Condoms covered for First Nations under NHIB

UOI OFFICES   – Good news coming out of the Anishinabek Nation just in time for Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week – male condoms are covered through Non-Insured Health Benefits.

Jody Cotter, HIV and AIDS program coordinator at the Union of Ontario Indians says the first step is to make an appointment with a doctor or a nurse practitioner.

“Ask for a prescription for condoms,” says Cotter.  “If someone requires two a day because they are quite active, the two condoms a day for one month equals 60 condoms and the doctor can write it as a repeat for three months – meaning they will get 180 condoms.”

“All you have to do is present your Indian Status Card with your prescription and pick out what brand is right for you.”

“The coverage that is offered by the First Nation Non-Insured Health Benefits is 44 cents per condom so if your condoms cost more than that, you just have to pay the difference,” says Cotter.

The last step, says Cotter, is to go home with the condoms and USE THEM to help prevent HIV and Hepatitis C.

“Condoms have been covered for a while, but many of us don’t know about it,” says Cotter.  “We’re using Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week to spread the word.”

Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week is December 1-5.