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Non-Insured Health Benefits Program Update
This update provides the latest news from the NIHB Program. It is intended to inform First Nations and Inuit clients, as well as their representative organizations, about their coverage as well as NIHB policy and benefit updates.
June 2013
- Highlights of NIHB's 2011/12 Annual Report
- Health Canada will launch a streamlined version of its website in June 2013
- Pharmacy Benefit Information
- Medical Supplies and Equipment Benefit Information
- Dental Benefit Information
March 2013
- Pharmacy Benefit Information
- Prescription Drug Abuse Strategy
- Medical Supplies and Equipment Benefit Information
- Dental Benefit Information
January 2013
December 2012
- Coordinating Benefits Under More Than One Plan
- Pharmacy Benefit Information
- Dental Benefit Information
- Medical Supplies and Equipment Benefit Information
September 2012
- Pharmacy Benefit Information
- Dental Benefit Information
- Medical Supplies and Equipment Benefit Information
- NIHB Client Inquiries
June 2013
Highlights of NIHB's 2011/12 Annual Report
The NIHB Program released its 2011/12 annual report in April 2013. Highlights include:
- In 2011/2012, the Program spent almost $1.1 billion on NIHB benefits. This included about $459 million on pharmacy benefits, the Program's largest expenditure, followed by NIHB medical transportation ($333 million) and dental benefits ($219 million).
- As of March 2012, the Program had 896,624 eligible clients (95.4% First Nations and 4.6% Inuit clients).
- The Atlantic Region had the largest increase in eligible clients, because of the registration of 21,419 new Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nations clients.
- Overall, the First Nations and Inuit client population is relatively young (average age of 31 years old) compared to the general Canadian population (average age of 40 years old).
A summary of the annual report is available on NIHB's website.
Health Canada will launch a streamlined version of its website in June 2013
Health Canada is removing or archiving outdated content on its website so Canadians can find the health- and safety-related information they are seeking quickly and easily. As a result, you may notice changes to the NIHB Program's web site. The purpose of this renewal is to improve users' online experience, making sure the most sought after information is accessible.
Pharmacy Benefit Information
Codeine and Children Under 12
Health Canada has reviewed the safety of prescription pain and cough medications containing codeine and is no longer recommending their use in children less than 12 years of age. As a result of this recommendation, as of June 7, 2013, the NIHB Program will no longer provide coverage for codeine or codeine-containing products for children under 12. This recommendation is based on very rare cases of serious side effects and deaths in children that have been attributed to codeine, when given directly to a child, or to babies from breast milk. In 2008, Health Canada informed healthcare professionals and the public of the risk of codeine use in nursing mothers. Symptoms of a toxic reaction to codeine, or any other opioid, may include dizziness, confusion, extreme sleepiness, or sudden shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
In addition, caution is advised regarding the use of codeine in any patients with breathing conditions, including children. Patients who experience difficulty breathing should seek immediate medical attention.
Clients with concerns or questions about treatment options should speak to their healthcare provider(s).
The following are pharmacy initiatives under NIHB's Prescription Drug Abuse strategy:
Pregabalin (Lyrica®) Now Covered By NIHB for Certain Health Conditions
Pregabalin (Lyrica®) is a drug used to treat certain types of neuropathic pain, also known as nerve pain. As of April 30, 2013, NIHB will cover pregabalin under the Program as a limited use drug. This means clients will need to meet certain criteria and receive approval from NIHB before coverage will be granted. In this case, pregabalin will only be available to clients with certain types of pain (i.e. nerve pain), and only if other drugs, like amitriptyline, don't work or cause side effects the client cannot tolerate.
Adding pregabalin as an NIHB benefit is part of the Program`s Prescription Drug Abuse strategy to provide health professionals and clients with alternatives to opioids for the treatment of nerve pain.
Meperidine (Demerol®) Will No Longer Be Covered By NIHB
Meperidine (Demerol®) is a drug similar to morphine that is intended to be used to treat moderate to severe pain on a short-term basis. Regular use of meperidine, even for medical purposes, may be harmful and can lead to physical dependence, a natural reaction that occurs when the body gets used to having a certain drug.
Until recently, the NIHB Program provided coverage of meperidine. However, due to safety concerns, as of July 9, 2013 the Program will no longer cover this drug. Clients are encouraged to consult their health prescribers prior to ending the use of this medication and to discuss pain management alternatives.
