Increase in Medical Transportation meal rates
First Nations Health Benefits and Services (FNHBS) is committed to improving the quality and responsiveness of its programs and services to support First Nations people in their health and wellness journeys.
FNHBS is increasing meal rates for clients travelling for medical appointments for the Medical Transportation Program.
We aim to ensure everyone can access healthy food options when travelling outside their home communities for medical care.
Effective October 1, 2023, meal rates will change as reflected in the table below:
Daily Rate for same-day travel over 6 hours
| $16.00 per person
| $17.00 per person
|
Nightly Rate for short-term travel up to 6 nights
| $64.00 per night per person five years old and over
| $68.00 per night per person five years old and over
|
$27.00 per night, per night per person under five years old
| $29.00 per night per person under five years old
|
Weekly Rate for long-term travel 7 nights or more
| $260.00 per week, inclusive of client and escort
| $283.00 per week, inclusive of client and escort
|
Extension of the temporary increase to Medical Transportation mileage rates
FNHBS actively monitors gas prices across British Columbia 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 $0.29/km has been extended until March 31, 2024.
The rates will continue to apply to the special mileage rate for specific remote communities. Please refer to the table below for the temporary mileage rates and their effective dates:
Standard MT Mileage Rate
| This applies to most communities
| $0.23 / km
| $0.29 / km
|
Special MT Mileage Rate for Remote Communities
| This applies to specific communities as identified in
their Funding Agreement | $0.29 / km | $0.35 / km |
A complete history of MT mileage rate adjustments can be found here and will be updated as new changes are announced.
Information for communities with Funding Agreements
The FNHA will ensure that all communities delivering MT locally through a Funding Agreement will receive additional funding necessary to support the increased meal & temporary mileage rate. FNHBS will follow up separately with agreement holders regarding the increase.
About the MT Benefit
The MT benefit provides supplemental coverage of transportation, accommodation and meals to assist clients who need to access medically necessary health services unavailable in their communities of residence. Learn more about MT and other health benefits.
For additional information or support, please contact FNHBS at 1.855.550.5454 or healthbenefits@fnha.ca.
