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spring 2007 |
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h
e a l t h A D M I N I S T R A T I O N
Expiry of MCP
Cards Extended
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Hon. Ross Wiseman |
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In response to the high
volume of applications that have been submitted with incomplete
information or information inconsistent with the Medical Care Plan (MCP)
database, government has extended the expiry date for MCP
re-registration to July 31, 2007.
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Submitted article |
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In response to the high volume of
applications that have been submitted with incomplete information or
information inconsistent with the Medical Care Plan (MCP) database,
government has extended the expiry date for MCP re-registration to
July 31, 2007.
"Re-registering the entire population of
Newfoundland and Labrador is a significant undertaking as the last
registration of the province's Medical Care Plan had not been done since
1969," said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and
Community Services. "Approximately 25 per cent of all applications
submitted, representing 70,000 individuals, have omissions or
inconsistencies with the MCP database."
Ensuring the MCP database is current and
accurate is an essential part of the re-registration process. As a
result, it will take an additional four months to contact each of these
applicants and clarify the information submitted to ensure consistency
with their individual MCP file.
"We felt it was only fair to allow
additional time for these applications to be processed and for
individuals who submitted their application before the deadline to
receive their card," said Minister Wiseman. "No eligible resident of the
province will be denied coverage of their health care services while
their application is being processed."
As of today, approximately 450,000
residents of Newfoundland and Labrador have re-registered for their new
MCP card, representing over 88 per cent of the population. To date over
382,000 new cards have been issued. Individuals who have applied and
have not received their new MCP card will be contacted by the MCP office
for additional information in the coming months."
An additional 60,000 individuals have not
re-registered for their new MCP card. Individuals who have not submitted
their MCP re-registration form are being asked to do so immediately, as
processing may take up to 30 days if there are no omissions or errors on
the form. There is no charge for residents of the province to receive a
new MCP card, nor will there be a charge upon renewal of the MCP card.
Further questions should be directed to
MCP by email or by
calling 1-866-449-4459 on the Avalon Peninsula or 1-800-563-1557 in all
other areas.
Government launched the re-registration of
MCP in May 2006. The re-registration initiative comes in response to the
Auditor General's 2003 recommendations to strengthen controls over the
registration process, improve security of MCP cards and provide an
accountable mechanism for monitoring MCP expenditures, which are
currently at $295 million annually.
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