The Medical Transportation Assistance Program (MTAP) provides financial assistance to a patient and their escort (if medically required – see document below for details) who incur substantial out-of-pocket travel costs to access specialized insured medical services that are not available in their community and/or within the province.
A patient required to travel for specialized insured medical services may be eligible to apply for financial assistance under MTAP for airfare (and related eligible taxi fares); private vehicle usage; purchased registered and private accommodations (and related meal allowance); busing and use of ferries based on program criteria (deductibles may apply).
Recent changes to MTAP include:
Effective May 29, 2023
All residents of the Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone are now entitled to the same rates for reimbursement of eligible expenses, such as airfare and accommodations, for travel to larger centres to access specialized insured medical services.
The policy change applies to all communities in the Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone, which comprises the area north of Bartlett’s Harbour and Englee on the Northern Peninsula and all of Labrador.
Effective for travel on or after September 8, 2023
Highlights
- All residents of the Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone will have access to a fast track in-province flight voucher program with PAL Airlines. This program offers higher flight assistance amounts upfront towards the booking of an in-province flight based on pre-set ticket prices.
- All residents of the Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone travelling out of province will have access to higher flight assistance amounts after travel is complete.
- All claims must be submitted within 12 months of insured medical service date to be assessed for assistance.
Effective for travel on or after December 1, 2023
- Island residents’ $400 deductible has been eliminated when travelling out-of-province.
- Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone residents travelling in and out of province and Island residents travelling out of province will have access to higher flight assistance amounts upfront or after travel is complete. Financial help for patients and their escorts (if applicable) include $1,000 in total towards the cost of their first eligible flight(s), plus 75 per cent towards any additional eligible airfare costs between $1,000 and $8,000 and 85 per cent of costs in excess of $8,000 on a cumulative basis in a 12-month period.
- Claimable accommodation per diems have increased to $150 ($3,100 – 31 day maximum) for in-province travel and $175 ($3,500 – 31 day maximum) for out-of-province travel.
- The private vehicle mileage rate will increase to $0.25 for eligible kilometers travelled in excess of 4,000 each year.
Effective April 1, 2024:
- The anniversary date used to calculate a patient’s travel deductible and assistance rate in a 12 month period will be set permanently as April 1 with an end date of March 31 for all program users.
Complete information on MTAP, including how the program works, eligibility criteria, claim and application forms and document requirements, recent changes and allowable expenses can all be found in the handy Medical Services Brochure.
Links to all applicable claim and application forms including purchased registered and private accommodations, private vehicle usage, partial pre-payment of economy airfare and direct deposit are also outlined below for easy access.
How MTAP Works
- Travelling for Medical Services Brochure (applies to travel prior to December 1, 2023)
- Travelling for Medical Services Brochure (applies to travel on or after December 1, 2023)
Medical Transportation Assistance Claim Forms
- Fillable In-Province Medical Transportation Assistance Claim (example)
- Fillable Out-of-Province Medical Transportation Assistance Claim (example)
- Fillable Eligible Expenses Worksheet (example)
- Fillable Private Vehicle Worksheet
Partial Pre-Payment of Economy Airfare Flight Options
- Fillable In-Province Flight Voucher Application
- Fillable Out-of-Province Economy Airfare Partial Pre-Payment Application
Mandatory Direct Deposit
Non-Medical Escort Requirements
Claims must be submitted via email or mail with the required supporting documentation and official receipts for allowable expenses to:
Medical Transportation Assistance Program
Department of Labrador Affairs
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
P.O. Box 8700 St. John’s, NL
A1B 4J6
For more information about the Medical Transportation Assistance Program, call 1-877-475-2412