34
The Canadian Travellers’ Report Card
PRESERVATION OF HEALTH COVERAGE FOR FREQUENT TRAVELLERS
C
(2006: C-)
All permanent residents of the Northwest Territories are eligible for coverage. “Permanent resident” means a per-
son legally entitled to remain in Canada who makes his/her home in (and is ordinarily present in) the N.W.T. for six
months of the year, but does include a tourist, transient or visitor. “Makes his/her home” is defned as where the
person receives mail, keeps personal property, and spends the majority of time. Should an individual leave the
NWT under the conditions of temporary absence, the resident must remain in the N.W.T. for six cumulative months
after returning.
Change since last report:
The requirement to notify the N.W.T. Health Plan of an absence exceeding 90 days ap-
pears to have been eliminated.
Recommendations:
Maintain current legislative requirements and remove the confusion created by the contra-
dictory policy statement.
ACCESS TO EMERGENCY HEALTH COVERAGE WHEN TRAVELLING
A+
(2006: A+)
The Northwest Territories satisfes the portability requirements under sub-paragraph 11(1)(b)(ii) of the Canada
Health Act. In 2006, the territory reimbursed $1,283 per day for emergency in-patient services required by travel-
lers while out of the country. In addition, the N.W.T. reimbursed emergency out-patient hospital services at a rate
of $158 per day, which matches the out-patient rate per day paid by the territory for in-territory services. While no
updated fgures are provided the government does state that travelling N.W.T. residents will be covered for insured
hospital services at territorial rates.
Emergency physician services are reimbursed at N.W.T. rates.
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
Continue to update rates over time to match changes in real costs.
ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR USE DURING TRAVEL
C+
(2006: C+)
The Northwest Territories will only cover a one-month supply of prescription drugs, well below the 12 months that
residents are permitted, by the territory’s own rules, to be out of the territory without jeopardizing their eligibil-
ity for health coverage. However, the plan will reimburse plan members for drugs purchased outside the territory
once travel is complete.
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
Cover the cost of a supply of prescription medication equal to the permitted absence from
the territory.
Northwest Territories