NIHB Is Expanding Safety Measures for Clients Taking Methadone in Saskatchewan
Methadone is a drug that can be used to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings in people who are dealing with drug addiction. The NIHB Program is trying to ensure that clients taking methadone are not also provided potentially harmful doses of other drugs of abuse.
Since 2011, the NIHB Program has had measures in place in the Atlantic region where clients receiving methadone have restrictions for their opioids such as Tylenol 3® and their benzodiazepines such as Ativan®. This approach has helped to protect clients' safety.
As of May 6, 2013, NIHB expanded these restrictive measures to Saskatchewan.
Drugs that are restricted when clients in Saskatchewan are also taking methadone include:
- gabapentin such as Neurontin®;
- benzodiazepines such as Ativan®;
- stimulants such as Concerta®; and
- opioids such as Tylenol 3®.
NIHB asks Saskatchewan clients who are taking methadone to choose one doctor to write all prescriptions for drugs monitored by NIHB. This helps to ensure that the client has an established relationship with a doctor who has complete information about the medications the client is accessing, and can help optimize the client's treatment while helping to prevent misuse. These measures for clients taking methadone will be expanded to other provinces at a later date.
Medical Supplies and Equipment Benefit Information
Improving Benefit Access for Clients with a Permanent Need for Incontinence Supplies
On April 1, 2013, NIHB changed its approval process to allow clients with a permanent medical condition to access incontinence items for two years instead of one year. Incontinence items include diapers, disposable liners and pull-ups. As part of the new approval process, the client's physician or nurse practitioner must indicate the client has a "permanent condition" directly on their prescription.
When a client with a permanent medical condition is approved for a two year period, it will reduce the time it takes for clients to receive these items because the provider will not need to contact the NIHB regional office as often for approval. During this period, providers can dispense the required items as per NIHB policy (450 items per three-month period).
Clients with a temporary medical condition will continue to require a yearly prescription.
Providers will need to seek prior approval from their local Health Canada regional office for clients who need more items than the Program's frequency guidelines allow.
March 2013
Pharmacy Benefit Information
Limiting Tiotropium (Spiriva®) to Certain Health Conditions
Tiotropium, marketed under the brand name Spiriva®, is a drug used to treat breathing problems in people with certain health conditions. Based on a recommendation by NIHB's Drugs and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (DTAC), the Program is limiting coverage of this drug to certain types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive disease (meaning it becomes worse over time) that makes it hard to breathe. NIHB no longer requires clients with moderate to severe COPD, like bronchitis and emphysema, to try another medication first, like Atrovent. This improves access for clients who will benefit most from this therapy.
Limiting Nabilone (Cesamet®) to Certain Health Conditions
Nabilone, marketed under the brand name Cesamet®, is used to manage nausea and vomiting due to cancer chemotherapy or radiation. Based on a recommendation by NIHB's DTAC, effective April 30, 2013, it will no longer be available as an open benefit. Instead, the Program is limiting coverage of this drug to treatment of:
- Nausea and vomiting due to cancer chemotherapy or radiation; or
- Clients eligible for NIHB's palliative care formulary (i.e. for relief of suffering of an incurable disease).
- Coverage will be granted for a maximum of six months. If coverage is required beyond the initial six months, additional coverage may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Prescription Drug Abuse Strategy
Prescription Drug Abuse Strategy Protects Clients' Safety
This is a follow-up to the articles on new NIHB Program restrictions for clients on high doses of benzodiazepines (e.g. sleeping and anxiety pills) and gabapentin (e.g. pills for pain) published in the Client Newsletter in January 2013. The NIHB Program has decided that the Gabapentin Monitoring Program (GMP) and Benzodiazepine Monitoring Program (BMP) will no longer be used to manage clients' restrictions of benzodiazepines and gabapentin. Instead, the Program will use the existing Prescription Monitoring Program as it deals with potential overuse of not only benzodiazepines and gabapentin, but also with opioids (e.g. pain killers) and stimulants (e.g. to treat attention disorders).
NIHB will not Cover Long Acting Oxycodone
Long acting oxycodone is used to treat moderate to severe pain when continuous, long term pain management is required. OxyContin, a long acting oxycodone drug, was discontinued in Canada in 2012. Following this withdrawal, generic oxycodone recently became available in Canada. The NIHB Program has concerns about the potential for misuse and abuse of this drug and will not include generic brands of long-acting oxycodone on its Drug Benefit List (DBL). These drugs will not be covered under any circumstance.
