What are Non-Insured Health Benefits?

The non-insured health benefits covered by the NIHB Program include prescription and over-the-counter medications, dental care, vision care, medical supplies and equipment, mental health counselling, and medical transportation to access medically necessary services that are not available in your community or city of residence. 

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To be eligible for the NIHB Program, you must resident in Canada and be any of the following:

• a First Nations person who is registered under the Indian Act

• an Inuk recognized by an Inuit land claim or organization

• a child less that 2 years old whose parent is NIHB eligible

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For information on NIHB coverage, policies and criteria, please visit www.canada.ca/nihb

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What is a NIHB Navigator?

• They assist First Nations clients in navigating and accessing the NIHB Program by sharing information on eligible health benefits, such as vision, dental, pharmacy, medical supplies and equipment, mental health counselling, and medical transportation.

• They work closely with community health workers, service providers and NIHB and AFN policy analysts

• It is important to note that NIHV Navigators do not make decisions or policies for the NIHV Program. 

• NIHB Navigators should not be mistaken for provincial and territorial hospital patient navigators

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What do NIHB Navigators do?

• Increase awareness of the NIHB Program and its criteria

• Offer support and advocacy for community workers who help clients access health benefits

• Connect clients to relevant health, cultural and social programs and services.

• Advocate for improved and streamlined service delivery through various regional, provincial, territorial, and national committees and working groups

• Present information to clients and service providers on eligibility of health benefit areas

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How can the NIHB Client Navigator help clients?

• Offer guidance to clients on how to access health benefits and services

• Provide support and advocacy on how to address, review and submit appeals, when requested by clients

• Advocate on behalf of the clients after denials, depending on region

• Connect clients to provincial and territorial health, cultural and social programs.

• Provide a list of approved service providers.

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If you need assistance with NIHB, please contact our NIHB Client Navigator:

Jessica Wesley

705-269-6662 ext 451

moma@mushkegowuk.ca

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NIHB Contact Information

Vision care / Medical supplies and equipment / Mental health counselling /Medical transportation

Tel: 1-800-640-0642

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Medication

Tel: 1-800-580-0950

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Dental Services

Tel: 1-855-618-6291

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Orthodontic Services

Tel: 1-866-224-0943

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Medical transportation

Southern Ontario office: 1-800-881-3921

Sioux Lookout office: 1-888-283-8885

Thunder bay office: 1-877-779-7749

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