Treatment benefits

We all need healthcare services. The Treatment benefits program provides coverage for a variety of benefits and services to help you get—and stay—healthy.

About this program

If you qualify for the Treatment Benefits program, you will receive a VAC healthcare card.

This healthcare card provides coverage for such things as home health or hospital services, nursing services, appointments with specialists (such as physiotherapists, audiologists, and mental health providers), medical equipment, prosthetics, and prescriptions.

The extent of your coverage will depend on a number of factors, including how you qualified, your health needs and your individual circumstances.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made temporary changes to the Treatment Benefits program to ensure you receive the treatment and services you need. Learn more.

Do I qualify?

You will qualify for healthcare coverage and receive a VAC healthcare card if you qualify for:

How to apply

You do not need to apply for the treatment benefits program or for a VAC healthcare card. A card will be sent directly to you after you have received one of the benefits listed above.

If you are a still-serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, you will typically receive your card after you release from service as these benefits will be provided by your home organization, not by VAC.

Get help

If you have questions about your health coverage or about VAC’s treatment benefits program, visit any VAC office or call us at 1-866-522-2122. You can also contact Medavie Blue Cross.

Additional information

Quick links

How to use your VAC healthcare card

Often, you only need to show your VAC card to the provider of your choice to receive health benefits or services.

Blue cross card

The provider may also need to see your prescription from your doctor or health professional and receive pre-authorization from VAC before they can provide the benefit or service to you.

  • Prescription – A prescription is valid for one year from the date on it. It confirms you are under the care of a health care professional and details their recommended therapy for your health need. To learn who can provide a prescription, see the section – Prescriber Required – in that benefit’s details of the Benefit Grid.
  • Pre-Authorization - To find if pre-authorization is needed, see the section – Pre-authorization Required – in that benefit’s details found in the Benefit Grid. Your provider can contact us (or Medavie Blue Cross at 1-866-811-6060) for pre-authorization. Most services will only need pre-authorization once.

Using a registered provider – A registered provider can bill Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) directly so you do not need to pay out of pocket. To find registered providers in your area, please contact us or use your Medavie Blue Cross account.

Using any other provider – You may have to pay this provider for their services and then seek reimbursement from VAC.

Please note: we may not be able to reimburse the cost of services you purchased prior to having pre-authorization.

Reimbursement

To receive reimbursement, you need to send your request within 18 months from the date you received the treatment benefit or service. The provider must be:

  • licensed or certified by your province or territory; or
  • where no provincial or territorial regulations exist, they must meet requirements set by VAC.

To receive reimbursement, you will need to submit your proof of payment (original receipt or invoice) that shows:

  • the date you received the benefit or service;
  • the name of the benefit or service;
  • the amount you paid; and,
  • the name and address of the provider.

You can submit your request through your secure account at www.medavie.bluecross.ca/MyInfo or download the form and mail it to:

National Reimbursement Centre
PO Box 6700
Moncton, NB E1C 0T8

Sign up for Direct Deposit to receive your reimbursements directly into your bank account.

Coverage details

Programs of Choice

Read the overview of each of the fourteen (14) health care benefits programs, known as the programs of choice, provided by Veterans Affairs Canada

Benefit grids

The Benefit Grids are a resource for both providers and recipients. This national database shows the requirements for benefits and services available within the fourteen (14) programs of choice, except for dental (POC 4), medical (POC 6) and prescription drugs (POC 10).

Dental and medical professionals can contact Medavie Blue Cross whenever they have questions about coverage.

The drug formulary is a database of prescription medicines (POC 10) covered by Veterans Affairs Canada.

Frequencies and dollar limits

There are frequency and dollar limits for most benefits. To determine if your benefit has any, view that benefit’s details in the Benefit Grid. 

You, your doctor or your health professional should contact us if your prescribed treatment will exceed these limits.

