Treatment coverage in your region

Prescription Drug Programs in the Northwest Territories

The Government of the Northwest Territories (NWT) provides coverage of prescription drugs through Alberta Blue Cross. People need to have a Health Care Card before they can apply for drug coverage. People who do not have a health card can contact the NWT Health Care Plan.

In the NWT, there are three programs that help eligible residents cover the cost of their prescription drugs:

Métis Health Benefits (MHB)

• Covers the total cost of eligible health services and prescription drugs, including hepatitis C medications, for indigenous Métis residents.

Prescription Drugs and Dental Benefits for Seniors

• Covers a portion or the total cost of prescription drugs and dental care for NWT residents who are 65 and older.

Extended Health Benefits (EHB) for Specified Diseases

• Covers a portion or the total cost of prescription drugs for people living with certain diseases and conditions. People can apply for Extended Health Benefits to cover the cost of their hepatitis C medications.

Registered First Nations and recognized Inuit people may be able to access coverage for their hepatitis C medications through the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program.

NIHB is a federal program that provides eligible First Nations and Inuit people with coverage for many prescription drugs and health services.  People can contact NIHB by phone or mail at:

Non-Insured Health Benefits – Northwest Territories and Nunavut Region
First Nations and Inuit Health
Health Canada
60 Queen Street, 14th floor
Postal Locator 3914A
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9                                                                                             Toll-free: 1-888-332-9222

Coverage for Hepatitis C Medications

In the NWT, coverage for hepatitis C medications varies depending on an individual's prescription drug program.

Income Assistance (IA) recipients can speak to their case workers to find out about getting their medications covered through their IA health benefits. If people do not have prescription drug coverage, they can apply for Extended Health Benefits (EHB) by completing an EHB application form. A letter will be sent to applicants informing them if their hepatitis C medications will be covered through the EHB program.

Peg-interferon and ribavarin are included in the NIHB formulary, a list of drugs that are eligible for coverage by both the NWT government and Health Canada. These hepatitis C medications are considered of Limited Use Benefit and require approval before they will be covered by Alberta Blue Cross or NIHB. People must have their specialist submit a written request to Alberta Blue Cross or NIHB for approval. The written request must indicate that the treatment is for a person with chronic hepatitis C who has not previously been treated for the condition. If the request is approved, people will have their medications covered for up to 48 weeks.

For more information about programs that may be able to help cover the costs of hepatitis C medications, contact the NWT Department of Health and Social Services at 1-800-661-0830.