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Northwest Territories

Territorial disease groups

It is usually possible to get a great deal of assistance and guidance by contacting the not-for-profit organization associated with your condition. Here is a list of the major groups in NWT.

• Canadian Cancer Society
• Canadian Diabetes Association
• Heart and Stroke Foundation
• Canadian Mental Health Association

HEALTH SERVICES

NWT Health and Social Services (HSS)

If you are legally entitled to be in Canada and make your permanent residence in the NWT for at least six months out of each calendar year, you are entitled to health coverage by NWT Health and Social Services (HSS). There are no premiums and the following services are covered:

• medically necessary doctor visits and surgery
• hospital in-patient and out-patient services, including imaging and rehabilitation therapy
• prescription drugs given in the hospital

To receive these benefits you need to be registered with NWT Health and Social Services. When you register, you will receive a health card which confirms your eligibility and makes it easier for the health provider to process your claim. However, you can obtain health services without showing the card.

Registration form (requires Adobe Reader)

Seniors, indigenous Métis residents and people with specified chronic diseases may apply for Extended Health Benefits (EHB). Seniors and Métis people receive coverage for dental, optical, prescription drug, medical supplies and medical travel. Chronic disease patients are covered for certain drugs, medical supplies and equipment, depending on their condition. Extended Health Benefits are administered by Alberta Blue Cross, a private insurance company.

More about NWT Health and Social Services 
More about Extended Health Benefits 
Registration form for Extended Health Benefits for Seniors (requires Adobe Reader)

Contact NWT Health and Social Services:

Health Benefit Programs
Health Services Administration
Department of Health and Social Services
Bag #9, Inuvik, NT
X0E 0T0
Phone: (867) 777-7400
Toll-free: 1-800-661-0830
Fax: (867) 777-3197
E-mail: hsa@gov.nt.ca

Health coverage outside NWT

If you show your health card elsewhere in Canada, your medical services will be billed directly to Health and Social Services (HSS). If you don’t have your card, or if you receive the services in Quebec, you may have to pay up front. In this case, submit your itemized original receipt to Health and Social Services for reimbursement.

Send your receipts to:

Health Benefit Programs
Health Services Administration
Department of Health and Social Services
Bag #9, Inuvik, NT
X0E 0T0
Phone: (867) 777-7400
Toll-free: 1-800-661-0830
Fax: (867) 777-3197
E-mail: hsa@gov.nt.ca

More about out-of-territory coverage.

If you have Extended Health Benefits and you are referred outside NWT for insured services, you can claim your travel costs. Keep in mind that the services must not be available in your home community and that you must be travelling to the nearest possible provider of the treatment you need. To claim your expenses, you will need to provide the following:

• itemized, original receipts for all expenses
• a signed note from the attending physician confirming your visit
• a copy of your medical referral

These documents should be sent to the address above.

Health and Social Services has set rates for travel expenses and will only pay those amounts or less for each type of expense. The rates are subject to change, so it is advisable to check with the Department before leaving.

Health coverage outside Canada

Health and Social Services (HSS) will cover the same services outside Canada as it covers in the NWT, at the same rate as it pays in the NWT. Usually this means that the actual bill is much higher than your coverage, and you will be expected to pay the entire amount up front. For this reason it is strongly recommended that you purchase private travel insurance for even short trips out of the country.

To be reimbursed for your out-of-country medical expenses, submit your itemized original receipt to Health and Social Services.

Send your receipts to:

Health Benefit Programs
Health Services Administration
Department of Health and Social Services
Bag #9, Inuvik, NT
X0E 0T0
Phone: (867) 777-7400
Toll-free: 1-800-661-0830
Fax: (867) 777-3197
E-mail: hsa@gov.nt.ca

More about out-of-country coverage.

Prescription drugs

If you qualify for Extended Health Benefits (EHB), some or all of your prescription drug costs will be covered by the Alberta Blue Cross, a private insurance company that administers the drug plan for Health and Social Services.

Seniors have 100% of their costs covered when they are prescribed covered drugs that are dispensed by a licenced pharmacist. To see which drugs are covered, consult the drug benefit list (requires Adobe Reader).

If you have a specified disease you can get extended coverage of your costs for prescription drugs to treat that disease. Coverage is 100%.

Allied health professionals

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy services are covered by Health and Social Services as long as they are delivered in a hospital, either as an in-patient or at an out-patient clinic. Except in this instance, all other services from allied health professionals are not covered by the basic plan.

Extended Health Benefits (EHB) provides some dental and optical coverage for seniors. More about EHB for seniors.

If you are eligible for EHB and you need to travel to get to health professional you need, you can claim your medical transportation costs.

