Our Journey to Medical Transportation Transformation
In 2013, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) assumed responsibility for programs and services from Health Canada, including the Medical Transportation (MT) Program. The MT program assists eligible clients with transportation, accommodation and meal expenses as they travel to medical appointments outside their communities of residence.
Since its inception, the FNHA has undertaken two major transformations. The first was the creation of Plan W (Wellness) for drug benefits in 2017. In 2019, the FNHA entered into a partnership with Pacific Blue Cross for claims processing of dental, vision, medical supplies & equipment and mental wellness benefits.
Through community and leadership engagements and meetings, the FNHA heard the need for MT improvements suiting the diverse needs and geography across the province. Our MT transformation journey began in March 2020. We are excited by the opportunity to take you along as we build a community-driven, Nation-based program to meet the needs of First Nations in BC.
The FNHA is working with the First Nations Health Directors Association (FNHDA) and communities to transform the MT program.
It is our hope that you will use this webpage to learn about completed and upcoming MT transformation changes.
Recent Program Improvements
Learn more.
Learn more.
MT Benefits Schedule. MT requests for the following will now be considered regular MT benefits:
- Opioid agonist treatment (OAT)
- Withdrawal management (also referred to as detox)
- FNHA-funded treatment centres
transportation@fnha.ca for the guide.
mtproject@fnha.ca to schedule a demo and information session.
Engagement Opportunities
Community is, and always has been, the heart of our work here.
The FNHA and FNHDA co-hosted engagement sessions supporting MT transformation. The sessions covered wide-ranging topics such as cultural safety, provider selection, administrative processes and tools, budgeting, and capacity to deliver the program in First Nations communities. The sessions generated several key themes. The themes provide FNHA with a strong foundation for program improvements and, ultimately, transformation.
The FNHA and FNHDA co-hosted nine engagement sessions supporting MT transformation. The sessions covered a wide range of topics such as cultural safety, provider selection, administrative processes and tools, budgeting, and capacity to deliver the program in First Nations communities. Through these sessions, several key themes emerged. They provide FNHA with a strong foundation for program improvements and, ultimately, transformation.
FNHA published a comprehensive MT Engagement Summary Report from these sessions.
The report can be accessed here.
Training/ Education and Support
Journeys Update
Keep up to date on upcoming changes, important reminders, and helpful tips. The Journeys Update is a recurring newsletter to support communities in their delivery of the MT program.
Journeys Archive
- Journeys Bulletin – December 2024 Volume 03, Number 9 (PDF)
- Journeys Bulletin – November 2024 Volume 03, Number 8 (PDF)
- Journeys Bulletin – September 2024 Volume 03, Number 7 (PDF)
- Journeys Bulletin – August 2024 Volume 03, Number 6 (PDF)
- Journeys Bulletin – July 2024 Volume 03, Number 5 (PDF)
- Journeys Bulletin – June 2024 Volume 03, Number 4 (PDF)
- Journeys Bulletin – May 2024 Volume 03, Number 3 (PDF)
- Journeys Bulletin – March 2024 Volume 03, Number 2 (PDF)
- Journeys Bulletin – February 2024 Volume 03, Number 1 (PDF)
- Journeys Bulletin – December 2023 Volume 02, Number 11 (PDF)
- Journeys Bulletin – November 2023 Volume 02, Number 10
- Journeys Bulletin – October 2023 Volume 02, Number 09
- Journeys Bulletin – September 2023 Volume 02, Number 08
- Journeys Bulletin – August 2023 Volume 02, Number 07
- Journeys Bulletin – July 2023 Volume 02, Number 06
- Journeys Bulletin – June 2023 Volume 02, Number 05
- Journeys Bulletin – May 2023 Volume 02, Number 04
- Journeys Bulletin – April 2023 Volume 02, Number 03
- Journeys Bulletin – March 2023 Volume 02, Number 02
- Journeys Bulletin – February 2023 Volume 02, Number 01
- Journeys Bulletin – December 2022 Volume 01, Number 10
- Journeys Bulletin – October 2022 Volume 01, Number 09
- Journeys Bulletin – September 2022 Volume 01, Number 08
- Journeys Bulletin – August 2022 Volume 01, Number 07
- Journeys Bulletin – July 2022 Volume 01, Number 06
- Journeys Bulletin – June 2022 Volume 01, Number 05
- Journeys Bulletin – May 2022 Volume 01, Number 04
- Journeys Bulletin – April 2022 Volume 01, Number 03
- Journeys Bulletin – March 2022 Volume 01, Number 02
- Journeys Bulletin – January 2022 Volume 01, Number 01
