36
The Canadian Travellers’ Report Card
PRESERVATION OF HEALTH COVERAGE FOR FREQUENT TRAVELLERS
A+
(2006: A+)
The Nunavut Health Care Plan is normally available to all residents of Nunavut. Resident is defned as anyone con-
tinuously residing in Nunavut for three months or more, intending to stay for at least 12 months.
Change since last report:
Nuvavut website indicates a three-month waiting period for benefts.
Recommendations:
None.
ACCESS TO EMERGENCY HEALTH COVERAGE WHEN TRAVELLING
A+
(2006: A+)
Nunavut satisfes the portability requirements under sub-paragraph 11(1)(b)(ii) of the Canada Health Act. In 2006,
the territory reimbursed $1,269 per day for emergency in-patient services required by travellers while out of the
country. In addition, Nunavut reimbursed emergency out-patient hospital services at a rate of $153 per day, which
matched 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 residents of Nunavut will be covered for insured hospital ser-
vices at territorial rates.
Emergency physician services are reimbursed at Nunavut 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
B+
(2006: B+)
There is no published policy regarding the quantity of prescription drugs that will be covered by Nunavut’s drug
program. While the absence of policy suggests that obtaining a supply equal to the permitted absence from the
territory is possible, there should be a clearly stated policy to inform travellers what they may request of their
physicians and the coverage they can expect. Travellers can take comfort, however, knowing that the territory will
reimburse plan members for drugs purchased outside the territory.
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
Confrm that the drug plan covers a supply of prescription medication sufcient for the per-
mitted absence from the territory.
Nunavut