About the Nunavut Health Care Plan

Nunavut Health Care Plan

The Government of Nunavut offers the Nunavut Health Care Plan following the Canada Health Act.

The Nunavut Health Care Plan is managed by the Nunavut Health Insurance Programs Office in Rankin Inlet and makes sure that enrolled Nunavut residents have access to necessary medical services.

Nunavut Health Care Card

Every person enrolled in the Nunavut Health Care Plan is given a Health Care Card with their own unique nine digit number. The Nunavut Health Care Card confirms that the holder is enrolled in the Nunavut Health Care Plan.

To cover the costs of health services, the card must be shown at hospitals, health centres, nursing stations, public health offices or doctors’ offices in and out of Nunavut.

Nunavummiut that do not show the card at health facilities out of territory may have to pay for health care services up front or be invoiced.

Card holders that pay up front or are invoiced can apply for repayment from the Health Insurance Programs Office at the address below:

Nunavut Health Insurance Programs Office
Department of Health
Box 889
Rankin Inlet, NU
X0C 0G0

Phone: (867) 645-8001
Fax: (867) 645-8092
Toll Free: (800) 661-0833
E-mail: @email

Eligibility

Eligible

• Permanent residents of Nunavut. A “permanent resident” of Nunavut is a person who has Nunavut as their primary place of residence
• People holding an employment or student visa valid for one year or more. The visa must have a Nunavut address

Not Eligible

• Tourists and visitors to Nunavut
• Temporary workers on employment contracts for less than one year
• Students whose permanent residence is a province or territory other than Nunavut
• People holding an employment or student visa valid for less than one year
• People holding an employment or student visa that does not have a Nunavut address
• Inmates of federal penitentiaries

 Click here to apply for Health Care

Coverage

The Nunavut Health Care Plan covers the costs of certain doctor and hospital services.

Physician and Hospital Services in Nunavut

The Nunavut Health Care Plan covers the cost of seeing a licensed doctor registered with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Canada.

Physician Services

Services Covered

• Diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury.
• Surgery, including anaesthetic services and surgical assistance, where necessary.
• Obstetrical care, including prenatal and postnatal care.

Limitations and restrictions may apply.

Services Not Covered

• Yearly physicals between the ages of 10 and 65.
• Prescription drugs.
• Physical examinations at the request of a third party for: preschool or insurance medicals, food handlers or driver’s license examinations, immigration requirements, obtaining a passport, pre-employment requirements, etc.
• Optometric services.
• Dental services other than specific procedures related to jaw injury or disease.
• The services of chiropractors, naturopaths, podiatrists, osteopaths, and acupuncture treatments.
• Physiotherapy, speech therapy and psychology services not related to a hospital admission. 
• Any service to which a resident is entitled under legislation, such as Workers’ Compensation Act, Public Health Act or treatments as a result of service in the Canadian Forces.

Hospital Services

The Nunavut Health Care Plan covers the cost of certain hospital services provided while in the hospital or receiving services on an outpatient basis.

Services Covered

• Accommodation and meal at the standard ward level.
• Necessary nursing services.
• Laboratory, x-ray and diagnostic procedures, and interpretation.
• Drugs, biologicals, and related preparations when administered in the hospital. 
• Use of the operating room, case room, and anaesthetic facilities required for diagnosis and treatment, including necessary equipment and supplies.
• Radiotherapy treatment, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy when provided as an outpatient. 

Limitations and restrictions may apply.

Services Not Covered

• Services that are not medically required, such as cosmetic surgery.
• Services that are considered experimental.
• Ambulance charges (except inter-hospital transfers).
• Dental services, other than specific procedures related to jaw injury or disease.
• Alcohol and drug rehabilitation.
• Medical examinations at the request of a third party for: preschool, insurance, food handlers or drivers license, obtaining a passport, immigration requirements, pre-employment requirements, etc. 

Medical Travel

If a doctor, nurse, dentist or other health care professional tells you that you have to leave your home community for medical treatment, you may be entitled to medical travel benefits.

The Nunavut Health Care Plan will pay your airfare less a $250 round trip deductible (co-payment) from your home community to the nearest centre where treatment is available.

Click here for more information on medical travel

Updating Your Information - Click here