Medical Care Plan (MCP) Frequently Asked Questions

  1. I lost my MCP card. How do I get a new one?
  2. I have changed my name. How do I get a new MCP card with my new name?
  3. What do I have to do to register my newborn or adopted child?
  4. Is there a charge for new or replacement MCP cards?
  5. Can I get an MCP card over the phone?
  6. Where can I get MCP forms?
  7. Will you accept photocopies of forms and documents?
  8. Can you give me my MCP number over the phone?
  9. Where are your offices located?
  10. What are your office hours? Are you closed for lunch?
  11. I was living in another province but have returned to Newfoundland and Labrador. Should I contact MCP?
  12. Will I be covered by MCP if I leave Newfoundland and Labrador for vacation, study, etc.?
  13. How long am I covered by MCP when I move to another province?
  14. How do I add my INTENT FOR ORGAN/TISSUE DONATION to my MCP card?
  15. Does MCP cover IRCC Immigration Medical Exams?

1. I lost my MCP card. How do I get a new one?

To obtain a replacement MCP card, simply complete a Card Replacement/Information Update (181 KB) and bring or send it to MCP. If you do not know your MCP number, you will be asked to provide identification before receiving a new card.

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2. I have changed my name. How do I get a new MCP card with my new name?

To obtain a new MCP card with your new name, you must complete a Card Replacement/Information Update (181 KB) and provide proof that your name change is legal.

If your name change is due to marriage, you must provide a copy of your marriage certificate. If your name change is due to divorce, you must provide a copy of your divorce certificate or your birth certificate showing your birth name. If you have had a legal name change through the Department of Digital Government and Service NL, you must provide a copy of your legal name change document or a birth certificate showing your new name. In this case, you will also receive a new MCP number.

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3. What do I have to do to register my newborn or adopted child?

Before your newborn baby is discharged from hospital, you will receive an MCP Newborn Registration/Adoption form (31 KB) as part of your hospital documents. Simply complete this form and submit it to MCP to register your new baby. A baby can be registered under MCP as long as one of the parents is also registered with MCP. Registration must be done by that parent. If the baby will have a different surname than the registering parent, you must provide a copy of the baby’s birth certificate.

If you are adopting a child, you must provide one of the following documents: a copy of the official adoption papers, or a copy of the child’s birth certificate, or a Notice of Adoption Placement from the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development. If you are adopting a child from outside of Canada, you must also provide, in addition to the above, a copy of the child’s Landed Immigrant documents issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

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4. Is there a charge for new or replacement MCP cards?

No. Persons who are registered will receive new or replacement MCP cards cost free.

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5. Can I get an MCP card over the phone?

No. To obtain an MCP card you must complete and sign an application form and submit it with copies of required supporting documents.

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6. Where can I get MCP forms?

Forms are available at most doctors’ offices and hospitals in Newfoundland and Labrador. You can also download and print forms from this page. Forms are also available from MCP offices at 45 Major’s Path, St. John’s and 22 High Street, Grand Falls-Windsor.

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7. Will you accept photocopies of forms and documents?

Facsimiles, photocopies and high resolution images of all forms and documents will be accepted, as long as the copies are clear and are of good quality. However, MCP reserves the right to view an original copy of a form or document if necessary to verify information or authenticity.

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8. Can you give me my MCP number over the phone?

Sorry, but under no circumstances will MCP release an MCP number over the telephone. MCP cannot be sure of a person’s identity over the telephone and to protect your interests, a written request is required to release an MCP number. If a doctor or health care provider needs to know your MCP number for billing purposes, MCP will need your authorization to release your number to them. You can complete the Request for Release of Beneficiary Medical Care Plan (MCP) Number form (28 KB) and have your doctor fax it to one of our offices to obtain your number for billing purposes.

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9. Where are your offices located?

MCP offices are located at 22 High Street in Grand Falls-Windsor and 45 Major’s Path in St. John’s. Please note, walk-in clients are not accepted at either office. 24-hour mail drop slots are available at both locations. Contact information is available here.