Medavie Blue Cross online

Through your secure account at www.medavie.bluecross.ca/MyInfo, you can:

  • Find a list of registered providers;
  • Find claim forms and other documents;
  • View your claim status, explanations, and claims archive;
  • Find your coverage details; and
  • Request a replacement card (or print a temporary card).

Mental Health Benefits

Starting 1 April 2022, Veterans applying for a disability benefit for certain mental health conditions will now receive immediate mental health coverage.

Mental Health Benefits coverage includes treatment for service-related mental health conditions such as anxiety and depressive disorders, or trauma-and-stressor-related disorders. It also includes related prescription drugs and mental health services like examinations and treatment by psychologists, counsellors, social workers, or other mental health professionals.

Health-related travel

Your VAC health card is valid everywhere in Canada. However, before traveling to another province, we recommend that you call us for advice on how to get services outside of your home province. If the provider in that province will not accept your card as payment, you may have to pay for the benefit and then request reimbursement from VAC.

Please note: if you are traveling outside of Canada, health providers in other countries will not accept your card as payment.

Reimbursement

We can cover eligible travel expenses to receive benefits or services in Canada. Learn more about reimbursement for health-related travel.

Naturopathic benefit

Starting 1 June 2022, Veterans can claim expenses related to the cost of naturopathic consultations and assessments provided by an approved naturopathic doctor.

If you have paid for your naturopathic consultation or assessment on or after 1 June 2022, you can submit a request for reimbursement within 18 months from the date you received your assessment or consultation. Please mail this completed form and your receipts to:

Medavie Blue Cross:
National Reimbursement Centre
PO Box 6700
Moncton, NB, E1C 0T8

Find out more

Currently serving in the military or RCMP?

If you have qualified for a disability benefit, your health services will be provided by your home organization until you release from service, except for Class A or Class B (180 days or less) Reservists whose health services will be provided by VAC.

What to do when you are releasing:

  • Canadian Armed Forces members – please ensure your discharge documents have been provided to your Health Services Centre (CF H Svcs C). Incorrect release date information can delay your access to VAC’s treatment benefits.
  • RCMP members – please contact us to provide your discharge date.

Note: If you are a member of the RCMP, with prior service in the Canadian Armed Forces, and receive a disability benefit related to your CAF service, your health coverage for that condition will be provided by VAC, not the RCMP. Please contact us if you experience any difficulty accessing your coverage.

Related programs

Disability benefits: compensation to recognize that your injury or illness is a result of your service.

Veterans Independence Program: Payments for home and health care services that you need to remain independent at home.

Long-term care: Monthly payments to cover the cost of your long-term care.

War Veterans allowance: Monthly payments if you have a low household income.

Frequently asked questions

FAQs on Mental Health Benefits – April 2022

FAQs on the Naturopathic benefit – June 2022

Can I appeal any decision VAC makes about my treatment benefits?

Yes. If you are not satisfied with the decision, you have the right to request a review There are two levels of review.

  • First Level Review – The decision letter (or your explanation of benefits document) indicates how to submit a request for a first level review.
  • Final Review – The decision letter for your first level review will indicate how to request a final (known as a second level) review.

Does my provider need to call VAC for pre-authorization each year, even if I am requesting the same benefit or service?

For most benefits and services, VAC only requires pre-authorization the first time you obtain a benefit or service. However, certain benefits require pre-authorization each time you request the benefit. The Benefit Grid can help your provider determine which requirements apply to their service.

I am about to release from military service, how do I ensure my health services will continue after my release date?

If you are receiving health benefits from the Canadian Armed Forces and you currently have a VAC disability benefit, you can request a review of your CAF health services to determine which benefits can be covered by VAC after your release. This review will also save you any unnecessary paperwork to continue your benefits. Learn more.

Can I choose any supplier or provider of treatment benefits and services?

You may obtain treatment benefits and services from a supplier or provider of your choice who meets VAC provider requirements. Contact us or Medavie Blue Cross if you have any questions regarding these provider requirements.

Are there policies for this program?

Yes. Read more about the policies for Veterans.

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