YELLOWKNIFE (February 2, 2016) – The NWT Health Care Card is getting a facelift. As part of the GNWT’s move towards a consistent look for its programs and services, the NWT Health Care Card will be the first to show the new visual elements of the GNWT.
“This is an opportune time to make the change,” said Glen Abernethy, Minister of Health and Social Services. “A majority of residents’ health care cards are set to expire on their birthdays in 2016.”
The new health care card will not affect residents’ health care coverage. Residents with this card can still go to a hospital or health centre for treatment and not have to pay for medically necessary services.
Residents will receive a reminder postcard to renew three months prior to their health care card expiring. They can also check the expiry date found on the bottom of their card to see when it will be expiring. They can renew their card up to four months before it expires.
“It is the personal responsibility of each individual to ensure that they renew their health care card before their card expires,” said Minister Abernethy. “If they do not renew and are travelling to another province or territory and require medical treatment, they will have to pay for the cost of the treatment.”
The Department has notified the provinces and other territories of the new health card and indicated that the existing health care card will be phased out by 2019.
The Department has sent out letters to community groups, service providers, professional associations, and Aboriginal and municipal governments informing them about the new health care card and asking them to notify their members or clients about the renewal process. The Department is also doing ongoing print and social media advertising to reach as wide an audience as possible.
“Our goal is to make sure residents renew their health care cards before they expire so that their coverage is not interrupted,” said Minister Abernethy. “Please remind your friends and family to check the expiry date on their health care cards.”
Residents that have changed their address or name in the past three years must complete and submit the Notification of Change/Update form. Both this form and the Health Care Card Renewal form can be downloaded from the Department of Health and Social Services website at www.hss.gov.nt.ca.
Anyone requiring assistance in completing the form can contact the following offices:
Health Services Administration Office by calling 1-800-661-0830 or emailing healthcarecard@gov.nt.ca.
Health and Social Services System Navigator by calling toll free 1-855-846-9601 or by emailing HSS_Navigator@gov.nt.ca.
Also, if there is a Government Services Officer (GSO) in your community they can assist residents with the NWT Health Care Card renewal process.
Completed forms can be mailed, scanned and emailed, or faxed to:
Health Services Administration Department of Health & Social Services Bag Service #9, Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0 Phone: 1-800-661-0830 Fax: (867) 777-3197 Email: healthcarecard@gov.nt.ca
Media Inquiries:
Damien Healy Manager, Communications Department of Health and Social Services Tel: (867) 767-9052 Ext. 49034 Email: damien_healy@gov.nt.ca