Description to the right found from Qavvivik’s website
Qavvivik in Inuktitut means a place where one is raised up. Created in 2023, we are a non-profit organization run by and for Inuit living in southern Quebec. Qavvivik is dedicated to improving the health of Siqinirmiut (Inuit living in the south) by providing and facilitating access to services that are culturally adapted, safe and responsible to the community.
Qavvivik works for all Siqinirmiut and their families living in southern Quebec.
In May 2023 we moved into our administrative offices in Verdun and started to offer services to the community. Check out the programs and services we are offering now and follow us on Facebook for news. In March 2024 we began to offer medical services to Inuit at the Queen Elizabeth Health Centre at 2100 Marlowe, suite 236, Montreal. Check out the clinic page for more info.
We are a community organization responsive to our people. We invite all Inuit living in the south to become members. Simply fill in the membership form here and you are in!
Description to the right found on Native Montreal’s website
This family health clinic is dedicated to providing culturally respectful and safe front-line care that specifically meets the needs of Indigenous families and individuals living in Montreal and its metropolitan area. Committed to a complementary approach with public services, they work to facilitate access to comprehensive and tailored health care.
Join the waiting list here:
Description to the right found on Montreal Children’s Hospital website
This department provides consultations and liaison services for First Nations children in their communities and in Montreal. Staff are available in person in the 22 communities, and by telephone, email and telemedicine. For children who require tertiary and quaternary services in Montreal, the program’s pediatricians enhance liaison and organize follow-up in the children’s communities.
FASD
External links:
NIHB: Non-Insured Health Benefits of Nunavik
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The beneficiary number is required at all times (five-figure number appearing on the beneficiary card issued by Makivik).
- If the beneficiary card also includes an N number (on the right of the beneficiary card issued by Makivik), this means the beneficiary is covered by the federal NIHB program and NOT that of Nunavik. The beneficiary or his (in the interest of simplicity, the masculine or feminine form is used in this text to denote either sex) guardian must then send his applications to Non-Insured Health Benefits First Nations and Inuit Branch (sac-isc.gc.ca).
Eligibility:
Reside in Canada and be:
- A First Nation person who is registered under the Indian Act;
OR
- A child less than 2 years old whose parent is eligible; (must use eligible parent registration number)
OR
- An Inuk recognized by an Inuit Land Claim Organization, residing outside the James Bay Territory over 10 years. (N-number required to access the federal NIHB program)
Clients are eligible no matter where they live in Canada.
To find out whether the beneficiary is eligible for the program and if a required service is covered, contact Nunavik NIHB: ssna.rrsssn@ssss.gouv.qc.ca , 1-844-442-6442 (NIHB) Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Services are covered according to the program guidelines and criteria applicable to each service. It is up to the beneficiary or his guardian to pay the professional directly for the balance of fees not covered at 100%.
- In the case where the beneficiary or his guardian directly pays a supplier for the purchase of medications, supplies or services covered by Nunavik NIHB and wishes to be reimbursed:
- the beneficiary or his guardian must apply for reimbursement by e mail to ssna.rrsssn@ssss.gouv.qc.ca;
- If the claim has been reimbursed by another insurance plan, private or public, only the amount that has not been reimbursed can be claimed;
- the receipt for payment made to the supplier and a copy of original receipts are required;
- the beneficiary or his guardian must provide the information enabling direct reimbursement into his bank account;
- reimbursement shall be made according to the program criteria;
- all applications for reimbursement for admissible benefits must be submitted no later than one year after the service was obtained.
Medications and Pharmaceutical Products
NIHB: 1-844-442-6442 option 1, extension 104
The Nunavik NIHB program covers prescription medications and some over-the-counter medications available in pharmacies and administered at home or in outpatient settings.
The beneficiary or his guardian must present to the pharmacist the beneficiary card as well as a prescription issued by a physician or other health professional authorized under provincial law.
- The beneficiary or his guardian must ask the pharmacist to contact Nunavik NIHB in order to obtain authorization indicating the applicable reimbursement after checking the eligibility of the beneficiary, the prescription and the pharmacist’s fee.
- The authorization issued by Nunavik NIHB will indicate the amount to be reimbursed directly for the pharmacist. In case the program does not cover the total amount, the beneficiary himself shall pay the difference to the pharmacist.
Some pharmacists are not familiar with the Nunavik NIHB program and might ask for the N Number; if you do not have an N number on your beneficiary card, ask the pharmacist to send his fee statement by e-mail to Nunavik NIHB at ssna.rrsssn@ssss.gouv.qc.ca.
Medical Equipment and Supplies
NIHB: 1-844-442-6442 option 1, extension 104
The Nunavik NIHB program covers only prescription medical supplies and equipment.
All purchases for items and services in relation to medical supplies or equipment are eligible to the extent that such items and services are found in the guides and lists of benefits classified as admissible medical equipment and supplies of the Nunavik NIHB program.
Medical equipment and supplies include:
- compression clothing;
- medical supplies such as bandages;
- medical equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs;
- orthotic devices and specialized footwear;
- hearing devices such as hearing aids as well as repairs;
- equipment and supplies for respiratory assistance and oxygen therapy; · prosthetics such as artificial limbs.
The beneficiary or his guardian must present a prescription issued by a professional recognized under the Nunavik NIHB program (physician, nurse practitioner, occupational therapist, physiotherapist or nurse with an extended role) and must obtain medical supplies or equipment from a recognized supplier.
