The Department of Health and Community Services is extending the validity period of Medical Care Plan (MCP) cards to June 30, 2020. This will cover all individuals whose MCP eligibility otherwise expired as of March 1, 2020 onward, excluding those who have permanently moved out of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The extension preserves provincial public health coverage for those Newfoundland and Labrador residents, including permanent residents, who are outside the province or country, but are finding it difficult to return home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes those residents who are working temporarily or vacationing abroad.
The extension also preserves coverage for international students and workers whose study or work durations have ended, but who may not have a reasonable means of departing the province at this time or who wish to leave temporarily to be with family. It also helps them in the event that they are experiencing difficulties obtaining the documentation necessary from their education institutions or employers to renew their MCP coverage.
These changes eliminate the need to mail, fax or drop off MCP renewal applications to the MCP offices in St. John’s or Grand Falls Windsor during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals are encouraged to check their MCP expiry date or renewal notice to determine if these measures apply.
Renewal cards reflecting the extension of coverage will not be mailed to individuals. Health care providers may contact the MCP offices for confirmation of coverage.
Staff will continue to be available to answer questions from the public. People can call the St. John’s office at 1-866-449-4459 or the Grand Falls-Windsor office at 1-800-563-1557. People can also email questions to mcpregistration@gov.nl.ca.
For the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.
For questions related to COVID-19, please email covid19info@gov.nl.ca.
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Media contact
Kathy Dicks-Peyton
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 699-1982
kathydickspeyton@gov.nl.ca