NIHB has taken action under its Prescription Drug Abuse Strategy to prevent and respond to potential misuses of prescription drugs so that First Nations and Inuit clients can access the medications they need without being put at risk. Alternative therapies are available for clients requiring long acting drugs in this family.
Claiming for Methadone, Opioids, Benzodiazepines and Stimulants
The NIHB Program will no longer accept manual claims for certain drugs like methadone, opioids, benzodiazepines and stimulants due to safety concerns. These drugs can be misused and abused and their use must be followed very carefully to ensure clients do not receive harmful doses. NIHB must receive these claims in the Program's electronic claims processing system at the point-of-sale (i.e. when prescriptions are filled at the pharmacy). This ensures accurate and timely monitoring of these drugs.
Prescription Drug Abuse Surveillance Strategy
NIHB's Prescription Drug Abuse Surveillance Strategy tracks how drugs like methadone, opioids, benzodiazepines and stimulants are prescribed and dispensed. NIHB has an electronic system that closely monitors claims for these drugs and lets health providers know if there is a concern. The goal of these measures is to protect clients' safety.
Medical Supplies and Equipment Benefit Information
New Prescribers Can Now Prescribe Custom-Made Shoes
As of March 1, 2013, the NIHB Program will allow podiatrists to prescribe custom-made shoes and orthotics, as well as modifications to off-the-shelf footwear. Clients continue to need a prescription from a general practitioner, nurse practitioner or podiatrist for a referral to a recognized NIHB footwear provider if they require these products. This policy change is meant to improve access to footwear benefits for clients.
January 2013
Prescription Drug Abuse Strategy Protects Clients' Safety
Drugs have the potential to help but also to harm. The NIHB Program takes client safety and prescription drug abuse very seriously. This is why the NIHB Program is implementing a number of changes to its pharmacy benefits under a Prescription Drug Abuse (PDA) strategy. This strategy includes a wide range of measures for the safety of eligible First Nations and Inuit clients. Please contact Health Canada's Regional Offices for more information on these Prescription Drug Abuse (PDA)-related initiatives.
New Restrictions for Clients on High Doses of Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (for example Ativan) are drugs used to treat conditions such as anxiety and sleeplessness. Long term use of benzodiazepines raises safety concerns, especially when used in high doses. If a client's pattern of use of these drugs exceeds a safe threshold, the client will be requested to have one prescriber for all their benzodiazepines. When a client attempts to fill a prescription that exceeds the safe threshold, the pharmacy will receive a rejection message and be asked to call the NIHB Drug Exception Centre (DEC) for further information.
On March 4, 2013, the NIHB Program will place a dose limit on benzodiazepines. This limit will be initially set high (total dose of benzodiazepines of 120 mg per day) and will be lowered appropriately until an acceptable limit is reached. According to the product monograph for benzodiazepines, the recommended usual adult dose is up to 40 mg per day.
New Restrictions for Clients on High Doses of Gabapentin
Gabapentin is a drug used to manage conditions such as epilepsy or chronic pain and may be harmful if clients take more than the maximum recommended daily dose.
To ensure client safety, on January 3, 2013, clients receiving more than 5000 mg of gabapentin per day will be placed in the new Gabapentin Monitoring Program (GMP). These clients will be requested to have one prescriber for all their gabapentin.
On March 4, 2013, the NIHB Program will place a dose limit for all clients on gabapentin of 5000 mg per day. A transition period will be permitted for clients on high doses of gabapentin to meet this new dose limit.
Brand Name Ritalin no Longer Listed on the NIHB Drug Benefit List (DBL)
Ritalin is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). On January 3, 2013, the NIHB Program will no longer provide coverage for the brand name version of Ritalin (methylphenidate). The Program will continue to provide coverage for the generic version of Ritalin as well as other ADHD treatment options including Dexedrine and Concerta. These products will be available as open benefits therefore they will be covered without the pharmacy having to call the NIHB DEC.
Removal of brand and generic versions of Tylenol #4
On January 9, 2013, the NIHB Program will no longer provide coverage for Tylenol #4 or its generic versions. This decision is based on a recommendation by the NIHB Drugs and Therapeutics Advisory Committee.
