Many Yukoners have some type of access to extended health benefits through their employer, with benefits that cover services such as prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, physiotherapy, optometry, and necessary medical equipment. However, not everyone has access to these benefits, which can make it difficult to afford these services. Without these basic health services Yukoners can have poor health outcomes, including pain, poor nutrition, increased risk for certain chronic diseases, as well as poorer quality of life. Unemployment, temporary employment and low wage employment situations are often associated with lack of benefits. People who do not have these benefits through their employer are also the least likely to be able to afford paying out-of-pocket for these services.
The Government of Yukon (YG) has committed to provide dental and other extended health benefits to uninsured Yukoners as per the 2021 Confidence and Supply Agreement (CASA) and the Putting People First report. The new dental program is a policy-based program for the uninsured, low-income individuals. The public dental plan focuses on the relief of pain and infection, prevention of disease, and restoration of chewing and/or social function.
YG will begin to close the gaps experienced by low-income Yukoners who do not have access to extended benefits by implementing these comprehensive extended health benefits. The new publicly funded dental program will use a payer-of-last resort model and be income-tested. This plan will not apply to Yukoners who already have insurance.