To locate an allied health professional, contact your regional HSS authority.

Cancer care

If you are diagnosed with cancer in the NWT, you become eligible for Extended Health Benefits that will cover the cost of your drugs. You will probably have to travel to the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton for any complex surgery or radiation treatments, but Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife can perform some procedures and administer chemotherapy. Your travel expenses are covered if you submit your receipts to Health and Social Services (HSS).

Fact sheets on cancer in the NWT.

Flu shot

See our Flu Vaccination Guide for information about seasonal flu vaccine availability by province or territory.

Mental health care

The NWT provides mental health services at no charge to those in need. Your first point of contact with the NWT mental health system will be through your local Community Counselling Program. Mental health professionals will connect you to the appropriate services from there. Call your Community Counselling Program for addiction problems, too.

Contact information.

Palliative care

If you are eligible for Extended Health Benefits, you can also receive palliative care through the Home Care program of your local Health and Social Services Authority (HSSA). Palliative care is provided in your home, if possible, or in a long term care facility if not. Your pain medication will be covered by the Prescription Drug program as long as you are eligible to receive palliative care. You will need a referral from your doctor to receive palliative care through the HSSA.

Get more information about palliative care.

Wait times

Stanton Territorial Health Authority lists wait times for the Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife, where most surgery that happens in the NWT is performed. Actual times are not listed, but rather the number of people waiting for a number of particular procedures.

Stanton’s wait time information.

Since much of the surgery required by NWT residents is performed in Edmonton, it is also useful to consult the wait times information provided by Alberta Health Services.

See the article on wait times on this website for helpful advice and information on how to receive faster service for surgical procedures, certain diagnostic tests (such as an MRI) and appointments with a specialist doctor.

Workplace injuries

If you are injured on the job in the NWT, you are required by law to report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Then you must report the injury to the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) not more than a year later in order to receive compensation. You may receive benefits for lost wages, medical expenses, rehabilitation, occupational therapy and lost capability. Be sure to follow all your doctor’s instructions in order to remain eligible to get benefits.

Injury report form (requires Adobe Reader)

Telephone support

The Department of Health and Social Services has decommissioned Health Line due to low call volume, however resources for health information can still be found online here. In case of emergencies, you must call the local fire department. To reach them, dial the first three local digits followed by 2222. To reach the RCMP, dial the first three local digits followed by 1111. For poision information, call 1-800-332-1414.

The Department of Health and Social Services does offer telehealth services.

If you live in a remote community or need specialist care from outside the NWT, you can use the telehealth network to meet your appointment over a videoconference link at a location near you. In a telehealth session, the doctor will be able to ask and answer your questions and visually examine you. Other health professionals from other locations can also be brought into the appointment. To set up a telehealth appointment, contact your regional telehealth coordinator (requires Adobe Reader).

DISABILITY SUPPORT

Assistive devices

Medical supplies and most kinds of assistive devices are provided free of charge to people with a disability that qualify for Extended Health Benefits (EHB) from Health and Social Services.

Supplies and equipment covered by EHB.

View eligibility criteria and apply for EHB.

Employment support for people with disabilities

Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) will provide funds for a limited time to help people with disabilities prepare to enter the workforce and find a job. The HRDC caseworker will review your needs and provide funds in accordance with an action plan that the two of you agree on. Money can be provided for almost anything that helps you overcome a barrier to obtaining employment, even for daily living expenses while you seek work. However, there is a time limit of about a year on the benefits.

Find out more about Employment Assistance Services.

Financial support for people with disabilities

If you have a disability that will prevent you from being able to do any paid work for 12 months or more, you may be eligible to receive the $300 per month Disabled Allowance from NWT Education, Culture and Employment (ECE). The program is for low-income households that qualify for NWT Income Assistance.

NWT residents over 60 can claim the $300 Aged Amount if they qualify for Income Assistance, but cannot claim both the Aged and Disabled amounts.

Learn more about NWT Income Assistance (requires Adobe Reader).

To apply for Income Assistance, contact the program at 1-866-973-7252.

Home care

NWT residents can receive a wide range of health services and personal support in their homes through the Health and Social Services (HSS) Home Care program. The program is delivered by the regional HSS authorities. When you request services from the program, an HSS caseworker will assess your situation and work with you to develop a care plan that suits your needs.

Services available through Home Care.

To request Home Care, go to your local HSS Authority or contact:

Territorial/Integrated Services
Department of Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
7th Floor, Centre Square Tower - Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2L9
Phone: (867) 920-8746
Fax: (867) 873-0202

Assisted living for seniors

Seniors who require a level of care that cannot be met in-home by the Home Care program may move to a long-term care facility. These residential homes provide all personal and household support as well as 24-hour nursing care and attention from allied health professionals. They are operated by the regional Health and Social Services Authorities (HSSA), and a caseworker from the Authority will assess your needs and recommend your placement in an appropriate facility.