Tylenol #4 is a pain killer which contains 300 mg of acetaminophen and 60 mg of codeine per tablet. When a client takes the maximum allowable number of tablets of Tylenol #4 or one of its generic versions available, they are getting more codeine per day than is recommended by recent Canadian treatment guidelines (600 mg). At these high doses, clients are being put at risk of serious adverse events.
Other options for the treatment of pain covered by the NIHB Program include over-the-counter (OTC) preparations of acetaminophen, OTC and prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil, prescription codeine, morphine, hydromorphone or fentanyl patches as well as prescription medications for neuropathic pain, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta).
Top of PageDecember 2012
Coordinating Benefits Under More Than One Plan
Many First Nations and Inuit people have health coverage under more than one benefit plan, such as from their province/territory (a public plan), their employer (a private plan) and the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program. If this is the case, all plans should be used when claiming for benefit expenses.
Making claims under more than one plan is called "coordination of benefits." Coordinating benefits means that clients are using the coverage that is available to them from all plans. For example, when NIHB clients go to a pharmacy to get a prescription filled, they need to tell their pharmacist about their other coverage. This enables the pharmacist to submit the claim to the right plan in the right order.
Some plans coordinate benefits electronically and the client's health provider will submit all of the information needed to coordinate the claim. Some plans require the client to pay for the item, service or prescription and mail-in the receipts. For NIHB eligible benefits, the Program will cover any remaining amount not covered by the other plan(s), up to the Program's maximums.
Clients can find more information about how to coordinate pharmacy benefits, as well as the NIHB Client Reimbursement Form in the Benefits Information section.
Pharmacy Benefit Information
Safety Measures for Benzodiazepines and other Drugs of Concern
November 19 marked the first day of National Addiction Awareness week. Health Canada's Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program takes the issue of client safety and prescription drug abuse seriously. The NIHB Program is introducing a wide range of measures as part of a Prescription Drug Abuse Strategy to make sure that eligible First Nations and Inuit clients can get the medications they need without being put at risk.
Initial stages of NIHB's Prescription Drug Abuse Strategy will focus on benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are drugs sometimes used to treat conditions like anxiety and sleeplessness. Chronic or long time use of benzodiazepines raises safety concerns, especially when used in high doses. To protect clients' safety, starting in November 2012, NIHB began requiring clients receiving high doses to obtain them from one prescriber through the NIHB Benzodiazepine Monitoring Program. These clients will have forms sent to their pharmacy which they need to bring to the prescriber of their choice, who will become their only prescriber for benzodiazepines. In Quebec, the forms will be sent directly to the client's doctor. OnMarch 4, 2013, the NIHB Program will set a limit on the dose of benzodiazepines for which NIHB will provide coverage.
NIHB will also be expanding these safety measures to include opioids, and a dose limit will be gradually implemented. More detailed information regarding these strategies will be communicated in the future.
Birth Control Products
The Evra Patch, Nuvaring vaginal ring, and intrauterine devices (or IUDs) are birth control options. On November 5, 2012, the NIHB Program changed the listing status of both the Evra Patch and Nuvaring to open benefits. This means these products will be covered by the NIHB Program without prior approval. In addition, IUDs can now be obtained more often under NIHB. These changes make accessing these birth control options easier. Please note that exceptions to the above guidelines may be made on a case-by-case basis, as required.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Drugs
Concerta is a brand name drug taken once a day to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). On October 16, 2012, the NIHB Program began providing clients greater access to this drug, as well as the generic version, by moving them to open benefits. This means these products will be covered by the NIHB Program without prior approval.
Triptans for Migraines (e.g. Imitrex, Zomig)
Triptans are drugs used to treat migraine headaches. While these drugs are considered to be safe when used as directed, there can be serious problems if a person takes them too frequently. To protect the safety of clients, the NIHB Program is changing its coverage of Triptans to limit how much a client can receive in a month (12 units every 30 days). This limit was recommended by the Program's expert Drugs and Therapeutics Advisory Committee, and is consistent with other public drug plans in Canada.
There are many treatment options covered under the NIHB Program used to manage migraine headaches. These include over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) as well as many prescription drugs. Clients are encouraged to speak with their health care providers to determine the option(s) that best suit(s) their needs. For more details on the products that are available under the NIHB Program, please refer to the NIHB Drug Benefit List.
