Member walking
MFS

Medically Releasing CAF Member


This information may also be found in the Veteran Family Journal

GENERAL RESOURCES
Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program
Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) is a voluntary and confidential service, initiated by the CAF to help members (Regular Force, all Reserve Class Members, Cadets and Veterans) and family members who have personal concerns that affect their personal well-being and/or work performance. CFMAP can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at: 1-800-268-7708, Teletypewriter: 1-800-567-5803
 
Case Management 
Case Management Services are provided by Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) to those transitioning out of the CAF. The purpose of this partnership is to ensure seamless support during the administrative processes related to the release.
  • CAF Nurse Case Management
    The Nurse Case Management Program is designed to help eligible CAF members identify and access health, pension and other related resources while ensuring continuity of care. Nurse Case Management is available at most CAF medical clinics. For more information contact your local base medical clinic. 
  • The Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group
    In coordination with its valued partners, the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (CAF TG) will deliver personalized, professional, and standardized casualty support and transition services to CAF members and their families to enable seamless transition and enhanced well-being, with special attention provided to ill and injured personnel, their families and the families of the deceased.
     
    CAF TG headquarters is located in Ottawa, with 9 regional Transition Units and 32 Transition Centres located across the country. The role of the new Transition Group is to ensure that CAF members and their families begin to think about transition early in their careers, to provide education and training on what transition comprises, and to deliver services, based on recognized domains of wellbeing. The end goal is to have all members and their families informed, prepared, and empowered for a successful transition when the time comes, in order to give them the opportunity to maximize their potential.
    • Soldier On
      Soldier On is a program of the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group and is committed to supporting veterans and serving members to adapt and overcome permanent physical or mental health injury or illness through physical activity and sport.
       
      Soldier On is recognized for improving the quality of life of the ill and injured and is a highly visible and integral component of the Department of National Defence, and the Canadian Armed Forces’ commitment to the care of ill and injured members.
  •  Veterans Affairs Canada Case Management  
    • Veterans Affairs Canada offers case management services to former CAF members, Veterans, RCMP and their families who may be finding it difficult to navigate life challenges, transitions, coping with a serious illness or an adjustment to a loss of a career or a loved one 
Casualty Support
Casualty Support provides support services to families and next of kin of serving and retired members of the CAF who are ill, injured or deceased.
 
Second Career Assistance Network 
Members and their families are invited to attend a Second Career Assistance Network (SCAN) seminar. A SCAN seminar is a two-day general information session designed to provide members with a combination of the various and current procedures, services and benefits they may experience during their transition from the military to post-service life. This seminar is relevant to all members preparing for release, regardless of release motives.

There is also a one day Medical Information seminar available to members and their families/spouses. This seminar is available to all members being medically released, members on a temporary or permanent medical category, and to senior leadership. Please inquire through your local Chain of Command.
 

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Canadian Forces Health Services Royal Canadian Dental Corps
Canadian Forces Health Services provides a range of programs for members and transitioning members who are ill and injured. Services vary from medical and mental health care, support for families, and comprehensive reintegration and return-to-work programs. To access these services the member must report to their Medical Officer for a proper referral. The Royal Canadian Dental Corps provides both full spectrum dental care and other professional capabilities that will directly contribute to CAF operational readiness and member’s quality of life.

 
Canadian Forces Physiotherapy CAF Mental Health Services
The vision of Canadian Forces Physiotherapy is to provide professional excellence in physiotherapy services, demonstrated in the ability to contribute to the rehabilitation and maintenance of operationally deployable forces and by providing physical and measurable solutions to operational readiness. The main providers of mental health resources for CAF members are located within CF Health Services. These service providers will offer assistance or refer the member to appropriate resources such as psychosocial or mental health programs, addiction services or Operational and Trauma Stress Support Centers.
Mental Health Care (OSI clinics) Operational Stress Injury Social Support
Each Operational Stress Injury Clinic provides assessment, treatment, prevention and support to serving CAF members, Veterans and RCMP members and former members. Treatment options at each OSI clinic are on an outpatient basis and include one-on-one therapy or group sessions to address anxiety, insomnia, anger and other issues. Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) provides a national peer support network for CAF members, Veterans and their families experiencing an operational stress injury.
Psychologists Strengthening the Forces
The directory of all registrants of the Canadian Register of Health Service Psychologists is updated every month to ensure you have access to a list of qualified health psychologists. If you have a case manager, ask about insurance coverage for psychosocial support as soon as you know your release date. Strengthening the Forces enables the CAF leadership to develop and sustain a strong, healthy and fit force, in an environment which supports a lifestyle dedicated to eating well, injury prevention, coping effectively and living addiction-free.
DFIT.ca  
DFIT.ca is a complementary online resource featuring general fitness and a more family-friendly, total lifestyle approach to active living. Enjoy access to all the benefits of DFIT.ca with customized features. To learn more about this online platform, visit the DFIT.ca for Families and Veterans page.  

Provincial Health Card 
When transitioning into the civilian medical system, each province issues a provincial health card. When accessing health services in Canada each patient must carry their own provincial health card. It is necessary to have a health card to ensure smooth transition to civilian medical services. For medically-releasing members the releasing unit may be able to assist in this application process.
 