Long-term care charges for room and board are a flat $712 per month. All care and specialized services are subsidized by Health and Social Services (HSS).

Find the nearest long-term care facility.

To inquire about long-term care, contact:

Population Health
Department of Health and Social Services
7th Floor, Centre Square Tower - Box 1320
5022-49th Street
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2L9
Phone: (867) 873-7715
Fax: (867) 920-3088

Or contact the Stanton Territorial Hospital which is the major referral centre for the Northwest Territories:
Phone: (867) 669-4111

The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation helps seniors with their living arrangements in two ways. The Corporation provides a limited number of rent-subsidized housing units through the Seniors Independent Housing Initiative where low-income seniors can stay in a supported environment. Secondly, seniors who live in a home that they own can receive a one-time grant to upgrade the house for accessibility and safety through the Senior Citizens Home Repair Program.

More about NWT Housing Corporation programs (requires Adobe Reader)

Assisted living for people with disabilities

While the NWT government does not provide assisted living solutions for adults with disabilities directly, there are many agencies that do. These agencies may charge for their services, but the rates are usually geared to be affordable for people who are living on Income Assistance and Disability Allowance.

A Guide to Services for Persons with Disabilities in the Northwest Territories (requires Adobe Reader)

Respite services

Respite services for caregivers are available through Home Care. Home Care services can provide respite for special needs children, adults needing constant care and seniors. You can also contact this private respite provider in Yellowknife:

Respite
Donald Cooper Building
4908-49th Street
Phone: (867) 766-4295
Fax: (867) 669-7826
E-mail: respite2@ykacl.ca

LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Medical records

Your medical information belongs to you, but the physical record itself belongs to the person or agency that created it. This means that under NWT law you must be allowed to look at any information that a public body (including a doctor) creates about you and to correct or note errors in that information if you feel it is wrong. Doctors, hospitals and health authorities must give you access to your records in reasonable time (generally not more than 30 days) and not charge you more than a reasonable fee for copies. On the other hand, you are not allowed to take away the original documents or alter them in any way.

Your medical information is confidential and must not be shared with anyone else without your permission. But be aware that when you sign an insurance policy that involves your health or life, or when you are referred to another doctor or health professional, you are assumed to have given permission for these parties to see the relevant parts of your health record. If you don’t want your information shared under these circumstances, you should notify the record holder without delay.

To see a copy of the law, a list of the public organizations it applies to, and the forms for requesting access and reviews, read The NWT Access and Privacy Directory.

If you have a complaint about how your information has been handled, contact the Records and Access Co-ordinator:

Policy and Planning Division
Department of Justice
Government of the Northwest Territories
PO Box 1320
Yellowknife NT
X1A 2L9
Phone: (867) 920-6418
Fax: (867) 873-0659

Power of Attorney and other legal relationships

Please note: The information provided here is provided for information purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.

A Power of Attorney agreement allows someone to act on your behalf to make decisions for you. The powers granted can be very broad, covering all your personal affairs, or very narrow, covering only a single transaction or short period of time. You should use a lawyer to create Power of Attorney, though as long as the forms are filled out and witnessed by two people not involved in the agreement (not including your spouse), the agreement is legal.

The NWT Power of Attorney Act deals mostly with springing and enduring Powers of Attorney. Springing Power of Attorney agreements become effective only when some condition is met, for instance, should you become unable to manage your own affairs. Enduring Power of Attorney agreements stay in effect even if you are unable to direct your attorney or understand what he or she is doing. You must be mentally capable when you create a Power of Attorney agreement, and it can be revoked at any time as long as you are still mentally able to do so. Your attorney does have a responsibility to manage your affairs properly and to account for his actions to a designated third party.

Your Power of Attorney agreement can empower your attorney to make health care and personal decisions for you. However, many people prefer to divide the financial and health direction roles up between two people.

A full discussion of NWT Power of Attorney law, including forms (requires Adobe Reader)

Regulatory and administrative bodies

The Department of Health and Social Services (HSS) is responsible for health care in the Northwest Territories and delivers services through 8 Health Authorities.

Doctors are regulated and licensed directly by HSS in the NWT. Nurses are certified by the Registered Nurses Association of Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

If you have a complaint about how your medical information has been handled, you should contact the Records and Access Coordinator at:

Policy and Planning Division
Department of Justice
Government of the Northwest Territories
PO Box 1320
Yellowknife NT
X1A 2L9
Phone: (867) 920-6418
Fax: (867) 873-0659