Questions, answered
Tobacco settlement records: common questions
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What does Medchart do?
We collect the medical records your tobacco settlement claim needs and send them back to you, organized. The PCC Agent, the settlement's official agent, helps you file your claim for free, but they do not go and gather your records. Medchart does that part: we contact every doctor and clinic, follow up, and collect the records, so you do not have to. We do not file your claim or decide who qualifies.
What is the tobacco settlement?
Canada's tobacco settlement, formally called the Pan-Canadian Claimants' Compensation Plan (PCC Compensation Plan), is the court-approved plan that compensates eligible people who smoked cigarettes made by Imperial Tobacco, Rothmans Benson & Hedges, or JTI-Macdonald and were later diagnosed with certain diseases. The PCC Agent and the Tobacco Claims Canada website handle claims under this plan.
How do I know if I qualify?
You can likely take part if you smoked at least 87,600 cigarettes of eligible brands between January 1, 1950 and November 20, 1998, were diagnosed with primary lung cancer, a primary squamous-cell throat cancer, emphysema (any severity), or COPD (GOLD Grade III or IV) between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019, and live in Canada. These are the settlement's PCC Eligibility Criteria.
The 87,600 cigarettes is also called "Twelve Pack-Years," which is calculated as any combination of the number of cigarettes smoked in a day multiplied by the number of days of consumption. The smoking can be over multiple time periods, even with breaks in between. For example, Twelve Pack-Years equals:
The 87,600 cigarettes is also called "Twelve Pack-Years," which is calculated as any combination of the number of cigarettes smoked in a day multiplied by the number of days of consumption. The smoking can be over multiple time periods, even with breaks in between. For example, Twelve Pack-Years equals:
- 10 cigarettes smoked per day for 24 years (10 x 365 x 24) = 87,600 cigarettes; or
- 20 cigarettes smoked per day for 12 years (20 x 365 x 12) = 87,600 cigarettes; or
- 30 cigarettes smoked per day for 8 years (30 x 365 x 8) = 87,600 cigarettes
Which diagnoses are eligible?
The diagnosis must have been made between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019, and be one of the eligible diagnoses under the settlement:
Primary lung cancer - the cancer must have started in the lungs. Cancer that began elsewhere and later spread to the lungs (secondary or metastatic) is not eligible.
Certain throat cancers - only a primary squamous-cell cancer of the larynx (voice box), oropharynx (middle throat), or hypopharynx (lower throat).
Emphysema or COPD - a diagnosis of emphysema counts regardless of severity. A diagnosis of COPD must be severe, at GOLD Grade III or IV.
Primary lung cancer - the cancer must have started in the lungs. Cancer that began elsewhere and later spread to the lungs (secondary or metastatic) is not eligible.
Certain throat cancers - only a primary squamous-cell cancer of the larynx (voice box), oropharynx (middle throat), or hypopharynx (lower throat).
Emphysema or COPD - a diagnosis of emphysema counts regardless of severity. A diagnosis of COPD must be severe, at GOLD Grade III or IV.
Which cigarette brands are eligible?
The cigarettes must have been made by Imperial Tobacco, Rothmans Benson & Hedges, or JTI-Macdonald, and smoked between January 1, 1950 and November 20, 1998. Eligible brands:
Not sure which brand you smoked, or do not see it here? Email us at tobacco@medchart.ca and we can help you check.
Accord, Accord KF, Avanti/Light, B&H, B&H 100 Del.UL.LT/MEN, B&H 100 F, B&H 100 F Menthol, B&H Light Menthol, B&H Lights, B&H Special KF, B&H Special Lights KF, Belmont, Belmont KF, Belvedere, Belvedere Extra Mild, Camel, Cameo, Cameo Extra Mild, Craven 'A', Craven 'A' Light, Craven 'A' Special, Craven 'A' Ultra Light/Mild, Craven 'M', Craven 'M' KF, Craven 'M' Special, du Maurier, du Maurier Extra Light, du Maurier Light, du Maurier Special, du Maurier Ultra Light, Dunhill, Dunhill KF, Export, Export 'A', Export 'A' Extra Light, Export 'A' Lights, Export 'A' Medium, Export 'A' Special Edition, Export 'A' Ultra Light, Export Mild, Export Plain, John Player's Special, LD, Macdonald, Macdonald Menthol, Mark Ten, Mark Ten Filter, Matinee, Matinee Extra Mild, Matinee Slims/Menthol, Matinee Special/Menthol, Medallion, More, North American Spirit, Number 7, Number 7 Lights, Peter Jackson, Peter Jackson Extra Light KF, Player's, Player's Extra Light, Player's Filter, Player's Light, Player's Medium, Player's Plain, Rothmans, Rothmans Extra Light, Rothmans KF, Rothmans Light, Rothmans Special, Rothmans UL LT KF, Select Special/Ultra Mild/Menthol, Vantage, Vantage KF, Vantage Light/Menthol, Viscount, Viscount #1 KF, Viscount Extra Mild/Menthol, Winston.
Not sure which brand you smoked, or do not see it here? Email us at tobacco@medchart.ca and we can help you check.
Which records will you collect?
A pathology report for primary lung or throat cancer, a spirometry test report for COPD (GOLD Grade III or IV), or a medical record that indicates an emphysema diagnosis. If those are not available, a copy of the medical file, a Physician Form, or a doctor's letter with a supporting report.
What does it cost?
Medchart charges $10 plus tax for each request. The clinic or hospital may also charge a fee, which is your responsibility. You will see the full cost before you confirm.
Can you promise my records will be enough?
No. We will do everything we can to collect them, but we cannot promise the records will be found or that they will meet the claim's requirements. That decision is made by the PCC Agent and the Claims Administrator.
I am claiming for someone who has passed away.
You can request their records here. To file the claim, you will also need legal authority for their estate and proof of death. See the For Claimants page.
I live in Quebec.
Québec has its own process. You usually do not need to do anything, because the administrator looks up your records for you. Only send documents if you receive an official notice. Questions? Call Proactio at 1-888-880-1844 or email tabac@proactio.ca.
Ready to get your records?
Start your request now. It takes a few minutes, and we handle the rest.