Emergency Dispense Process for Drugs
NIHB's Drug Exception Centre is responsible for granting approval for coverage of certain types of drugs. However, emergencies can happen at a time of the day or night when this Centre is closed. When emergencies occur, a pharmacist may give NIHB clients a four-day supply of certain drugs, when there is a medical need, and the client cannot wait for the Centre's approval. Please note that not all drugs are available through the emergency supply process.
NIHB's Drug Exception Centre will review the pharmacists' request for drug coverage as soon as possible. The pharmacist will be notified once a decision on approval is made for the remaining prescription.
More information on NIHB's emergency supply process is available in the Program's Provider Guide for Pharmacy Benefits.
Dental Benefit Information
Changes to NIHB's Dental Crown Policy
A crown is an artificial cap used to cover a damaged or decayed tooth. A crown is not considered an emergency dental service. The NIHB Program provides coverage for two types of crowns: porcelain fused to metal and metal crowns. These crowns have a good track record over several years and provide good resistance and function. The Program will consider coverage for a crown mainly when the tooth can no longer be restored with a filling, yet has enough healthy tooth structure to support it.
As of November 1, 2012, the NIHB Program implemented a frequency of one crown in any three year period per client. Clients are reminded that the NIHB crown policy, guidelines and criteria still apply and that predetermination (also known as prior approval) remains mandatory for all crown requests.
For more information on this crown policy, please see the NIHB Dental Benefits Guide.
NIHB's Updated Dental Benefits Guide
The NIHB Program would like to inform clients that, as of January 1, 2013, the NIHB Dental Policy Framework (2005) will no longer be available on the Health Canada website as it is no longer current.
Clients are encouraged to consult the NIHB Dental Benefits Guide, which contains the most up-to-date information on the NIHB Program and its policies relevant to dental providers and clients.
Medical Supplies and Equipment Benefit Information
Incontinence Supplies for Adults
Incontinence products include diapers, disposable liners and pull-ups. NIHB is changing its approval process to allow clients with a permanent medical condition to access these items for two years instead of one year.
When a client with a permanent medical condition is approved for a two year period, it will reduce the time it takes for clients to receive these items because the provider will not need to contact the NIHB regional office as often.
Clients with a temporary medical condition will continue to require a yearly prescription.
Providers will need to seek prior approval from NIHB for clients who need products more frequently than the Program's guidelines.
September 2012
Pharmacy Benefit Information
Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen Products
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are drugs often used to relieve fever and pain, such as headaches or body aches. These products are available in a wide-range of forms such as tablets, caplets or capsules. While all provide the same pain relief, certain forms are more expensive than others. For this reason, starting September 25, 2012, NIHB will no longer cover more expensive forms of these ibuprofen and acetaminophen products.
If a client has a prescription for one of the affected items and requires a refill, the client will need to switch to another form of the drug. The NIHB Program continues to cover a wide variety of these products.
For more details on the acetaminophen and ibuprofen products that are available under the NIHB Program, please refer to the NIHB Drug Benefit List.
Injectable Opioids
Opioids are drugs used to relieve pain. When taken orally, these medications are typically effective in alleviating pain; however, some forms are injected (i.e. by needle). Injected opioids may raise safety concerns as they can be abused, and lead to overdose or infection.
Given safety concerns, as of September 25, 2012, injectable opioids will no longer be available under NIHB as open benefits. Injectable opioids will now only be covered on an exception basis for clients with specific conditions (e.g. cancer) and for those with pain management needs associated with end-of-life care. The Program may consider covering other clients, but this will be based on a case-by-case review of medical information from a client's doctor and pharmacist.
A variety of other pain relief options will continue to be available for clients who cannot get injectable opioids. Clients who have questions about their options for pain management should speak with their health care provider(s).
Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP)
NIHB's Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) monitors the use of certain prescription medications when there are concerns about potential misuse and abuse. NIHB has added gabapentin to the list of medications that are monitored under the PMP. Gabapentin is a non-opioid medication used to treat chronic pain.
When the NIHB PMP identifies a pattern of drug use that is not safe, a client is asked to choose one doctor to write all prescriptions for medications monitored under the PMP. This helps to ensure that the client has an established relationship with a doctor who has complete information about the medications the client is accessing, and can help optimize the client's treatment while helping to prevent misuse.
Other drugs monitored under NIHB's PMP include benzodiazepines such as Ativan, stimulants such as Ritalin, and opioids such as Tylenol with Codeine.
