Update: COVID-19 Temporary Measures: Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP)

Date: April 24, 2020

To: The Public Service Pay Centre, Compensation Managers, Heads of Human Resources, Participating Separate Employers and Deputy Ministers

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada implemented temporary changes to the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP), effective March 24, 2020. These changes were designed to help PSHCP members and eligible dependants access health care benefits while at the same time minimizing social interaction with health care professionals. The flexibilities outlined below will remain in effect until non-critical business is authorized to resume or as indicated otherwise.

Note: All other PSHCP provisions and coverage for members and eligible dependants remain the same during the COVID-19 pandemic. For additional information, consult the Public Service Health Care Plan page on Canada.ca/pension-benefits.

Temporary extension of emergency travel benefits The temporary extension to the emergency travel limit is extended for members and their eligible dependants who left Canada between January 17, 2020, and March 16, 2020. This extension will be in effect until non-critical business is authorized to resume or as indicated otherwise. Members and their eligible dependants who left their home province before January 17, 2020, or on or after March 17, 2020, are not covered by this extension. The following are not reimbursed under the PSHCP: travel expenses as a result of trip cancellations or changes

expenses incurred as a result of a quarantine if the member or eligible dependant does not contract COVID-19

transportation expenses arranged by Canada back to a quarantine location For assistance with travel‑related medical emergencies, PSHCP members travelling in Canada or the United States can call Allianz toll‑free at 1-800-667-2883. Plan members in all other countries should call Allianz collect at 519-742-1342.

Temporary relaxing of early prescription refills at the professional discretion of the pharmacist and provincial and territorial regulations On March 24, 2020, the PSHCP’s normal administrative practice of restricting the dispensing of maintenance medication to a 100-day supply was temporarily relaxed. Since March 24, 2020, provincial and territorial governments, and professional associations have restricted the dispensing of prescription medication to a maximum of 30 days. As such, the PSHCP will no longer reimburse maintenance prescription drugs beyond the 100‑day limit. The PSHCP continues to cover members and their eligible dependants for up to a 100-day supply of prescription medication. Members are encouraged to speak with their pharmacist to discuss the amount of medication that can be dispensed. Note: The provincial and territorial restrictions take precedent over the PSHCP rules. In order to continue to support the recommendations of public health authorities and minimize social interaction with health care professionals, if a member has multiple prescriptions, they are encouraged to speak with their pharmacist to discuss: the possibility of coordinating prescription refill dates

whether prescriptions can be delivered to reduce the number of visits to the pharmacy

Temporary changes to accepted mental health practitioners Social workers in all areas across the country and psychotherapists / counsellors New! working directly with plan participants are temporarily accepted as mental health practitioners under the PSHCP.

Temporary changes to prescription requirements The requirement to have a prescription for mental health or physiotherapy services under the PSHCP is temporarily suspended until non-critical business is authorized to resume or as indicated otherwise. In addition, existing prescriptions for paramedical services that expired on or after March 20, 2020, will continue to be honoured during the COVID-19 pandemic period. This means that when a member makes a claim for a paramedical service during this period, they will not be asked by Sun Life for a new prescription, even if their previous prescription has expired.