Mental health counselling benefits for First Nations and Inuit: Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program
The NIHB mental health counselling benefit is not an emergency service.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 or the number for emergency services in your community.
The suicide crisis helpline is available by calling or texting 9-8-8. It provides a safe space to talk, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
If you're experiencing emotional distress and want to talk, call the First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca. It's toll-free and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 or the number for emergency services in your community.
Learn about the coverage available for mental health counselling under the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program.
Counselling, as well as cultural and emotional support, is also available through the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program for eligible former students and their families.
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About NIHB mental health counselling benefits
The NIHB program provides coverage for professional mental health counselling to complement other mental wellness services that may be available to clients or in communities. The NIHB program provides eligible clients with coverage for NIHB benefits not available under provincial or territorial health insurance, private insurance plans or other publicly-funded plans or programs.
How to access NIHB mental health counselling benefits
You can access NIHB mental health counselling benefits from an eligible provider.
Providers enrolled with the NIHB program generally send claims to bill the NIHB program directly. Claims processing services are provided by Express Scripts Canada. Information can be found on the Express Scripts Canada NIHB provider and client website.
Claims cover costs that are eligible for reimbursement under the NIHB program as per established fee guides. You may also submit reimbursement requests yourself. See Client reimbursement for more information.
What is covered
Every calendar year, an eligible client can receive up to 22 hours of counselling performed by an eligible provider on a fee-for-service basis, such as, individual or group counselling. Additional hours in the same calendar year may be provided on a case-by-case basis.
For more information on specific NIHB benefit policies and requirements, refer to the Guide to Mental Health Counselling Benefits: Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program.
Who can provide mental health counselling
To be eligible, providers must be registered in good standing with a legislated professional regulatory body and eligible for independent practice in the province or territory in which the service is being provided. This may include the following types of providers:
- registered psychologists
- registered social workers, clinical designation required where it exists
- registered psychiatric nurses
- registered psychotherapists
To learn more on provider eligibility by province and territory, refer to the Mental Health Counselling Benefits Guide: Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program.
Providers are encouraged to enrol with the program in order to submit claims directly. Visit Express Scripts Canada for information on the claims administration and payment processes for providers and to enrol.