Chronic Disease Program
The Chronic Disease and Disability Benefits Program provides benefits for Yukon residents who have a chronic disease or a serious functional disability.
A chronic disease is defined as a health condition or disease marked by a long duration or frequent recurrence.
A disability is defined as a serious functional impairment and includes partial and complete paralysis, amputation, brain damage and intellectual disabilities. It does not include sensory impairment such as poor vision or hearing deficits, except significant hearing loss in children under 16 years of age.
Diseases/conditions covered
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ADHD Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Adrenal Disease Affective Disorders HIV/AIDS Alzheimer's Disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Ankylosing Spondylitis Arthritis Asthma Barrett's Esophagus Cancer Celiac Disease Cerebral Palsy Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Cleft/Palate/Lip Conduction Disorders Congestive Heart Disease Crohn's Disease Cystic Fibrosis Cystinuria Diabetes Down Syndrome Epilespy Galactosemia Glaucoma Heart Valve Problems Hemophilia Hirschprung's Disease Huntington's Disease Hypercholesteremia Hypertension |
Hypogammaglobulinaemia Hypogonadism Ischaemic Heart Disease Maple Syrup Urine Disease Multiple Sclerosis Muscle Damage Muscular Dystrophy Myasthenia Gravis Narcolepsy Organ Transplants Osteoporosis Pancreatitis Parkinson's Disease Phenylktonuria Pernicious Anemia Pituitary Disease Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum Psoriasis Psychoses Restless Leg Syndrome Sarcoidosis Schizophrenia Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome Spina Bifida Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Thrombophlebitis Tourette's Syndrome Tuberculosis Turner's Syndrome Ulcerative Colitis Williams' Elf Syndrome |
Benefits
Financial assistance is provided for prescription drugs, medical surgical supplies, medical equipment, food supplements or prostheses that are medically required for the management of a condition, and are recommended by a medical practitioner licensed to practice in the Yukon.
The physician must apply for benefits on behalf of the patient. In communities without a resident physician, a community health nurse can make the application. Applications for benefits are normally made before a purchase is made although some circumstances may not permit prior approval.
A claim can be made for reimbursement of the cost with the recommendation of a qualified medical practitioner and all documentation. Claims must be made within one year of purchase.
Items covered
Food supplements are covered when medically required.
A prescription drug is defined as a recognized therapeutic agent that has restricted access under the federal Food and Drug Act or the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Coverage in this category includes professional dispensing fees.
Medical surgical supplies include body supports, prosthetic garments, osmotic supplies, hand inhalers and nebulizers, syringes and glucose test kits, oxygen supply and dressings, and bandages for chronic and recurrent conditions.
Medical equipment includes respiratory equipment, manually operated hospital beds, manually operated wheelchairs, walking aids, grab bars and support rails, commodes and glucometers.
Other equipment or devices that are medically necessary may be covered at the discretion of the Director and subject to prior approval.
Restrictions
Goods and services are not covered if benefits are already available through a federal and territorial act or by private or group insurance. There is an annual deductible. Program recipients are required to pay the first $250 of eligible costs per year, to a maximum of $500 per family.
The cost of medical equipment will not be covered if the equipment can be borrowed from a hospital or the Canadian Red Cross. Items not covered include the cost of installation or set up of medical equipment, fitting prostheses and appliances and any other professional service charges related to the provision of goods, except dispensing fees for prescription drugs.
People receiving benefits under the Chronic Disease Program are no longer eligible to receive benefits if they are absent from the Yukon for more than 183 consecutive days, unless the period is for no more than 210 days. The beneficiary must then satisfy the Director that the Yukon is his or her only permanent residence.
All purchases made outside the Yukon must have prior approval from the program. Payment for these purchases is handled only on a reimbursement basis and claims must be submitted within one year.
Chronic Disease Program
Health Services Branch
4th floor, Financial Plaza
204 Lambert St, Whitehorse
867-667-5092
1-800-661-0408, local 5092 (Yukon only)