To better support the Medical Transportation (MT) benefit, First Nations Health Benefits and Services (FNHBS) is increasing meal rates for clients who are travelling for medical appointments.
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. Our goal is to ensure everyone has access to healthy food options when traveling outside of their home communities for medical care.
Effective Oct. 3, 2022, meal rates will change as reflected in the table below:
| Current Rate | New Rate Effective Oct. 3, 2022 |
| Daily rate for same-day travel over six hours | $15.10 per client | $16.00 per client |
Nightly rate for short-term travel (up to six nights) | $60.00 per night per client, five years of age and older | $64.00 per night per client, five years of age and older |
| $25.00 per night per client, under five years of age | $27.00 per night per client, under five years of age |
Weekly rate for long-term travel (seven nights or more) | $236.00 per week, inclusive of client and escort | $260.00 per week, inclusive of client and escort
|
Information for Communities with Funding Agreements
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) will ensure that all communities delivering MT locally through a Funding Agreement will receive additional funding necessary to support the increased meal 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 to medically-necessary health services that are not available 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.
