Client Identification
To facilitate verification, all client identification information must
be provided for each claim and request for pre-verification, predetermination
and prior approval:
- Surname (under which the client is registered);
- Given names (under which the client is registered);
- Date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy); and
- Client identification number.
All Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) claims, predeterminations and
prior approvals are verified to ensure that client eligibility requirements
are met. Claims, predeterminations and prior approvals with missing client
identification information are returned to the provider for completion.
 It
is highly recommended that clients present their identification card
on each visit to the provider to ensure that the client information is
entered correctly and to protect against mistaken identity.
For infants under one year of age who do not have an acceptable client
identification number, please refer to Special
Provisions for Infants Under One Year of Age (Not applicable to dental
benefits).
Client Identification Numbers for Eligible First
Nations
Provision of one of these identifiers is required for eligible First
Nations clients (including registered Indians under the terms of the Indian
Act):
- INAC Number (also known as the Department of Indian Affairs of Northern
Development (DIAND), Treaty or Status Number) - This is a 10-digit
number issued by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), formerly
known as DIAND, to all eligible First Nations clients. The INAC number
is the preferred method of identifying First Nations clients. This
number is made up of:
- The first 3 digits identify the band to which the client belongs;
- The next 5 digits identify the client's family unit within the
band; and
- The last 2 digits identify the client's position in the family
(for example, 01, 02, and 03).
- Band Number and Family Number - If an INAC number
is not available, a band name or number and family number may also
be used as client identification.
- First Nations Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) Client Identification
Number (B-Number) - In specific and exceptional cases, some
clients may have numbers issued by FNIHB. This number begins with
the letter"B" and is followed by 8 digits.
 Client Identification Numbers for Recognized Inuit
Providing one of these identifiers is required for recognized Inuit
clients:
- Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) Health Care
Number - Inuit clients from the Northwest Territories may
present a Health Care Number issued by the Government of the Northwest
Territories. This number is valid in any region of Canada and is
cross-referenced to the FNIHB client identification number. This
number begins with the letter "T" and is followed by 7
digits.
- Health Care Number - Inuit clients from Nunavut
may present a Health Care Number issued by the Government of Nunavut.
This number is valid in any region of Canada and is cross-referenced
to the FNIHB client identification number. This is a 9-digit number
starting with a "1" and ending with a "5".
- FNIHB Client Identification Number (N-Number)- This
is a client identification number issued by FNIHB to recognized Inuit
clients. This number begins with the letter "N" and is followed
by 8 digits.
Neonatal Clients (Dental)
For dental services only, providers must contact the appropriate FNIHB
Regional Office for neonatal clients.
Special Provisions for Infants Under One Year of Age (Not applicable
to dental benefits)
Health Canada established special client identification provisions for
infants less than one year of age. These provisions are in place to allow
adequate time for parents eligible for benefits under the NIHB Program
to register their newborn children on the appropriate register (for eligible
First Nations clients) or list (for recognized Inuit clients).
To register an infant:
- For eligible First Nations clients , parents should
be referred to their Band Office or the Registration Services Unit
of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) at (819)
953-0960;
- For Inuit residing in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut,
parents should be referred to their respective territorial Department
of Health and Social Services; and
- For Inuit residing outside of the Northwest Territories and
Nunavut, parents should be referred to the nearest FNIHB
Regional Office.
Infants under one year of age who do not have an acceptable client identification
number may be eligible to receive benefits from the NIHB Program if one
of the infant's parents can be verified as an eligible client (not applicable
to dental benefits).
If a client identification number is not available for infants under
one year of age, this information must be provided to receive benefits:
- Infant's surname, given names, and date of birth; and
- Parent's registered surname, given names, and date of birth and client
identification number.
Note: To avoid benefit access rejection, parents must
obtain a client identification number for the infant prior to the infant's
first birthday.
Excluded Individuals
These individuals are excluded from the NIHB Program. Requests to access
NIHB benefits for these individuals should be submitted to the appropriate
facility:
- First Nations and Inuit clients incarcerated in a federal, provincial,
territorial or municipal corrections facility are the responsibility
of the correctional facility; and
- Children in the care of provincial social service agencies are the
responsibility of the province.
Advance Verification of Eligibility
Providers may verify client eligibility in advance of providing services by contacting
the Non-Insured
Health Benefits Toll-Free Inquiry Centre.
Non-Insured Health Benefits Provided Through First Nations and Inuit
Organization
The mandate of the NIHB Program is to provide non-insured health benefits
to eligible clients in a manner that facilitates First Nations and Inuit
control within a timeframe to be determined in consultation with them.
This is currently being tested under several agreements with First Nations
and Inuit organizations.
Providers are notified, through the quarterly NIHB Newsletters when
individual First Nations or Inuit organizations assume responsibility
for the delivery of the NIHB Program. At that time, members of those
groups receive benefits through their First Nations or Inuit organizations
rather than through the NIHB Program. Providers are directed to the appropriate
First Nations or Inuit organizations for further information.
These First Nations/Inuit Organizations have assumed responsibility
for the delivery of pharmacy, MS&E and dental benefits:
- Akwesasne Band #159
- Bigstone Cree Nation #458
- Labrador Inuit Health Commission
- Miawpukek (Conne River) Band #047
- Nisga'a Valley Health Board
- Gingolx (Kincolith) #671
- Gitakdamix (New Aiyanish) #677
- Lakalzap (Greenville) #678
- Gitwinksilkw (Canyon City) #679
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