CREE NIHB

The Cree Non-Insured Health Benefits (Cree NIHB) program provides eligible Cree and Inuit beneficiaries with coverage for a range of health benefits. The program sets out for eligible persons to benefit from whichever benefit is most generous through either the provincial or federal programs, with some exceptions.

The CBHSSJB is committed to improving the quality of health of eligible persons by enhancing transparency and by providing guidance to personnel for the efficient and equitable delivery or administration of services and other benefits.

Benefits and Services

• Drugs and pharmacy products include prescription drugs and select over-the-counter products, listed on the NIHB Drug Benefit List, as prescribed by a licensed prescriber or as recommended by a licensed health professional.
• Dental care covers a range of dental services that are described in the dental benefits guide, including preventive and restorative dentistry, root canal, dentures, crowns, oral surgery and orthodontics, some listed here requiring pre-approval.
• Vision care covers eye examinations, corrective eyewear when prescribed by a licensed vision care professional and eyeglass repairs.
• Hearing care covers hearing aids when prescribed by a licensed hearing care professional.
• Medical supplies and equipment includes items on the medical supplies and equipment guide, including for audiology, communication, footwear, limb and body orthotics, low vision, medical surgical, mobility, oxygen, pressure, prosthetics, respiratory, self-care, when prescribed by a recognized health professional or obtained from a recognized provider.
• Medical transportation covers travel costs, living expenses and emergency transportation, if travel is pre-approved for a medically necessary service covered by the program and unavailable in the patient’s community, including transportation for an escort when medically justified.
• Emergency mental health counselling is administrated by Maanuuhiikuu, as well as cultural and emotional support, for residential school survivors and their families.
• Services not covered:
  • Private or semi-private room requests
  • Surgery or other care of aesthetic reasons
  • Unrecognized pharmaceutical, dietetic or cosmetic products
  • Unapproved treatments received by a private clinic or outside of Canada, unless specified otherwise
  • Unprescribed services

For the latest updates on policy and benefits, you may consult this link.

Eligibility

• All Registered Cree, whether living on or off territory (up to 10 years), as well as Inuit Beneficiaries, living in Cree communities, under the JBNQA are eligible to receive these benefits and administrative support.
• Children less than 2 years old whose parent is a Cree NIHB eligible client.
• JBNQA beneficiaries living outside of Eeyou Istchee for a period of more than 10 consecutive years are covered by the Québec NIHB and can be contacted at 1-877-483-1575. Other beneficiaries living outside of Québec for over 10 years may contact Health Canada at 1-800-567-9604.

Payments and Reimbursements

• When you are referred by a health professional, all fees for treatment, travel, lodging, and meals in specific situations, are covered by the Cree NIHB, so no claims are required.
• If you make your own arrangements to seek services covered by Cree NIHB, the treatment fee is covered according to the policy. A service claim must be submitted to CNIHB department.
• The CBHSSJB staff will support you when the program impacts the services or treatments being provided, prescribed or recommended.
• If benefits are covered by another health benefit plan, claims must be submitted to the other plan first.

Appeal Process

• Clients, their parent, legal guardian or representative can appeal a decision when a benefit is denied through the Cree NIHB program.
• For more information on the appeal process, you may consult this document. 

Contact

(819) 855-2744
18_TCR_CNIHB@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
PO Box 250, Chisasibi, QC J0M 1E0