Greetings,
On behalf of the First Nations Health Authority Health Benefits team, we are pleased to present our inaugural Health Benefits Annual Report. This document provides rich data on how our clients utilize the First Nations Health Benefits (FNHB): information key to our efforts to transform the program. This document is shared with all First Nations in spirit of shared accountability and decision-making.
The transfer of such a large multi-faceted and embedded federal program was no easy task, but we met our success factors for transfer and ensured minimal or no disruption in services for First Nations clients and our provider partners. In April, we were pleased to announce decreased wait times across all Health Benefits areas, better customer service for our clients through frontline service training and cultural competency training for Health Benefits staff. Additional changes resulted from the recommendations of community Health Directors, including Medical Transportation Meal and Mileage Rate increases, and the release of our First Nations Health Benefits Information Package which supports clients to navigate the system in an easy and convenient way.
Our work in transforming First Nations Health Benefits is just beginning. We are still building and establishing the remaining systems needed to take over the full suite of services that is currently in ‘buy-back’ from Health Canada through our phased approach to transfer. Continuous customer services improvements and establishing service standards will support us in achieving our goal of clients and providers receiving the highest quality of services when working with FNHA Health Benefits. Conducting assessments of each benefit area and analysing how client control can drive criteria moving forward, these conversations represent a new way of administering the program through enhanced information sharing, collaboration, and collective direction.
Together we are making the changes needed to programming as envisioned in the numerous health plans and agreements that led to the transfer of health services and the creation of the FNHA. We thank our clients and providers for the support during this momentous journey of transformation and look ahead our continued work in the creation of a more effective health system for First Nations peoples in BC.
Sincerely,
John Mah
Vice-President, Health Benefits
First Nations Health Authority
Read the 2013-14 FNHA Health Benefits Annual Report. (PDF 1.54 MB)
The report contains rich data on how our clients use the FNHB and forms part of our shared accountability and decision-making that we have committed to with BC First Nations.
Learn more about the Health Benefits program here.