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Nunavut

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 Nunavut.

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

HEALTH SERVICES

Nunavut Health and Social Services (HSS)

Nunavut Health and Social Services (HSS) covers all Nunavut residents for medically necessary doctor bills and hospital fees. Some services from allied health professionals are covered, as long as they are provided in hospital. To have your medical services billed directly to HSS, carry and show your Nunavut health card.

There are three other HSS health plans that cover more than the basic benefits. The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) plan is funded by the federal government and provides coverage for vision, dental, prescriptions, transportation, residential care facilities and medical supplies. Extended Health Benefits (EHB) offers similar coverage to non-aboriginals who are seniors or who have been diagnosed with a serious chronic disease. Finally, Indigent Health Benefits (IHB) covers people who are on income assistance for any medical expenses that are not covered by the other plans.

HSS will cover your airfare if you are referred by a Nunavut doctor for treatment outside your community. There is a $250 co-payment, but NIHB and IHB clients will get assistance with that amount as well.

More about NIHB coverage.

Contact:
Nunavut Health Insurance Programs
Department of Health and Social Services
Bag 3
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
X0C 0G0

Toll-free: 1-800-661-0833
Fax: 1-800-645-8092
E-mail: nhip@gov.nu.ca
Website: Nunavut Health and Social Services

Health coverage outside Nunavut

Your Nunavut health card entitles you to the same coverage you receive in Nunavut anywhere in the country. Providers should bill Nunavut Health and Social Services (HSS) directly when you present your card; if they have questions, ask them to call the 1-800 number on the back of the card.

Health coverage outside Canada

Outside the country, you are strongly advised to take out private travel insurance even for short trips. This is because Health and Social Services (HSS) will only cover you for the amount that services cost in Nunavut – the actual bill is likely to be much higher in many parts of the world.

If you have to pay for HSS-insured medical expenses out-of-pocket and you don’t have travel coverage, contact HSS for reimbursement. You will need itemized, original receipts.

Insured Services
Department of Health and Social Services
Bag 3
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
X0C 0G0
Phone: (867) 645-8039
E-mail: nhip@gov.nu.ca

Prescription drugs

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) and Extended Health Benefits (EHB) cover prescription drugs for eligible Nunavut residents. To find out if a specific drug is covered, or for more information about the plans, contact the Health Benefits Coordinator:

Health Benefits Coordinator
Department of Health and Social Services
Bag 3
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
X0C 0G0
Phone: (867) 645-8027
E-mail: nhip@gov.nu.ca

Allied health professionals

In general, Nunavut Health and Social Services (HSS) only covers fees from allied health professionals if the services are delivered in a hospital. The three extended benefits plans offer more coverage for allied health services.

Locate a...
(where services for Nunavut do not exist, contact information for NWT or Manitoba is provided.)

• audiologist
• chiropractor: Contact Dr. Rod P. Tordoff at (867) 920-4398
• dentist: Contact the Northwest Territories & Nunavut Dental Association and Yukon Dental Association at (867) 873-6416
• dietitian
• ergonomist: Contact Life Care Planning at (867) 920-4920
• kinesiologist: Contact Life Care Planning at (867) 920-4920
• massage therapist (Select 'Nunavut' from the 'Province/State' dropdown menu followed by the 'Search' button)
• midwife: Contact the Rankin Birth Centre at (867) 645-8306.
• occupational therapist
• optometrist: Find listings by searching in Thompson, Manitoba (where the nearest optometrists are located) on this page.
• podiatrist: Nearest podiatrists are found in Manitoba. Find listings on this page.
• psychologist: Contact the Association of Psychologists of the Northwest Territories, Robert O'Rourke, President omegamarine@theedge.ca
• speech pathologist: Contact Life Care Planning at (867) 920-4920

To find out what services are covered, call Nunavut Health Insurance Programs toll-free at 1-800-661-0833.

Cancer care

If you get cancer in Nunavut, you will probably be sent to Yellowknife, Edmonton, Winnipeg or Ottawa for treatment. As chemotherapy is not widely available, you may have to stay away for an extended period of time. Nunavut Health and Social Services (HSS) will cover most of your airfare, but lodging and other expenses will be your responsibility. The Canadian Cancer Society may be able to help.

Your drugs, surgery and treatment will be covered under Extended Health Benefits (EHB) as cancer is one of the chronic diseases on the list.

Flu shot

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

Mental health care

Nunavut Health and Social Services (HSS) offers the following mental health and addiction services through the various regional Health Centres:

• Counseling
• Group healing
• Community wellness workshops
• Screening and referring to treatment programs
• Case-management
• Crisis management

As there are no residential mental health facilities in Nunavut, persons needing these services are usually sent to Ottawa.

To access mental health services, contact your local Health Centre. You can also call the Kamatsiaqtut Help Line for more support at (867) 979-3333 or toll free at (800) 265-3333.

