Non-Insured Health Benefits Newsletter

First Canadian Health

News and Information for Our NIHB Providers

NIHB Toll-Free Inquiry Centre: 1-888-511-4666

For our Pharmacy Providers

Spring 2003

News and Views

Welcome to the spring 2003 edition of the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) quarterly newsletter. First Canadian Health (FCH) is now in its fifth year of operations as the claims processor for the NIHB Program of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) of Health Canada.

Again, FCH would like to thank you for your support as you continue to provide quality health services to First Nations and Inuit clients of the NIHB Program.

As always, your comments and questions are welcome. Please contact the FCH NIHB Toll-Free Inquiry Centre Representatives at 1-888-511-4666, or send your correspondence to:

FCH Provider Relations
3080 Yonge Street, Suite 3002
Toronto ON M4N 3N1

Coordination of Benefits with Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Limited Use List (for Ontario Pharmacies Only)

For eligible NIHB clients over age 65, Ontario pharmacists must coordinate drug benefits with the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program. Where drugs are listed on the ODB Limited Use Benefit list, Ontario pharmacists must obtain prior approval through ODB. This may include contacting the prescriber to have the prescription written on the ODB Limited Use prescription form. Results must be documented and kept on file in the NIHB client's profile for review during on-site audit.

For further information, Ontario pharmacists are asked to refer to Section 4 of the Pharmacy/MS&E Provider Information Kit (PPIK) where the requirement for coordination of benefits is explained.

Spring 2003 NIHB Drug Benefit List Update and APRIL 1, 2003 Reprint

Please find attached the spring 2003 updates to the NIHB Drug Benefit List (DBL). The changes (additions and discontinued drugs) announced in the attached updates are reflected in the April 1, 2003 reprint of the NIHB DBL.

Providers who requested a hard copy of the April 1, 2003 reprint of the NIHB DBL will be receiving it shortly.

The April 1, 2003 reprint of the NIHB DBL as well as the attached updates can be downloaded online at the following Internet address:

www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnihb/nihb/pharmacy/drugbenefitlist

To be added to the distribution list to receive a hard copy of the April 1, 2003 reprint of the NIHB DBL, a request must be submitted using the form below. Please fax the entire page to (613) 941-6249 no later than June 1, 2003. After that time hard copies of the April 1, 2003 reprint of the NIHB DBL will not be provided.

Name:
Provider Number:
Street Address:
City:
Prov. / Postal Code:

Should you have any questions, please contact the FCH NIHB Toll-Free Inquiry Centre at 1-888-511-4666.

Address Correction: Submission of Claims for Clients of Band #047 Miawpukek

In our last newsletter, under the heading "Submission of claims for clients of band #047 Miawpukek (formerly known as Conne River)", the address for sending claims with a date of service prior to November 1, 2002 was incorrect.

Claims with a date of service prior to November 1, 2002 should be sent to:

Susan Stockman
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
Health Canada
Maritime Centre
1505 Barrington Street
15th Floor, Suite 1525
Halifax NS B3J 3Y6

Claims with a date of service on or after November 1, 2002 which are first claims for infants under one year of age who are not registered with the department of Indian Affairs, or which are claim re-submissions for items after a period exceeding 30 days should continue to be sent to:

FCH, NIHB Claims Dept.
5770 Hurontario St., 10th Floor
Mississauga ON L5R 3G5

Should you have any questions, please contact the FCH NIHB Toll-Free Inquiry Centre at 1-888-511-4666.

FNIHB Regional Office Address Change for Northwest Territories and Nunavut

To recognize Nunavut as a separate territory, the FNIHB Northwest Territories/Nunavut Regional Office address has been updated.

Nunavut

FNIHB Nunavut
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
Health Canada
14th Floor, Postal Locator 3914A
Sixty Queen Building
60 Queen Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9

Northwest Territories

FNIHB Northwest Territories
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
Health Canada
14th Floor, Postal Locator 3914A
Sixty Queen Building
60 Queen Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9

These updates are reflected on the attached April 2003 directory.

Providers should note that the updated address is also reflected on prior approval confirmation letters for MS&E items.

Address on Prior Approval Confirmation Letters for Yukon and Atlantic FNIHB Regional Offices

Following the address change of the Yukon and Atlantic FNIHB Regional Offices indicated in the winter 2002-2003 newsletter, providers should note that the updated addresses are now reflected on prior approval confirmation letters for MS&E items.

Published quarterly by First Canadian Health Management Corporation Inc. at 3080 Yonge Street, Suite 3002, Toronto ON M4N 3N1