Question Period Note: Non-Insured Health Benefits Program - Dental Care

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• The Government of Canada, through the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program (NIHB), provides registered First Nations and recognized Inuit with coverage for dental care.
• A broad range of dental services are eligible for coverage under the Program, including:
- Diagnostic, preventive, restorative, endodontic, periodontal, removable prosthodontic, oral surgery, adjunctive and orthodontics;
- Medical transportation benefits, so that eligible clients can access dental services that are not available in their community.
• NIHB clients do not pay deductibles or co-payments. The NIHB program encourages dental providers to bill the program directly and not to balance-bill clients so that clients do not face charges at the point of service.
• Programs like these are making life more affordable for Indigenous Peoples and ensuring they have access to the health services they need.

The Non-Insured Health Benefits Program covers eligible First Nations and Inuit clients unless otherwise covered under another plan or program or through a separate agreement (such as a self-government agreement).

In addition to client travel, medical transportation expenditures also include costs associated with transporting health care professionals to under-serviced and/or remote and isolated communities to facilitate access to medically necessary services.

If pressed on dual dental benefits
• NIHB clients will be eligible under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) as long as they meet all the eligibility criteria.
• When an NIHB-eligible client is also covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), claims should be submitted to NIHB first.