Palliative care

Nunavut residents with terminal illnesses can receive palliative care in their homes through the Home and Community Care program of Health and Social Services (HSS). You need to be referred to palliative care by a doctor before these services are available.

Wait times

Nunavut does not track wait times as most non-emergency surgery is performed outside the territory.

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 Nunavut, you are required by law to report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Then you must report the injury to the Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB) 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.

Accident report form. (requires Adobe Reader)

Telephone support

If you live in a remote community or need specialist care from outside Nunavut, 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 local Health Centre.

DISABILITY SUPPORT

Assistive devices

People who qualify for Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) or Extended Health Benefits (EHB) are supplied all needed assistive devices and medical equipment by their local Health Centre. If you are not covered under one of these plans, or an employer plan, then you will need to buy any devices you need on your own. You may also wish to purchase an upgraded version of the device your Health Centre offers you.

You can find companies that sell assistive devices using Industry Canada’s online directory.

Employment support for people with disabilities

If you have a disability, you can receive counselling, training and placement in a sheltered workshop through Nunavut Health and Social Services (HSS). Assistance with the disability-related costs of going to work may be obtained from the Sivuniksaliurniq (“how to prepare for your future”) program of the Department of Education.

More information on Sivuniksaliurniq.

Financial support for people with a disability

Nunavummiut with a disability can get last-resort assistance with basic living costs from the Income Assistance program of the Department of Education.

More about Income Assistance.

The Nunavut Housing Corporation provides public housing to those in need.

More about Public Housing.

Home care

Health Canada provides the First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program directly to Nunavummiut. Non-aboriginals in Nunavut can access the services, too. The program provides the nursing, personal care, home making and therapeutic support necessary for seniors, children with special needs and adults with disabilities to live independently in their homes.

More about the Home and Community Care Program.

For more information please contact your local Health Centre or the Territorial Home and Continuing Care Coordinator at (867) 975-5933.

Assisted living for seniors

Assisted living options for seniors in Nunavut are limited. There are elder care residences in Iqaluit, Baker Lake and Arviat, and some adult group homes for elders in Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet. Seniors can access these beds based on assessed need and space available.

Seniors who need less than 24-hour care are served by the Home and Community Care Program.

For more information about Nunavut residential care options visit the Health and Social Services website, or contact your local Health Centre.

Assisted living for people with a disability

All attempts will be made through the Home and Community Care Program to enable Nunavummiut with a disability to remain living independently in their own homes. If a serious physical or intellectual disability makes this impossible, you may be able to access a supported living environment in an approved foster home. The Department of Health and Social Services (HSS) coordinates these placements.

People with more serious disabilities may be able to find care in long-term care facilities in Iqaluit, Baker Lake or Arviat, however due to limited space they may need to move out of territory.

For more information about Nunavut residential care options visit the Health and Social Services website, or contact your local Health Centre.

Respite services

Respite for caregivers is provided through the Home and Community Care Program and the various long-term care facilities. To inquire about respite, contact your local Health Centre.

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 the Nunavut Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act 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.

If you have concerns about how a doctor or other health professional is handling your information, you can request a review by the Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Information and Privacy Commissioner
5018-47th Street
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2N2
Phone: (867) 669-0976
Toll Free: 1-888-521-7088
Fax: (867) 920-2511
E-mail: atippcomm@theedge.ca

More about requesting a review.

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.

Nunavut recognizes both enduring and springing Power of Attorney agreements. A springing Power of Attorney must name a “declarant” who has the responsibility of deciding if the conditions for activation of the springing agreement have been met. Power of Attorney agreements must be made by a donor over the age of 19 who is capable of understanding all aspects of the agreement. They must be witnessed by two witnesses who are not involved in the agreement, or a spouse of one of the parties. You must also use the correct form.

To obtain forms, or if you have questions about Power of Attorney in Nunavut, contact the Office of the Public Trustee:

P.O. Box 1000, Station 560
Iqaluit, NU
X0A 0H0
Phone: (867) 975-6388
Toll Free: 1-866-294-2127
Fax: (867) 975-6343
E-mail: PublicTrustee@gov.nu.ca

Regulatory and administrative bodies

Public health insurance and regulation of the health sector is provided by the Nunavut Department of Health and Social Services (HSS). Services are delivered through local Health Centres.

Doctors are licenced and regulated by HSS directly in Nunavut. If you have questions or concerns regarding a doctor, contact the Office of the Registrar, Professional Licensing:

Professional Licensing
Department of Health and Social Services
P.O. Box 390
Kugluktuk, NU X0B 0E0
Phone: (867) 982-7672
Fax: (867) 982-3256 or (867) 982-7640

Nurses are certified by the Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Concerns about the handling of medical information should be forwarded to:

Information and Privacy Commissioner
5018-47th Street
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2N2
Phone: (867) 669-0976
Toll Free: 1-888-521-7088
Fax: (867) 920-2511
E-mail: atippcomm@theedge.ca