Federal Programs

Indigenous Services Canada

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program

The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program provides eligible First Nations and Inuit clients across Canada with health benefits not covered through other social, provincial and private insurance benefit plans. For information see About the Non-Insured Health Benefits program (sac-isc.gc.ca)

The medical supplies covered include ostomy supplies and requires a prescription from an NIHB recognized prescriber (MD, NP NSWOC, WOCC etc)  and prior approval by the NIHB Regional Office. Once approved, providers/vendors bill the NIHB directly, so you are not required to pay deductibles or copayments for approved products. For more information see 13.0 Medical surgical equipment and supplies benefits list (sac-isc.gc.ca)

Prior approval forms and claim forms can be found here NIHB (express-scripts.ca) 

Jordan’s Principle

Jordans Principal is a legal requirement resulting from the Orders of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and is not a policy or program.​

Jordan's Principle makes sure all First Nations children living in Canada can access the products, services and supports they need, when they need them. Funding can help with a wide range of health, social and educational needs, including the unique needs that First Nations Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA children and youth and those with disabilities may have.​

More program details:

• Applies to all First Nations children, regardless of whether they live on or off-reserve. ​

• Applies to all government services for First Nations children including mental health, special education, dental, early childhood services, physical therapy, speech therapy, medical equipment (including uncoated and hydrophilic intermittent catheters) and more. ​

• Is not limited to children with disabilities. ​

• Can provide services to First Nations children even when the service is not available to other children.​

• Jordan’s Principal does not replace the products and services covered under the NIHB program. However, Jordan’s Principal may apply to products and services that are not covered through NIHB

For more information, please see the links below:

Jordan's Principal

Jordan's Principal Handbook  (developed and made available by the Assembly of First Nations)