The First Nations Health Benefits Program is increasing meal rates for clients who are travelling for medical appointments. The medical transportation (MT) benefit provides supplemental coverage of transportation, accommodation, and meals to assist clients who need to access medically-necessary health services that are not available in their community of residence. This change will be effective on Jan. 1, 2021.
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is committed to continually improving the quality of its programs and services. Health Benefits has heard from clients and communities about the need to increase MT meal rates and is taking steps to address the feedback.
The rate increases will make it easier for clients to purchase healthy foods while travelling for medical appointments. Children under nine years of age continue to receive $25 per night, while children over the age of nine will qualify for the updated nightly rate.
| | Current Rate | New Rate |
| Day Trip Rate for same-day trips lasting more than 6 hours | $10 | $15.10
|
Overnight Rate for overnight trips up to 6 nights duration
| $48 | $53.10 |
| Weekly Rate for overnight trips of 7 nights or more | $163
| $222.20 |
The meal rate increases are the first improvements in a bigger set of transformative updates to the MT benefit. Further improvements will be identified through upcoming community engagement.
If you have any questions about MT coverage, speak to your Patient Travel Clerk or contact Health Benefits at 1.855.550.5454 or HealthBenefits@fnha.ca.
