About this benefit
For many First Nations people, particularly those living in rural or remote areas, it can be challenging to access necessary medical care. The First Nations Health Benefits (FNHB) program helps address these challenges through the Medical Transportation (MT) Benefit.
FNHB works in partnership with First Nations communities to deliver the MT Benefit. If you need support accessing MT services, your key contacts are Community Patient Travel (PT) Clerks or FNHB MT Assessors. They can guide you through the process and help ensure you receive the assistance you need.
- For an overview of the MT Benefit, you can access our MT factsheet here.
- For detailed policy information, you can access the MT Benefit Schedule here.
Updates
Temporary increase to medical transportation mileage rate
As gas prices across British Columbia continue to fluctuate, FNHB is actively monitoring prices to ensure that changes do not impact Clients’ ability to access medically necessary appointments when using their private vehicles.
The temporary MT mileage rate of $0.32/km will be extended until September 20, 2026. Learn more here.
The closest appropriate provider policy
Effective April 13, 2026, FNHA has updated the Closest Appropriate Provider policy under the MT Benefit to provide clearer guidance on coverage options and Client support. These updates include:
- A new policy section outlining how cultural safety concerns are considered when travelling to the next closest appropriate provider.
- Clarified information on travel equivalency, outlining what is covered when a Client chooses to travel to a provider farther away but does not meet the eligibility criteria; and
To learn more about these updates, please visit our full news post here.
Meal rate increase
Effective December 1, 2025, The FNHA has updated the meal rates within the MT Benefit to better assist Clients on medical travel. For detailed information about the recent meal rate changes, please visit our news post here.
Commercial accommodation rate guide update
Effective December 1, 2025, The FNHA has updated its commercial accommodation rate guide based on current market prices. This update aims to support Clients in accessing safe and comfortable accommodations while travelling for medical care. For detailed information about the changes to accommodation rates, please visit our news post here.
Updated exception requirements
To support PT Clerks by streamlining the travel arrangement process, effective December 1, 2025, the following Exception requirements have been updated:
- Long-term stays: The “Stay over 5 nights” Exception threshold has been updated to stays of seven nights or more.
- Preventative screening programs: An Exception is no longer required for travel to provincially or health authority-funded screening programs.
- Non-FNHA-funded treatment centres: Exceptions are no longer required for substance use treatment travel, provided the treatment centre is licensed under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act, or registered through the Assisted Living Regulation.
- Clients undergoing sedation: An Exception is no longer required for escort requests when a Client is undergoing surgery or a procedure that involves sedation and will require assistance afterward.
For more details on the Exception requirement changes, please visit our news post here.
Additional information
The Health Benefits Program is available to First Nations people with Indian status who live in BC. The Health Benefits Program is also available to infants (up to 24 months) if at least one parent is eligible for the program. For full eligibility information visit the webpage here.
The MT Benefit is intended to provide financial support when a Client is accessing medically necessary health services not available in their community of residence. This support may include coverage towards the cost of transportation, meals and accommodation. It is intended as a supplement and may not cover the full cost of your travel.
MT Benefits may support travel to many different health-related services, such as:
- Services eligible under First Nations Health Benefits (e.g., dental, vision, etc.).
- Medical services covered by the BC Medical Services Plan or a public health agency (e.g., cancer related travel).
- Publicly funded diagnostic tests and preventative screening programs. • Traditional healers, if approved as an Exception.
- First Nations Health Authority funded Treatment Centres for substance use, recovery, and trauma programs.
- Witnessed ingestion of Opioid Agonist Treatment.
MT Benefits cover travel to the closest appropriate provider, using the most efficient and economical mode of transportation that best suits your medical needs and condition.
The MT Benefit supplements the cost of meals in accordance with the following rates (effective December 1, 2025):
| Fee schedule for meal rates | |
|---|---|
| Daily rate for same-day trips lasting more than six hours. | $36.75 per person, five years of age and over |
| $17.50 per person under five years of age | |
| Nightly rate for overnight trips up to six nights in duration | $73.00 per night per person, five years of age or over |
| $31.00 per night per person under 5 years of age | |
| Weekly rate for overnight trips of seven nights or more | $294.75 per week per Client |
| $442.75 per week per Client and approved escort* | |
*Note: The weekly rate of $442.75 per week is an inclusive rate for the Client and escort and applies only when the Client is an outpatient. An approved escort supporting a Client in the hospital will continue to access the weekly rate of $294.75 per week.
If you need help getting to or from your medical appointment, your MT Benefit may provide coverage for an escort to support you while travelling. This could be a family member or a friend who provides the support you need. You may need an escort if:
- You have a physical or mental disability and need help with daily tasks;
- You are undergoing a medical procedure like day surgery;
- You face a language barrier and need a translator; or
- You are travelling to give birth.
In some cases, you may need to provide documentation from your healthcare provider to confirm the need for an escort.
Most Clients should contact their community’s PT Clerk to access MT Benefits. If your community does not have a PT Clerk or you’re unsure who to contact, please call FNHB MT Operations at 1-855-550-5454.
Steps to access MT Benefit Coverage:
- Submit a Medical Transportation Request Form at least 5 business days before your trip to get prior approval. You will also need to provide written confirmation of your appointment from your healthcare provider. Please note that if you do not receive prior approval, you may need to reschedule your appointment or pay for your travel costs upfront and request reimbursement later.
- Your PT Clerk or MT Assessor at FNHB will make your travel arrangements and send you the details.
- Attend your appointment as scheduled and get a signed confirmation of attendance slip from your healthcare provider.
- After your trip, submit your confirmation of attendance slip. Any outstanding reimbursements will be processed once you submit this slip. Please note that Clients who do not attend their appointment may be asked to pay back the cost of their travel.
Check your benefits online:
Some types of travel and expenses are not covered under the MT Benefit. These are called Exclusions and cannot be reviewed through the Exceptions or Appeals process.
- Some examples include: Compassionate travel (e.g., travelling to visit a family member who is receiving medical treatment);
- Payment of fees for a doctor’s note;
- Travel back to your community of residence if you become sick or injured while away from home;
- Travel when the medically necessary service is available in your community;
- Travel to access medical appointments located outside of Canada;
- Travel to access services that are not considered medically necessary; or
- Travel where the only purpose is to pick up items that do not need to be fitted (e.g., prescriptions, prescription glasses or contacts and some medical supplies and equipment).
When a coverage request for travel has been denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. Items and services that are Exclusions cannot be appealed. See the Appeals page for more information about the appeals process.
If you have any questions about your MT Benefit, how to access coverage, or why a claim was denied, call Health Benefits at 1-855-550-5454.
The forms below are for Clients whose travel is being arranged by FNHB MT Operations. If a PT Clerk is arranging your travel, please contact them for the appropriate forms.