Extended Health Benefits for Seniors in the NWT: What's Covered and How to Enrol

Who the EHB Program Serves

The Extended Health Benefits program provides health coverage beyond what the standard NWT Health Care Plan offers. It is available to eligible Métis and non-Indigenous NWT residents aged 60 and older. Indigenous residents receive comparable coverage through the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits program or the NWT Métis Health Benefit program, which have their own enrollment processes.

The EHB program fills a gap that catches many families off guard during a care transition. Standard territorial health insurance covers physician visits, hospital care, and clinical services — but it does not cover prescription drugs at the pharmacy, medical supplies, or the travel costs of getting to appointments outside your community. EHB covers all three.

What Is Covered

Prescription drugs — 100% coverage of approved medications on the NWT Pharmacare Formulary, with no deductible and no co-payment at the pharmacy counter. Non-formulary drugs — medications not on the approved list — are not covered and must be paid out of pocket or through a private plan.

Medical supplies and equipment — 100% coverage of medically necessary items such as mobility aids, with no cost-sharing. This includes walkers, wheelchairs, and similar assistive devices when prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Medical travel — 100% coverage of approved travel costs to access insured health services or specialized dental care that is not available in the senior's home community. Starting September 1, 2026, medical travel benefits are being integrated under the EHB system, streamlining what had previously been a separate administrative process.

Boarding and lodging — When a senior must travel for medical care, the Medical Travel Office coordinates accommodation at designated boarding homes. If a senior chooses to stay in private accommodations instead, the program reimburses up to $50 per night for lodging and $18 per day for meals.

Enrollment and Maintenance

Seniors enrolled in EHB are exempt from annual re-applications — once approved, coverage continues as long as they maintain an active NWT Health Care Card. This is a notable advantage over several other territorial benefit programs (like the Senior Home Heating Subsidy) that require annual renewal.

However, "maintaining an active Health Care Card" is not entirely passive. Seniors who leave the territory for extended periods may need to confirm their residency status. If your parent enters a long-term care facility in a southern province through the Out-of-Territory Placement Program, their NWT health coverage continues — but the administrative coordination requires documentation that the placement was clinically authorized through the territorial system.

How EHB Interacts With Long-Term Care

For seniors in NWT long-term care facilities, the EHB program covers medications that are on the Pharmacare Formulary. Facility residents do not pay for formulary drugs. However, if a physician prescribes a non-formulary medication — one that is not on the approved list — the cost falls to the resident or their family.

Medical supplies and equipment provided within the facility are generally covered as part of the facility's operating budget, not through EHB claims. But if a senior in care needs specialized equipment beyond what the facility provides, EHB may cover it when prescribed by a healthcare provider.

The medical travel component becomes particularly relevant for seniors in remote communities who need to travel to Yellowknife or a southern city for specialist appointments. EHB covers the travel, and the non-medical escort policy can fund a family member's travel if the senior cannot travel safely alone.

The EHB Benefit During Care Planning

For families weighing the total cost of keeping a parent at home versus facility placement, EHB coverage changes the math. A parent aging at home who needs $400/month in prescription medications pays nothing out of pocket for formulary drugs through EHB. Without this coverage, those medication costs would be an additional burden on top of home care, heating, and daily living expenses.

The Northwest Territories Long-Term Care Costs & Subsidies Guide covers how EHB, the Pharmacare Formulary, and medical travel benefits work together with other territorial programs during both home-based care and facility transitions.

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