Woodstock First Nation
NIHB Administrator Page
Knowledge Is Power
EN-WE-OW-LE-TENEH
10 Turtle Lane • Woodstock First Nation, NB • E7M 3B4 • Telephone Number: 325-3570
The NIHB Program • Out—Of—Country Health Insurance • Dental Care • Notice To Registered Indian Parents • Vision Care • Vision Care Benefits Question and Answers • Things To Remember When Getting Your Prescription Drugs • Notices • Health Canada Link
The NIHB program is a
national health benefit program. It pays for some, or all of the costs of
medical, dental and pharmacy services that eligible First Nations and Inuit may
need. The program policies and practices follow the 1979 Indian Health Policy
and the 1997 NIBH Renewed Mandate.
The program provides a range
of health benefits to meet medical or dental needs not covered by provincial,
territorial or other thief party health plans. Third party health plans are ones
usually provided by insurance companies. The benefits and services of the NIHB
Program are in addition to provincial and territorial insured health care
programs.
Who Is
An Eligible Recipient?
An eligible recipient is
someone who is allowed or entitled to receive benefits such as vision care, drug
or other services form the NIHB Program.
As an eligible recipient you
must be identified as a resident of Canada and one of the following:
* a
registered Indian according to the Indian
Act
* an
Innu member of one of the two Innu communities in Labrador (Davis Inlet and
Sheshatshiu)
* an
Inuk recognized by one of the Inuit Land Claim organizations
* an
infant less than age one (1), whose parent is an eligible recipient.
Objectives
Of The NIHB Program
The objectives of the program
are to provide benefits to eligible First Nations and Inuit in a manner that:
* is
suitable to their unique health needs
* helps
eligible First Nations and Inuit to reach an overall health status on par with
other Canadians
* is
cost effective
* will
maintain health, prevent disease and assist in detecting and managing illnesses,
injuries, or disabilities
Benefits
Provided
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Drugs
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Medical Transportation
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Dental
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Medical Supplies and Equipment
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Vision
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Crisis Intervention Counselling
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Provincial health care premiums, where applicable
Contact
Information
The FNIHB Regional Offices and First Nations and Inuit Health Authority
offices listed below can be contacted for detailed information about the NIHB
Program. You can alos find information about the program by searching the Health
Canada web site at:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnihb/nihb/index.htm
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FNIHB
Pacific Region |
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Yukon Region |
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Northern
Secretariat |
FNIHB
Alberta Region |
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FNIHB
Saskatchewan Region |
FNIHB
Manitoba Region
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FNIHB
Ontario Region
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FNIHB
Quebec Region |
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Inuit
Tapiriit Kanatami |
Out—Of—Country
Health Insurance
Before traveling outside Canada it is your responsibility to purchase private health insurance which will cover potential hospital or medical expenses. Private health insurance is available form most private insurance companies and banking institutions. Non-Insured Health Benefits may provide assistance if you have received prior approval and fall under one of the categories:
Student
Seasonal worker, such as blueberry or potato harvester.
Patient referred to the United States for medical treatment not available in Canada.
Before leaving Canada you should contact the Non-Insured Health Benefits unit and the local Department of Health.
Nova Scotia—Department of Health: (902)424-7538
New Brunswick—Medicare: (506) 453-2161
Newfoundland—Medical Care Commission: (709)722-6980
Prince Edward Island—Health and community Services Agency: (902) 838-4064
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Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) covers the cost of most dental services. These services include: checkups, fluoride treatments, x-rays, fillings, extractions and dentures.
NIHB will provide direct payment to your dental provider although payment policies and costs for dental services will not be the same at all dental offices. Some providers may require partial payment at the time of you treatment. Others may bill you directly instead of sending the bill to NIHB.
Always ask your dentist about his or her payment policy before obtain services.
Procedures for obtaining benefit:
Visit your dentist for checkups, cleanings and fillings.
Prior approval from NIHB is not needed for most dental treatments.
For treatment requiring prior approval, consult your dentist.
Note: Some dental services have restrictions or frequency limitations that are reviewed and updated periodically. If you have any questions, please consult your dental provider or the NIHB regional Office.
