The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is committed to improving the quality and responsiveness of its programs and services to support First Nations people on their health and wellness journeys. As part of this commitment,
The FNHA is updating meal rates within the Medical Transportation (MT) Benefit to better assist Clients travelling for medical appointments.
To ensure Clients have access to healthy food options while travelling for medical care, the FNHA is making the following changes:
- Increasing the daily rate to cover the cost of two meals for Clients on same-day trips;
- Introducing a daily rate for children, in line with the existing nightly rates; and
- Inflationary adjustment to nightly rates to address rising food prices in restaurants across BC.
Effective December 2, 2024, meal rates will change as reflected in the table below:
Rate type
|
Previous rate
|
Updated rate
effective December 2, 2024
|
Daily rate for same-day trips lasting more than six hours.
| $17.00 per person
| $35.50 per person (5+ years)
|
$17.00 per person (under 5 years)
|
Nightly rate for overnight trips up to six nights in duration.
| $68.00 per night per person (5+ years)
| $70.50 per night per person
(5+ years)
|
$29.00 per night per person (under 5 years)
| $30.00 per night per person (under 5 years)
|
Weekly rate for overnight trips of seven nights or more.
| $283.00 per week per Client
| $283.00 per week per Client
|
| $425.00 per week per Client and approved escort* | $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.
Please note that the daily meal rate applies to same-day travel that lasts more than six hours, which includes both travel and appointment time. However, Clients travelling for less than six hours may still be eligible if they have a medical condition that requires regular meals, such as diabetes or pregnancy.
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 rates. The FNHA 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 not available in their communities of residence. Learn more about MT and other health benefits.
For additional information or support, please contact First Nations Health Benefits at 1-855-550-5454 or healthbenefits@fnha.ca.
