PrEP Access for First Nations and Inuit Communities
PrEP for First Nations & Inuit People
First Nations and Inuit people who receive health benefits through Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) may access publicly funded PrEP either from Alberta Health’s program or directly through NIHB.
If accessing PrEP coverage through Alberta Health, individuals will follow the Alberta Health coverage process outlined here. One thing you will notice about accessing PrEP this way is that an individual must receive their prescription from a “designated prescriber” to qualify for coverage through Alberta Health for PrEP. Individuals seeking coverage for PrEP through Alberta Health must also meet the eligibility criteria in the Alberta PrEP Guidelines.
If accessing PrEP coverage through NIHB, however, individuals are not limited to prescribers on the designated prescriber list, meaning they can obtain prescriptions from physicians and nurse practitioners not on the list and still receive coverage. Additionally, because PrEP is not being accessed through Alberta Health’s PrEP program, the prescriber may assess someone’s eligibility for PrEP differently than what is outlined in the Alberta PrEP Guidelines.