Provincial Medical Resources 
Medical resources specific to each province. Contact your nearest MFRC for local information, as they may have programs in place to further assist you.

Yukon Territory
Finding a physician or clinic in Yukon
Yukon Health Card information

British Columbia
BC News Release- waiver
Health Card (BC Medical Services Plan) Benefits and Payment Information
Find a Physician BC
Talk to a nurse 24/7:Healthlink BC or dial 8-1-1
Talk to a doctor virtually: Equinoxe Virtual Clinic (Covered by MFSP)

Alberta
Information for military families-Alberta
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (Health Card Information)
Find a Physician, Clinic and much more or dial 8-1-1 Health Link
Know your healthcare options

Saskatchewan
Information for military families- Saskatchewan
Apply for a health card
Note: Saskatchewan uses Electronic Health Records (eHealth)
Accessing Health Care (find a physician and other information)
Health Line to speak to a healthcare professional or dial 8-1-1

Manitoba
Manitoba Health Card Information
Find a Family Physician or Nurse Practitioner
Health Links-Speak to a nurse 24/7- dial 1-888-315-9257

Ontario
OHIP information for Military Families
Tool: Healthcare Options Near You
Understanding Healthcare In Ontario
Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000
Finding a Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner: Healthcare Connect
 
Quebec
Health Insurance Card (RAMQ)
Health and Social Services Centres (CSSS)
Info-Santé to speak to a nurse, or dial 8-1-1
Finding a Family Doctor

New Brunswick
Medicare Health Card (note the wait period exemption for CAF families)
Finding a Family Physician using Patient Connect
After-hours and Walk-in Clinics
Speak to a Registered Nurse at Tele-Care, dial 8-1-1

Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia health card information (MSI)
Speak to a Registered Nurse, dial 8-1-1
What you should know about e-health NS
Finding a family doctor
Local hospitals and health care centres

PEI
PEI Health Card information
Find a family physician or nurse practitioner
Walk-In Clinic information
Speak to a Registered Nurse, dial 8-1-1
Information on wait times

Newfoundland
Newfoundland Medical Care Plan (Health Card) information
Finding a family physician
Speak to a Registered Nurse, Healthline, dial 8-1-1
For information on local services (walk-in clinics, etc) click on your Regional Authority’s website at bottom of this page

NWT
NWT Health Care Plan (health card information)
List of Hospitals and Health Care Centres
Speak to a registered nurse: Yukon Healthline (for Yukon, Nunavut and NWT)
Walk-in Clinics in Yellowknife: Yellowknife Primary Care Centre or Frame Lake Community Health Clinic
Note: there is no 9-1-1 service in NWT.
Use your local prefix (first 3 numbers of your phone number) and -1111 for police or -2222 for fire.

CAREER TRANSITION

 
The Prince’s Trust Commissionaires 
Entrepreneurship is an attractive option for many leaving the military, building on the skills they developed in service and focusing them on a new mission, their own business success. While other employment programs exist, Prince’s Trust is the only program in Canada that addresses the needs of military members who want to become business owners. Commissionaires are a private, not-for-profit Canadian company with the highest retention rate in the industry, currently employing more than 20,000 people. Commissionaires are a well-trained, diverse team of all ages, primarily composed of former military and RCMP.
Helmets to Hardhats  
Helmets to Hardhats is a national, non-profit program that connects Reserve, retired and transitioning active-duty military service members with skilled training and quality career opportunities in the construction industry. The program is designed to help military service members successfully transition back into post-service life by offering them the means to secure a quality career.  

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Medical
Medication Benefits Dental Benefits
Benefits / Prescription Drug Coverage lists those medications that have been determined appropriate for public funding and subsequent provision to CAF personnel. The processes followed for listing decisions on the Drug Benefit List are consistent with the vision and mission of the CFHS, the CAF Spectrum of Care, decisions of the Canadian Forces Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and apply the principles of evidence-based medicine. The Public Service Health Care Plan is designed to help pay for some  health services not covered by provincial health care plans, such as prescription drugs, vision care, dental care  and emergency travel health care assistance. The plan provides special assistance to all members posted outside of Canada and their families, to ensure that they have the necessary information to enroll.

Financial
SISIP Financial Canadian Armed Forces Pensions
Providing tailored advice and product solutions, SISIP Financial enhances the financial health and security of members of the CAF Community and their families including insurance, investments, savings and budgeting. SISIP Financial is the exclusive and trusted provider of financial products and services to Canada’s military community. Director Canadian Forces Pensions Services  manages the calculation, audit and certification of payments for pensions, survivors' annual allowances, minimum benefits, and return of pension contributions in accordance with pension legislation. In addition, DCFPS verifies elections to pay for prior pensionable service and the various plans of repayment for this service.
Canadian Forces Income Support National Association of Federal Retirees 
This policy describes the eligibility criteria that must be satisfied in order for a Veteran, survivor or orphan to receive the Canadian Forces Income Support benefit. The National Association of Federal Retirees is a not-for-profit association dedicated to protecting the benefits and promoting the interests of federal retirees.

Testaments, Wills and Estate Planning 
Below are links to provincial justice and legal websites. When it comes to testaments, wills and estate planning, each province has similar yet different rules:
*Military wills may not be valid after release.
 
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