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10.What are your office hours? Are you closed for lunch?

MCP offices do not accept walk-in clients. MCP may be contacted by e-mail or by phone during week days (Monday to Friday) from 8:30 am to 4:30 PM (4:00 PM when summer hours are in effect). MCP cannot be contacted after hours, weekends or statutory holidays. Mail drop slots are provided at both offices for submitting application forms and other documents.

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11. I was living in another province but have returned to Newfoundland and Labrador. Should I contact MCP?

Your former province or territory will cover your medical costs for the remainder of the month you arrived in Newfoundland and Labrador, plus two additional months. If you do not contact MCP within that time, you may be without health care coverage after that. Please contact MCP immediately upon arrival to ensure a smooth change from your former province’s or territory’s health care plan to the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Care Plan.

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12. Will I be covered by MCP if I leave Newfoundland and Labrador for vacation, study, etc.?

Before leaving Newfoundland and Labrador you should check with MCP to determine the coverage available to you in your specific situation.

Please note that, with certain exceptions, claims for MCP insured services obtained outside Canada are only paid at MCP rates. When the amount billed exceeds the amount payable by MCP, payment of the difference is the patient’s responsibility. As the cost of medical care in many other countries, particularly the United States can be significantly higher than the rates paid by MCP, it is strongly recommended that MCP beneficiaries arrange for additional medical insurance from a private insurance provider before traveling outside Canada. Make sure that your plan from a private insurance provider will include sufficient coverage for ground and air ambulance and medevac as these can be very expensive and will not be covered by MCP outside of Newfoundland and Labrador, even within Canada.

In general, persons who are registered with MCP on a renewal basis of one year or less may leave the province for no longer than the amount of time they have been in the province within their current renewal period.

The remaining commentary in this section pertains to individuals who are registered with MCP on a five year renewal basis. For such persons, the coverage available when leaving Newfoundland and Labrador is generally as follows:

Eligible beneficiaries who have been registered with MCP for at least one year may leave Newfoundland and Labrador for vacation purposes for up to eight months each year and, once every five years, may leave for up to one full year. After an absence that exceeds eight months in a single year, absences must not exceed eight months in each of the next four years. Newly registered beneficiaries in their first year of registration may not leave for vacation purposes for a period of time longer than they have been registered as an MCP beneficiary (i.e., no more than six months total).

Students from this province may be absent for as long as required to complete their program of studies, but are normally required to return to Newfoundland and Labrador at least once each year. Proof of enrolment at an accredited institution is required.

If you leave Newfoundland and Labrador to temporarily work in another province, territory, or country you may be absent for up to one year and still retain MCP coverage. If your work requires you to be away from Newfoundland and Labrador for longer than one year, and you are not establishing a permanent residence elsewhere, you should contact MCP before leaving Newfoundland and Labrador to determine the coverage available to you.

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13. How long am I covered by MCP when I move to another province?

Your MCP coverage will continue for the remainder of the month of arrival in your new province/territory, plus an additional two months. To ensure there are no gaps in your coverage, contact the health care plan of your new province or territory upon arrival and register with it immediately to ensure that your coverage there will start as soon as your MCP coverage expires.

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14. How do I add my INTENT FOR ORGAN/TISSUE DONATION to my MCP card?

You can indicate your organ/tissue donor intent on the MCP card renewal form that will be sent to you prior to your MCP registration renewal date. If you have a MyGovNL account and you have linked your MCP card, you can update your organ/tissue donor intent on-line at any time on the ‘Manage’ page.

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15. DOES MCP COVER IRCC IMMIGRATION MEDICAL EXAMS?

No. Fees for Immigration Medical Exams that may be required by IRCC for those applying to enter Newfoundland and Labrador from outside Canada are not covered by MCP. Further information is available here.

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Please note: The content on this page may not be current or comprehensive and is subject to change without notice.

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