Expansion of the Short Term Dispensing Policy
The NIHB Program's Short-Term Dispensing (STD) policy was implemented on September 9, 2008 to set rules around payment of dispensing fees to pharmacies for short-term fills of chronic use medications when it is medically necessary. The Program set this policy because medications to treat chronic conditions can, for the most part, be dispensed less often and in larger quantities (e.g. a client might receive a monthly supply of a chronic medication). NIHB found, however, that these types of medications were instead being dispensed very often, or on a short-term basis (e.g. dispensed daily in some cases) leading to the pharmacy being paid many more dispensing fees even though the client did not require medicine to be dispensed so frequently. This was causing Program costs to go up unnecessarily.
The STD policy provides that when short-term dispensing of chronic use medications is medically necessary, the Program will pay the pharmacy up to one usual dispensing fee every twenty-eight days, up to the regional maximum of the Program. If these medications are dispensed daily, the Program will compensate 1/28th of the usual dispensing fee, up to the Program's regional maximum.
As of July 15, 2012, the STD policy was expanded to also include anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and stimulant medications. This was done because NIHB identified patterns of repeat short-term dispensing for these medications instead of the chronic-use medications noted above. When short-term dispensing of these medications is medically necessary, the Program will compensate pharmacists up to one usual dispensing fee every seven days, up to the regional maximum of the Program. If these medications are dispensed daily, the Program will compensate 1/7th of the usual dispensing fee, up to the Program's regional maximum. When these medications are dispensed less frequently than every seven days such as once a month, the pharmacy will be entitled to one full dispensing fee, up to the regional maximum of the Program.
Dental Benefit Information
Client Requests for Dental Claim Reimbursements, Predeterminations or Appeals
As part of the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012, the NIHB Program will be centralizing the administrative processing and review of dental benefit claims at NIHB Program Headquarters in Ottawa. The goal of centralizing this administration is to promote consistency and reduce overhead costs by creating one national dental unit instead of having separate units in every region across Canada. The processing and review work in each regional office will be transferred to Ottawa in a phased approach starting in September 2012. Clients who need to be reimbursed for their claims, wish to send a predetermination request, or who want to appeal a decision about their dental coverage should send their requests to the new Ottawa location as of the following dates:
- Northern Region (Nunavut, NWT and YT) - September 1, 2012
- Saskatchewan - October 1, 2012
- Atlantic region (PEI, NS, NB and NFLD) - November 1, 2012
- Quebec - February 1, 2013
- Ontario - April 1, 2013
- Alberta - June 1, 2013
- Manitoba - September 1, 2013
New address and contact information for client dental reimbursements or appeals requests:
National Dental Predetermination Centre
Non-Insured Health Benefits
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada
Address Locator 1902D, 2nd Floor, Jeanne Mance Building
200 Eglantine Driveway, Tunney's Pasture
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
Toll Free Phone #: 1-855-618-6291
Toll Free Fax #: 1-855-618-6290
Medical Supplies and Equipment Benefit Information
New Pricing for Incontinence Supplies for Adults
On September 1, 2012, a new national pricing system was implemented for certain incontinence supplies (adult diapers and disposable liners) under the NIHB Program.
The Program did a review of all prices paid by the NIHB Program for these select incontinence supplies in each region, as well as the pricing information in manufacturers' pricing catalogues, the price points set by other public/private health care plans, and industry group consultations. As a result of this review, the NIHB Program established new nation-wide prices for adult diapers and disposable liners that ensure the Program is paying a reasonable price for these items. An allowance has been made for clients living in the territories to accommodate for higher costs.
This change will not affect how clients obtain incontinence supplies under the Program.
NIHB Client Inquiries
- Alberta
- 1-780-495-2694
Toll-free: 1-800-232-7301 - Atlantic
- 1-902-426-2656
Toll-free: 1-800-565-3294 - British Columbia
- 1-604-666-3331
Toll-free: 1-800-317-7878 - Manitoba
- Toll-free: 1-800-665-8507
- Northwest Territories/Nunavut
- Toll-free: 1-888-332-9222
- Ontario
- Toll-free: 1-800-640-0642
- Quebec
- 1-514-283-1575
Toll-free: 1-877-483-1575 - Saskatchewan
- Toll free 1-866-885-3933
- Yukon
- Toll-free: 1-866-362-6717
