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The Medical Transportation (MT) benefit is intended to supplement the cost of travel expenses to access medically necessary health services not available in your community of residence.
If you are registered with First Nations Health Benefits & Services (FNHBS), you are eligible for MT benefits. MT benefits may provide funding towards the cost of travel, accommodation and meals for the following:
Note: If you need someone to accompany you for medical travel, you may be eligible to travel with an Escort. To learn more about this benefit, please visit: https://www.fnha.ca/benefits/medical-transportation |
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Your MT Benefits provide assistance with the cost of meals, accommodation and transportation to help you travel to a medical appointment outside your community of residence.
MT coverage is intended as a supplement and may not cover the full cost of your travel. You can access medical transportation benefits if you are traveling to:
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WHAT IS NOT COVERED?Some types of travel are Exclusions. Exclusions cannot be covered as an exception and cannot be appealed.
MT benefit Exclusions include, but are not limited to:
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Regular repeated travel
Clients who need to travel repeatedly, twice or more per week, on a long-term basis to access medically necessary health services may receive Medical Transportation benefits for up to four months. Regular repeated travel beyond four months must be submitted as an Exception
Clients who need to travel repeatedly, twice or more per week, on a long-term basis to access medically necessary health services may receive Medical Transportation benefits for up to four months. Regular repeated travel beyond four months must be submitted as an Exception
The Medical Transportation benefit supplements the cost of meals in accordance with the following rates:
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Daily rate for same-day travel
over six hours
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Nightly Rate for short-term travel
up to 6 nights
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Weekly Rate for overnight trips
of seven nights or more
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If you need someone to accompany you on your trip to your appointment, you may be eligible to travel with an escort.
Medical transportation coverage may be available for an escort when a Client requires support to access medically necessary health services. Escort coverage is provided for the appropriate length of time the escort is required, based on the Client’s health, medical condition and legal requirements.
For coverage for an escort to be approved, the travel request must be submitted before the start of the trip.
For emergency hospitalization (e.g., via Medivac) requiring an escort, the travel request must be submitted within three days of the hospital admission. The payment of a fee, honorarium, or salary to an escort is not an eligible benefit under the medical transportation benefit.
Escorts are covered under certain conditions, including if you:
Medical transportation coverage may be available for an escort when a Client requires support to access medically necessary health services. Escort coverage is provided for the appropriate length of time the escort is required, based on the Client’s health, medical condition and legal requirements.
For coverage for an escort to be approved, the travel request must be submitted before the start of the trip.
For emergency hospitalization (e.g., via Medivac) requiring an escort, the travel request must be submitted within three days of the hospital admission. The payment of a fee, honorarium, or salary to an escort is not an eligible benefit under the medical transportation benefit.
Escorts are covered under certain conditions, including if you:
- Are a minor;
- Need help with activities of daily living (e.g., dressing, eating, or bathing);
- Are undergoing a medical procedure (e.g., day surgery) or have a medical condition that means you need help to get home;
- Will face a language barrier; or
- Are travelling to give birth.
- Individuals ages 65 and above that require assistance to attend scheduled medical appointments; and
- Clients travelling to and from substance use treatment centers.
Escorts for Clients in hospital
Clients who are in the care of a hospital outside their community of residence may receive coverage for an escort for the lesser of the length of their stay or five days. Requests for escort coverage for more than five days or an indeterminate period of time must be submitted as an Exception.
In order to provide a timely response to the Exception request, the Benefit Administrator must submit a copy of the Exception Request form and supporting documentation in advance. The Health Benefits program will assess the Exception request based on the continued need or responsibility of the escort to support the Client in the hospital.
Factors considered in assessing the eligibility of Exception requests for extended escort coverage include, but are not limited to:
• The escort will provide ongoing legal and decision-making services for the Client that can only be done in person;
• The escort will assist a Client who is elderly, frail, or has mental or physical impairments with daily activities that contribute to the Client’s recovery that cannot be provided by the hospital or care staff;
• The escort will provide the Client with translation or interpretive services that cannot be sufficiently addressed by the hospital or
• The escort will receive instructions on necessary medical procedures that cannot be given to the Client alone, within the requested extension period.
If a Client is transported to a hospital by Emergency Services without an escort, the Medical Transportation benefit may provide coverage for an escort to travel to the hospital where the Client is being treated. Coverage will be provided for the most economical means of travel from the Client’s community of residence or the escort’s community of residence, whichever is a lesser distance.
Clients who are in the care of a hospital outside their community of residence may receive coverage for an escort for the lesser of the length of their stay or five days. Requests for escort coverage for more than five days or an indeterminate period of time must be submitted as an Exception.
In order to provide a timely response to the Exception request, the Benefit Administrator must submit a copy of the Exception Request form and supporting documentation in advance. The Health Benefits program will assess the Exception request based on the continued need or responsibility of the escort to support the Client in the hospital.
Factors considered in assessing the eligibility of Exception requests for extended escort coverage include, but are not limited to:
• The escort will provide ongoing legal and decision-making services for the Client that can only be done in person;
• The escort will assist a Client who is elderly, frail, or has mental or physical impairments with daily activities that contribute to the Client’s recovery that cannot be provided by the hospital or care staff;
• The escort will provide the Client with translation or interpretive services that cannot be sufficiently addressed by the hospital or
• The escort will receive instructions on necessary medical procedures that cannot be given to the Client alone, within the requested extension period.
