Topics Benefit Information Health Provider Information Protecting Personal Privacy

Non-Insured Health Benefits Program Annual Report 2005/2006

Non-Insured Health Benefits

Provinces and territories are responsible for delivering health care services, guided by the provisions of the Canada Health Act. Health care services include insured hospital care and primary health care, such as physicians and other health professional services. Like any other resident, First Nations people and Inuit access these insured services through provincial and territorial governments.

However, there are a number of health-related goods and services that are not insured by provinces and territories or other private insurance plans. To support First Nations people and Inuit in reaching an overall health status that is comparable with other Canadians, Health Canada's Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program provides coverage for a limited range of these goods and services when they are not insured elsewhere.

The Non-Insured Health Benefits Program is Health Canada's national, needs-based health benefit program that funds benefit claims for a specified range of drugs, dental care, vision care, medical supplies and equipment, short-term crisis intervention mental health counselling and medical transportation for eligible First Nations people and Inuit.

What Information is Available?

This section contains information on the various types of non-insured health benefits, who is eligible, how to access them, options for making an appeal when a benefit is denied, as well as how we safeguard clients' personal health information in our possession. There are also links to important resources and contact information to help answer your questions about the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program.