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Notice To
Registered Indian Parents
In order for your children to receive Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) you must register them with the provincial health insurance plan and the department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND).
In order to receive NIHB for infants under one year of age, you must provide the following information to pharmacists, dentists, optometrists etc.
The infant’s full name and date of birth.
The eligible parent’s full name, date of birth and client identification number (band name and band number or DIAND number or Medical Services Branch number).
To register with DIAND, contact the Indian registry administrator at you band or contact DIAND directly:
Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development P.O. Box 160 Amherst, Nova Scotia B4H 3Z3 (902) 661-6200Top
Some vision care costs are covered by Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) unit, if an optometrist or ophthalmologist recommends that visual correction is required.
Procedures for obtaining benefit:
Obtain the necessary prior approval from NIB for an eye exam, glasses or both.
If approved, make an appointment to see your optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Optometrists or ophthalmologists determine if visual correction is needed. If it is, a prescription will be provided. You can get your glasses at your optometrist or optician’s office.
Note:
Under this Program, NIHB pays a set rate for services. Ask your optometrist or optician for details.
Contact lenses will be paid, if they have been recommended by your optometrist or ophthalmologist for certain medical reasons and you have been given prior approval from the NIHB unit.
No “extras” are paid for by the Non-Insured Health Benefits unit. This includes such special items as graduated bifocals, designer frames or tints. You must pa the extra cost.
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Vision Care
Benefits Questions and Answers
Non-Insured Health Benefits for Eligible First Nations and Inuit Clients in Atlantic Canada
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Am I Eligible for an Eye Exam & Glasses?
Clients age 18 and over are eligible for a full eye exam and glasses once every two years. Clients under age 18 are eligible for a full eye exam and glasses once each year. You may be eligible for a follow-up exam (known as a "minor exam") if you optometrist or ophthalmologist provides written medical justification to the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program. The Non-Insured Health Benefits Program will not replaced glasses damaged as a result of misuse, carelessness or negligence.
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Who Can Provide Eye Exams?
The Non-Insured Health Benefits Program will only pay for eye exams that are provided by a recognized optometrist or ophthalmologist. The Non-Inured Health Benefits Program does not pay for eye exams performed by a medical doctor who is not a recognized optometrist or ophthalmologist.
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Are *Extra* Options on Glasses Covered?
*Extras* are not covered by the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program. Extras include items such as progressive lenses, designer frames or photo-chromic lenses. If you choose such extras, you must pay the extra cost yourself. Many providers will require payment for such extra costs at the time the glasses are ordered.
At the time of selecting our glasses, it is important that you ask your provider exactly what the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program will pay for and what *extra* costs you may have to pay for.
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How Long Do I Have to Pick Up Glasses?
You should pick up your glasses as soon as they are ready but no later than 30 calendar days from the date are ordered. If you do not pick them up within 30 days, the provider may dismantle them for resale or may send them to Non-Insured Health Benefits' office in Halifax. If they choose to send the glasses to Non-Insured Health Benefits, the glasses will be kept for up to two years. You can claim them from Non-Insured Health Benefits by calling 1-800-565-3294.
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Why Do I Have to Sign Invoices?
Clients must sign and date an invoice for their eye exam on the date the service is provided. Clients must also sign and date an invoice for their glasses are mailed to you, the provider must send Non-Insured Health Benefits a copy of the packing slip, along with the invoice, as proof that the glasses have been provided.
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I Have a Question!
Please call the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program too-free at 1-800-565-3294 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm)
Things To
Remember When Getting Your Prescription Drugs
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When you are being prescribed a new medication you should always tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other medications or remedies prepared by a traditional healer.
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If you do not know why you are being given a medication, ask the doctor or pharmacist to explain.
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It is important to store medications in a cool, dry place, safe from the reach of children.
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It is important to follow the directions of the doctor and a pharmacist when taking medications.
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When taking antibiotics it is important to take all the medication to prevent the bacteria from developing resistance to the antibiotic.
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If undesirable side effects develop, the doctor or pharmacist should be contacted for advice.
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You should tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have a allergies to any medications.
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It is unwise to share mediations.
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A good diet, moderate exercise and avoidance of substances such as alcohol and tobacco are ways to promote good health.