- The beneficiary or his guardian must ask the supplier to contact Nunavik NIHB in order to obtain authorization indicating the applicable reimbursement after checking the eligibility of the beneficiary, the prescription and the supplier’s fee.
- The authorization issued by Nunavik NIHB will indicate the amount to be reimbursed directly for the supplier. In case the program does not cover the total amount, the beneficiary himself shall pay the difference to the supplier.
Dental Services
NIHB: 1-844-442-6442 option 1, extension 102
The program covers a range of dental services that are described in the Dental Benefits Guide for First Nations and Inuit: Non-Insured Health Benefits program (sac-isc.gc.ca).
Basic dental services include:
- diagnostic services;
- preventive services;
- restoration services;
- endodontic services;
- periodontal services;
- services for removable prosthodontics;
- oral-surgery services;
- orthodontal services;
- complementary services.
This program provides eligible beneficiaries with coverage for benefits not covered by another public or private -health-insurance plan.
To obtain services, the beneficiary or his guardian must make an appointment for an examination or obtain a treatment plan.
- The beneficiary or his guardian must ask the supplier to contact Nunavik NIHB in order to submit the treatment plan to obtain authorization indicating the applicable reimbursement after checking the eligibility of the beneficiary, the treatment plan and the supplier’s fee.
- The authorization issued by Nunavik NIHB will indicate the amount to be reimbursed directly for the supplier. In case the program does not cover the total amount, the beneficiary himself shall pay the difference to the supplier.
Eye Care
NIHB: 1-844-442-6442 option 1, extension 102
Eye-care benefits under the NIHB program cover eye examinations and corrective lenses, particularly:
- eye examinations when not insured by the province or territory; · corrective lenses such as eyeglasses and contact lenses prescribed by an eye care professional;
- eyeglass repairs.
Eye-care benefits are covered in accordance with the program policies. Care must be provided by a supplier recognized under the Nunavik NIHB program.
- The beneficiary or his guardian must ask the supplier to contact Nunavik NIHB in order to obtain authorization indicating the applicable reimbursement after checking the eligibility of the beneficiary, the prescription and the supplier’s fee.
- The authorization issued by Nunavik NIHB will indicate the amount to be reimbursed directly for the supplier. In case the program does not cover the total amount, the beneficiary himself shall pay the difference to the supplier.
Mental-Health Counselling
NIHB: 1-844-442-6442 option 1, extension 104
If you are going through problems of emotional distress and wish to talk to someone, dial 1-855-242-3310 or chat online at hopeforwellness.ca. The Hope for Wellness Help Line for First Nations and Inuit is free of charge. It is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, dial 9-1-1 or your community’s emergency-services number.
Counselling services as well as services for cultural and emotional support are also available through the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program for eligible former students and their families (Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program (sac-isc.gc.ca).
The Nunavik NIHB program covers professional counselling for mental health in view of providing assistance in situations of immediate need in the area of mental health and supplementing the services for mental well-being provided in the community.
Beneficiaries of Nunavik can access benefits of mental-health counselling through an admissible mental-health counsellor without the need for a medical referral.
The program covers a maximum of 22 hours of counselling every 12 months.*
The beneficiary who wishes to obtain this service must undertake the procedures himself to contact the mental-health counsellor of his choice.** The mental-health counsellor must be a member in good standing of a professional governing body recognized by law and must be qualified for an independent practice in the province of Québec.
BEFORE beginning sessions, the beneficiary must ask the mental-health counsellor he selected to communicate with the Nunavik NIHB team to check his eligibility and to issue written authorization.
The sessions may begin only after the mental-health counsellor has obtained written authorization from the Nunavik NIHB team.
The sessions must be held by telephone, by videoconference (ZOOM, Skype, Messenger, Teams, etc.) or in person.***
The beneficiary will not be required to pay any fee if the mental-health counsellor receives the confirmation before the sessions begin, as said confirmation issued by the Nunavik NIHB team will indicate the procedure for reimbursement.
IMPORTANT: The mental-health counsellor will not be reimbursed for any appointments missed or cancelled by the beneficiary. The beneficiary shall be responsible for paying any penalty fees to the mental-health counsellor if he misses his appointments.
If the sessions are scheduled to be held by videoconference, the beneficiary shall be responsible for obtaining the telephone number to contact his mental-health counsellor in case of computer problems at the time of the appointment.
Traditional healer services travel policy
Medical transportation benefits, within the client’s region or territory of residence, may be provided for clients to travel to see a traditional healer or, where economical, for a traditional healer to travel to the community.
Medical transportation benefits to access traditional healer services must be preauthorized by FNIHB or a First Nations or Inuit health authority or organization. On an exception basis, authorization may be granted after the fact by FNIHB or a First Nations or Inuit health authority or organization when appropriate medical justification is provided and approved.
When the traditional healers selected by the client are outside of the client’s region or territory of residence, travel costs will be reimbursed for travel to the regional or territorial border only.
The following criteria must be considered prior to approving medical transportation benefits for traditional healer services:
- the traditional healer is recognized as such by the local band, tribal council or health professional
- a licensed physician can confirm that the client has a medical condition
- if a licensed physician is not routinely available in the community, then a community health professional or FNIHB representative can confirm that the client has a medical condition
To see more about medical transportation covered by NIHB services click here.
