadians once it is fully rolled out in 2025.
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