Effective April 25, 2023 the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program provides coverage for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems for eligible individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who require insulin, regardless of age. This policy is aligned with Diabetes Canada’s recommendations.
“Diabetes Canada welcomes the government’s decision to include eligible individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes using insulin to help manage their blood sugar levels. These devices have demonstrated to be life-changing for many people” says Glenn Thibeault, Executive Director of Government Affairs, Advocacy and Policy for Diabetes Canada. “This commitment is important because it recognizes the benefits a CGM can have on an individual's ability to maintain their blood sugar levels to reduce the risk of life-threatening emergencies, as well as developing the serious complications of diabetes.”
This policy aligns with Diabetes Canada’s evidence informed policy statement on reimbursement of intermittently-scanned and real-time continuous glucose monitoring devices and reimbursement recommendations to public and private payers. The NIHB policy includes all individuals using insulin, regardless of their individual insulin regimen.
The NIHB program is a national program that provides a range of health benefits for eligible First Nations and Inuit peoples living in Canada. Indigenous peoples living in Canada are among the highest-risk populations for type 2 diabetes and related complications. This is a result of several overlapping and complex factors, including Canada’s historic and continued colonial policies, such as residential schools, Indian hospitals, and the 60’s scoop; lack of access to healthy, nutritious, and affordable food; and a strong genetic risk for type 2 diabetes. The age-standardized prevalence rates for diabetes are 17.2% among First Nations peoples living on-reserve, 10.3% among First Nations individuals living off-reserve, and 7.3% among Métis people, compared to 5.0% in the general population.
Diabetes Canada will continue to work closely with all governments and other stakeholders towards achieving optimal health outcomes for people living in Canada with diabetes and those at risk of diabetes.