Non-Insured Health Benefits for First Nations and Inuit

Non-Insured Health Benefits Program for First Nations and Inuit

There are a number of health-related goods and services that are not insured by provinces and territories or other private insurance plans. To support First Nations people and Inuit in reaching an overall health status that is comparable with other Canadians, Health Canada’s Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program for First Nations and Inuit provides coverage for a limited range of these goods and services when they are not insured elsewhere.

The program’s number in BC is 604-666-3331 or 1-800-317-7878 (toll-free).

How Hepatitis C Treatments are Covered by NIHB

Hep C treatments are labeled as limited use drugs, or drugs effective in specific circumstances, or which have quantity and frequency limitations. For drugs in this category, specific criteria must be met to be eligible for coverage.

Hepatitis C Treatments Covered by NIHB

Genotype	Treatment	Listed Treatment Criteria
1	Galexos + Pegylated Interferon with Ribavirin (PR)	For the treatment of chronic hep C in treatment naive and treatment experienced patients who meet all of the following criteria: Detectable levels of hep C in the last six months A liver fibrosis stage F2 or greater Patient has not received a full therapeutic course of Victrelis (boceprevir) or Incivek (telaprevir)
1	Sovaldi + Pegylated Interferon with Ribavirin	For the treatment of chronic hep C in adult patients with compensated liver disease, including cirrhosis, if the following clinical criteria and conditions are met: A liver fibrosis stage F2 or greater Treatment naive If approved, treatment should not exceed a duration of 12 weeks.
1	Holkira Pak +/- Ribavirin	Detectable levels of hep C in the last six months A liver fibrosis stage F2 or greater Treatment request completed by a specialist or experienced physician If approved, treatment should not exceed a duration of 24 weeks.
2	Sovaldi + Ribavirin	Detectable levels of hep C in the last six months A liver fibrosis stage F2 or greater Previous treatment experience with PR; OR A medical contraindication to PR If approved, treatment should not exceed a duration of 12 weeks.
3	Sovaldi + Ribavirin	Detectable levels of hep C in the last six months A liver fibrosis stage F2 or greater Previous treatment experience with PR; OR A medical contraindication to PR If approved, treatment should not exceed a duration of 24 weeks.