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NLIS 2
August 4, 2006
(Health and Community Services)
 

Registration proceeding for new MCP cards

Approximately 165,000 applications have been received and over 55,000 new MCP cards have been issued, Health and Community Services Minister Tom Osborne announced today. Government began a re-registration of the province�s Medical Care Plan (MCP) in May 2006. As part of the re-registration process residents of the province are being asked to complete a re-registration form on or before March 31, 2007 to receive a new MCP card.

"We are pleased with the high response rate to the re-registration process to date. However, I encourage those residents who have not submitted their applications to do so before the March 31, 2007 deadline," said Minister Osborne. "Through this process, Government is keeping its commitment of transparency and accountability through enhanced controls over the administration of the program. Our goal is to ensure that only those residents permanently residing in the province are able to receive coverage under MCP."

The new MCP cards contain an individual�s name, gender, MCP number and birth date to provide additional security to ensure that only the person to whom the card is issued will be able to use it. In addition, the cards have an expiry date to allow the Department of Health and Community Services to periodically update the MCP database and provide an improved mechanism for accountability.

Re-registration forms and information brochures have been mailed to all households in the province. Individuals who have not received a re-registration form can obtain one by contacting their local MCP office, visiting www.gov.nl.ca/mcp or by e-mail at mcpreregistration@gov.nl.ca Further questions should be directed to MCP by calling 1-866-449-4459 on the Avalon Peninsula or 1-800-563-1557 in all other areas. After March 31, 2007, old versions of the MCP card will become invalid.

Residents are reminded that new MCP cards do not replace existing hospital cards and that hospital cards should not be destroyed.

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 of the MCP database. The Auditor General reported an estimated 80,000 more beneficiary numbers issued than there were residents in the province.

Media contact: Tansy Mundon, Communications, (709) 729-1377, 685-1741

2006 08 04                              10:00 a.m.


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