Spectrum of Care

Reviewed May 2011

The Canadian Forces (CF) Spectrum of Care (SoC) document was first published on 21 December 1998 to describe the health benefits and services available and publicly funded for CF members and other eligible persons. It is published by the Surgeon General under the authority of Chief Military Personnel (CMP) and is updated regularly.

The CF SoC document provides direction to CF health care providers, Base/Wing Surgeons, Dental Detachment Commanders, CF chain of command and CF members. It authorizes the use of public funds to ensure that CF members have access to a standard of health services that is comparable overall to that received by Canadians under provincial health care plans. Inclusions and exclusions apply everywhere in Canada and abroad, regardless of what health services are covered by provincial or allied health plans. The SoC’s primary focus is not on equity with the provinces, but rather on operational benefit: i.e having the right person available for operations with the right level of health fitness.

The SoC Committee must represent CF operational needs and is chaired by Assistant CMP with representation from all three Environments. Its recommendations must be endorsed by CMP, presented at least annually or as required to Armed Forces Council (AFC) and Program Management Board (PMB), and may result in Memoranda to Cabinet if necessary to ensure that resources are allocated to support SoC decisions.

Decisions to include or exclude a health service are based upon the following five principles:

• the treatment, service, or item adheres to the scientific principle of evidence based medicine; this principle would eliminate any new medical procedures or remedies that have not been adequately investigated and scientifically found to provide a significant health benefit (e.g. homeopathic remedies);
• the treatment, service, or item is necessary for the purpose of maintaining health and mental well-being or preventing disease; it permits the diagnosis or treatment an injury, illness or disability;
• the treatment, service, or item is not for purely experimental, research or cosmetic purposes;
• the treatment, service, or item is funded by at least one province or federal agency; this principle is in keeping with Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) criteria; and
• the benefit sustains or restores a serving member to an operationally effective and deployable status.

Requests for amendments, additions, or deletions of health services must be addressed through the CF Health Services chain of command to Director Medical Policy or Director Dental Services as applicable.

The SoC document consists of guidelines that are regularly updated in response to changes in technologies and in provincial health care plans. It does not constitute a list of rights, and the final decision as to whether or not a service is provided, approved, and/or funded for a specific CF member is made by the applicable senior medical or dental authority.

H.W. Jung
Commodore
Surgeon General
Comd CF H Svcs Gp