If a Client is transported to a hospital by Emergency Services without an escort, the Medical Transportation benefit may provide coverage for an escort to travel to the hospital where the Client is being treated. Coverage will be provided for the most economical means of travel from the Client’s community of residence or the escort’s community of residence, whichever is a lesser distance.
Medical Transportation benefits are provided for overnight accommodation on a case-by-case basis. Coverage is based on medical justification, time of appointment, distance travelled, location of accommodation and schedule of coordinated transportation.
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Overnight Hotel accommodations
Have an earlier appointment? Clients can get overnight accommodations to the nearest, cost-effective Hotel to ensure availability to attend scheduled appointments. |
Private accommodation rates
Clients who choose accommodation in a private home will be reimbursed in accordance with the following rates: Clients will now receive $50 per night when staying in a private home, and the maximum limit of $100 per week will no longer apply. |
Clients who choose to make different accommodation arrangements may seek reimbursement but will be responsible for any difference in cost.
• Not-for-profit accommodations such as the Easter Seals or Cancer Lodge must be used whenever possible. Accommodation for minors accessing treatment at BC Children’s Hospital or Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children should be arranged through the BC Family Residence Program.
• The Health Benefits program will cover the room cost and any appropriate taxes for the most efficient and economical accommodation.
• The Health Benefits program will not cover any incidental fees incurred by the Client.
• Accommodations lasting more than six nights should be in hotel rooms with a kitchenette.
• Not-for-profit accommodations such as the Easter Seals or Cancer Lodge must be used whenever possible. Accommodation for minors accessing treatment at BC Children’s Hospital or Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children should be arranged through the BC Family Residence Program.
• The Health Benefits program will cover the room cost and any appropriate taxes for the most efficient and economical accommodation.
• The Health Benefits program will not cover any incidental fees incurred by the Client.
• Accommodations lasting more than six nights should be in hotel rooms with a kitchenette.
Long-term or extended stays
• Travel for more than five consecutive nights in duration must be submitted as an Exception.
• Clients and escorts, if applicable, that are approved for a duration of more than six nights should be booked accommodations with cooking facilities and provided the weekly meal rate to purchase groceries.
• Extended stays for Clients accessing medical services where the Client is required to remain close to a treatment facility outside their community of residence must be submitted as an Exception and may be covered for up to a three-month transition period only. Clients are encouraged to arrange for alternative funding
• Travel for more than five consecutive nights in duration must be submitted as an Exception.
• Clients and escorts, if applicable, that are approved for a duration of more than six nights should be booked accommodations with cooking facilities and provided the weekly meal rate to purchase groceries.
• Extended stays for Clients accessing medical services where the Client is required to remain close to a treatment facility outside their community of residence must be submitted as an Exception and may be covered for up to a three-month transition period only. Clients are encouraged to arrange for alternative funding
Where you access the program depends on what Nation and/or community you are from and where you live.
If you live in community, please contact your community’s Patient Travel (PT) Clerk to access your MT benefits.
For Nuchatlaht Tribe Members, Audrey Smith is your community Patient Travel Clerk.
[email protected]
If you live outside your community, or are unsure who to contact for your travel, please call us at 1-855-550-5454.
If you live in community, please contact your community’s Patient Travel (PT) Clerk to access your MT benefits.
For Nuchatlaht Tribe Members, Audrey Smith is your community Patient Travel Clerk.
[email protected]
If you live outside your community, or are unsure who to contact for your travel, please call us at 1-855-550-5454.
1. Submit a Medical Transportation Request Form at least 5 business days before your trip to get prior approval before travelling.
You will also need to submit written confirmation of your appointment from your provider.
If you do not get prior approval for your trip, or if you do not submit your request form ahead of time,
you may have to reschedule your appointment or pay for your travel costs yourself and then request reimbursement.
2. Your community Patient Travel Clerk will make your travel arrangements and send you the details.
3. Attend your appointment as scheduled.
4. After your trip, submit a written confirmation of attendance (COA).
You must provide confirmation from your provider that you attended your appointment. If you need to request reimbursement, you will need to submit your written COA with your request.
Clients who do not attend their appointment may be asked to pay back the cost of their travel.
1. Submit a Medical Transportation Request Form at least 5 business days before your trip to get prior approval before travelling.
You will also need to submit written confirmation of your appointment from your provider.
If you do not get prior approval for your trip, or if you do not submit your request form ahead of time,
you may have to reschedule your appointment or pay for your travel costs yourself and then request reimbursement.
2. Your community Patient Travel Clerk will make your travel arrangements and send you the details.
3. Attend your appointment as scheduled.
4. After your trip, submit a written confirmation of attendance (COA).
You must provide confirmation from your provider that you attended your appointment. If you need to request reimbursement, you will need to submit your written COA with your request.
Clients who do not attend their appointment may be asked to pay back the cost of their travel.
APPLY FOR THE MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT:
Nuchatlaht Tribe members seeking to apply for the Medical Transportation Benefit may apply directly from our website below,
or access the download files to print off and fill out in person.
or access the download files to print off and fill out in person.
Apply online for medical transportation benefit <---
UPLOAD CONFIRMATION CLIENT ATTENDED APPOINTMENT (NEW)
