Health-care cards get a makeover
Health and social services department reminding residents to renew expiring health cards
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Friday, February 5, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Health cards in the NWT are getting a new look. As part of the territorial government's move toward a consistent look for its programs and services, the Department of Health and Social Services said in a news release that the health-care cards will be the first example of the new visual elements.
According to the Department of Health and Social Services, the appearance of the redesigned health cards are the first example of the new consistent look for all GNWT programs and services. - Image courtesy of Dept. of Health and Social Services |
"This is an opportune time to make the change," stated Health Minister Glen Abernethy.
"A majority of residents' health cards are set to expire on their birthdays in 2016."
Residents are to receive a reminder postcard in the mail about three months before their current health cards expire. They are also encouraged to look at their cards now to check for the expiry date. Residents can renew their card up to four months before it expires.
Abernethy said it is the personal responsibility of each individual to ensure that they renew their health card before its expiration date.
"If they do not renew and are travelling to another territory or province and require medical treatment, they will have to pay for the cost of the treatment," Abernethy stated. Though if receipts are provided to the government following treatment, that cost would be reimbursed.
The new cards have the same coverage as the old ones. Residents can still go to a hospital and health centre for treatment and will not have to pay for medically necessary services, according to the territorial government's Department of Health and Social Services. The department stated it has notified the provinces and other territories of the new health cards and has indicated the existing health cards will be phased out by 2019.
The new cards come at minimal added cost, according to Nick Saturnino, director of health service administration in Inuvik.
"We had to replenish our current health-care cards because of the current health-care card renewal process that is underway. We were running low in our current stock," Saturnino said. "We had looked at replenishing that stock ... the card is the same except for the look of the card."
Saturnino said discussions are underway into adding photos to NWT health cards. He said B.C. and Ontario both have photos on their cards. He added that health-care card fraud has not been a common problem in the NWT.
The department has sent out letters to community groups, service providers, professional associations as well as aboriginal and municipal governments informing them of the new health cards 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.
Residents who have moved or changed their name in the past three years are asked to keep the department up to date. Both the form to do this and the health-care card renewal form can be downloaded from the department's website.
People who need help to complete either form can contact the department.
"Our goal is to make sure residents renew their health cards before they expire so that their coverage is not interrupted," Abernethy stated. "Please remind your friends and family to check the expiry date on their health-care cards."
