Understand your Métis Health Benefits

If you are an Indigenous Métis resident of the Northwest Territories, you may be able to receive extended health benefits that help pay for drug, dental, vision, and medical supply costs. This page explains who the program is for and what kinds of benefits it offers

Métis Health Benefits can help with costs that are not covered by your NWT Health Care Card.

You may receive coverage for:

• Prescription drugs that meet program rules
• Dental services and products
• Vision care such as a portion of the cost of eyeglasses
• Medical supplies and equipment prescribed by a health care provider
• Travel needed to access eligible benefits

You must use any employer or private insurance you have before Métis Health Benefits can help.

Métis Health Benefits may apply to you if you:

• Live in the Northwest Territories as a permanent resident
• Have a valid NWT Health Care Card
• Self-identify as Métis
• Are not registered under the Indian Act and are not recognized as Inuk by an Inuit land claim organization
• Can provide proof of membership from an eligible Indigenous government or Indigenous organization

If you qualify for Métis Health Benefits, you do not use Extended Health Benefits or the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits program.

When you use your benefits:

• Many pharmacies, dental clinics, optical providers, and medical suppliers can bill directly.
• If direct billing is not available, you may need to pay up front and submit a claim for reimbursement.
• Claims must be submitted within the required timeframe.