Medical Transportation Services in Northeastern BC

Professional coordination of medical travel for eligible First Nations clients across northeastern British Columbia, ensuring distance never becomes a barrier to accessing essential healthcare services.

Treaty 8 Tribal Association Medical Transportation Department assists Clients that live in northeastern BC that are Indian Status, live off-reserve, resident of northeastern BC, as defined by the Medical Services Plan, or be an infant up to 24 months of age with an eligible parent to receive Medical Transportation Benefits.

The Medical Transportation Benefit is a supplementary benefit intended to provide financial support when a Client is accessing medically necessary health services not available in their Community of Residence. This support may include coverage towards the cost of transportation, meals and accommodation.

Medical Transportation Benefits cover the most efficient and economical means of travel, taking into account the urgency of the situation and the Client's medical condition. The Health Benefits Program will not be responsible for any differences in cost if the Client chooses to make changes to their itinerary.

Medical Transportation Benefits are available under the following conditions:

Travel is to access medically necessary in-person health service(s), including:

• Medical services insured through the BC Medical Services Plan
• Services eligible under the Health Benefits Program, including dental, vision care, medical supplies and equipment, and mental health
• Publicly funded diagnostic tests and preventative screening programs
• Traditional healers, if approved as an Exception (to be submitted by the MT Clerk to FNHA)
• Substance use treatment at FNHA-funded facilities, or at facilities licensed under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act, or registered through the Assisted Living Regulation
• FNHA-funded trauma and recovery programs
• Opioid agonist therapy (OAT)

Travel requests must meet the following criteria to be approved:

• The service(s) are not available in the Client's Community of Residence
• Travel is to the closest appropriate health facility or health professional acting within their scope of practice
• There is a written Confirmation of Appointment of a scheduled in-person appointment
• Coverage is not available through other publicly funded health or social programs, such as ICBC or WorkSafeBC or any private insurance



Travel that does not meet the above criteria will not be covered by the Medical Transportation Benefit.

Medical Transportation Benefits may be available for travel to the appropriate provider closest to the Client's Community of Residence. When a health professional or travelling provider (e.g., General Practitioner, doctor or dentist) is brought into the community to provide services, the community facility is considered the closest facility. Travel outside the community to access similar services or to the next closest provider must be submitted as an Exception by the MT Clerk to FNHA.

Factors considered in assessing the appropriateness of a health professional include, but are not limited to:

• Medical documentation indicating that the urgency of the Client's medical condition makes it inappropriate to wait for a travelling provider or to be on the waitlist of the closest health professional
• Access to the closest health professional is not the most efficient and economical option
• The Client has reported a culturally unsafe experience with the closest health professional
  

Client Responsibilities

• When possible, Clients must provide at least five (5) business days' notice prior to travel to access medically necessary services to allow time for travel arrangements to be made. Without enough notice, Clients may have to reschedule their appointment or pay for their travel up front and seek reimbursement later.
• Clients have a written Confirmation of Appointment of a scheduled in-person appointment.
• Clients must attend their medical appointment(s) as scheduled. Not attending medical appointments as scheduled may impact future Medical Transportation coverage, and in some cases, Clients will be required to pay for their travel costs on subsequent medical travel and submit reimbursement requests.
• Clients who miss scheduled and arranged travel and accommodations may be required to pay back any benefits they have received and may be required to make their own travel arrangements home and pay for their travel costs on subsequent medical travel.
  

• Clients need to get a signed or stamped Confirmation of Attendance form from the health professional or facility that they attended their appointment and return it to the Medical Transportation Clerk. This can be dropped off at our office, emailed to: medicaltransport@treaty8.bc.ca or faxed to: 250-785-9800
• Clients must give as much notice as possible when cancelling an appointment. Clients must provide at least 24 hours' notice when cancelling hotel or flight arrangements.
• If Clients are seeking a reimbursement (they paid out of their pocket) to attend their appointment, the Client must keep all receipts (including a Confirmation of Attendance form) associated with their Medical Transportation travel so that they can be submitted for reimbursement.
• Clients must not use threatening or verbally abusive language towards Patient Travel clerks or providers. Such behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in Clients being asked to pay for their travel up front and request reimbursement later.
• Clients are responsible for any damages caused to rooms.
  

Contact Susan as soon as possible if your medical travel plans need to change. We'll work to adjust coordination to align with new circumstances.

Susan coordinates travel arrangements based on your needs and appointment location. This includes reviewing transportation options and arranging accommodations and meals, if overnight stays are required. You'll understand what's covered before travel begins so you can plan accordingly.

Download Medical Transportation Forms