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.
The FNHBS is introducing an increase in the weekly meal rate for Clients and escorts.
On November 1, 2023, FNHBS is increasing the meal rates for stays over six nights that include an escort. Clients and their approved escort will now receive $425 per week for meals. This represents a 50% increase from the previous combined rate of $283 per week, which covered both the Client and the escort.
Effective November 1, 2023, meal rates will change as reflected in the table below:
| Fee Schedule for Meal Rates |
|---|
Daily Rate for same-day travel over 6 hours
| $17.00 per person
|
Nightly Rate for short-term travel up to 6 nights
| $68.00 per night per person five years old and over
|
$29.00 per night per person under five years old
|
Weekly Rate for overnight trips of seven nights or more
| $283.00 per week per Client
|
$425.00 per week per Client and approved escort*
|
*Note: The rate of $425 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 meal rate of $283 per week.
To illustrate the upcoming changes, consider the following example:
A Client is travelling out of their home community for seven nights on medical travel, and an escort has been approved. The Client will be an outpatient for the entire duration of their stay.
Please note that Clients on medical travel for over six nights should be booked in accommodations with cooking facilities and provided with the weekly meal rate for groceries.
Prior to November 1, 2023:
The weekly meal rate of $283 included both the Client and an escort if utilized. This meant that the Client and their escort received a total of $283 for the seven nights.
Effective November 1, 2023:
As an escort has been approved, the Client and their escort are now eligible to receive a total of $425 for the seven nights.
Information for Communities with Funding Agreements
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) will ensure that all communities delivering Medical Transportation (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.
