The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) announced today that it has made changes to  the eligibility criteria for Métis Health Benefits  to reduce barriers to access supplementary health insurance.

The Métis Health Benefits Policy first came into effect in 1995 and had not seen any substantial changes since then. The GNWT had heard concerns about the administrative practice for determining the ‘payor of last resort’ eligibility criteria.. 

Now applicants will no longer need to provide proof that they are not eligible for coverage under the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits Program. Instead, the amended Eligibility Criteria asks that the applicant self-identify as Métis and be a member of an Indigenous government or Indigenous organization in the NWT whose members hold or assert to hold Aboriginal rights in the NWT as affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. 

This change is a more respectful way of determining eligibility criteria for the Métis Health Benefits Policy and aligns with principles of self-determination identified in the United Nations Declaration.

Quote(s)

“The Métis Health Benefits Policy had not been updated in over twenty-five years and is no longer aligned with current needs and realities. The updated policy ensures Métis can continue to access non-insured health benefits through appropriate programs.”

- Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services

Quick facts

• The Northwest Territories is the only jurisdiction that provides supplementary health insurance benefits specifically for Métis.
• The policy allows for the GNWT to sponsor the Métis Health Benefits program to provide eligible Indigenous Métis residents of the Northwest Territories access to a range of benefits not covered by hospital and medical care insurance.
• The updated Métis Health Benefits Policy is still the payor of last resort, meaning that if other insurance plans are available, those plans must be used first.
• The Policy still requires that the applicant is not registered under the Indian Act or an Inuk recognized by an Inuit Land Claim organization but no longer require applicants to first be denied NIHB as proof.
• Benefits under the Métis Health Benefits program align with the Government of Canada’s Non-Insured Health Benefits Program (NIHB).
• The GNWT engaged Indigenous Governments and Indigenous Organizations that have members who may identify as Métis for feedback in making changes to the Métis Health Benefits Policy.

Related links

• Métis Health Benefits Policy
• NWT Métis Health Benefits Program

Media Requests, please contact:

Damien Healy

Manager of Communications

Department of Health and Social Services

Government of the Northwest Territories Damien_Healy@gov.nt.ca

(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034