Today marks the deadline for the MCP re-registration initiative. Over 488,850 individuals have received their new MCP card to date, representing approximately 97 per cent of the population.

"To have 97 per cent of the province re-registered in just over a year is a significant accomplishment," said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services. "We are certainly pleased with the tremendous response we received from residents and I would like to thank everyone who cooperated by re-registering."

To account for individuals who have mailed in their forms this week to be processed, physicians have been notified in writing that a three-month grace period will take effect, whereby individuals can still use their old MCP card until they receive their new card. Any person who presents for treatment with an old MCP card will be asked to contact MCP immediately. After October 31, 2007, at the discretion of the physician, patients without a new MCP card may have to pay up front for services to be later reimbursed by MCP upon re-registration.

Government initially launched the re-registration of MCP cards in May 2006. The initial deadline was extended from March 31, 2007 to July 31, 2007 to allow more time for the MCP office to process applications requiring additional information. While the deadline will no longer be extended, individuals who have not re-registered for their new MCP card can still do so.

"Our government has undertaken significant efforts over the past year to inform people across the province of the initiative," said Minister Wiseman. "Clearly, our methods have been successful in reaching the vast majority of the population."

Initiatives to communicate the MCP re-registration initiative include:

• Four province-wide media campaigns;
• Letters to every provincial household;
• Posters in all physician offices and hospitals;
• Periodic public updates on the status of the re-registration initiative; and,
• Follow up letters over the last month to approximately 18,000 people who have had treatment and have not re-registered.

All new MCP cards contain an expiry date to allow the department to maintain an up-to-date MCP database, which will improve the monitoring mechanism and enhance the accountability of the MCP program. Individuals will be responsible for renewing their MCP card before the expiry date listed on their current card.

Individuals with further questions are asked to call the MCP office at 1-866-449-4459 on the Avalon Peninsula or 1-800-563-1557 in all other areas.

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Media contact:
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-1741
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca

2007 07 31                                                  10:05 a.m.