In April, 2023, administration of Medical Transportation Benefits for Income Support clients (ISMT) was transferred from the Department of Health and Community Services to the Department of Labrador Affairs.
Medical Transportation Benefits is a needs based program that provides non-urgent medical transportation benefits to eligible Income Support clients and home support, long-term care, private paying personal care home and low-income residents to access insured medical services.
Travel assistance is available to attend medical appointments and treatment facilities for insured medical services provided by physicians, psychiatrists and other professionals, such as social workers, psychologists and nurses employed by the Provincial Health Authority.
Travel benefits may also be provided for dental appointments to the nearest dental clinic in certain circumstances; and assuming it meets the criteria of being outside of the local area (30 kilometers or more one way or 60 kilometers return ), or as trips considered in the frequency of overall medical transportation (8 or more in a 30 day period). Refer to the following document for further details:
Income Support clients and their escorts, if medically required (see document below for details) receive 100 per cent of eligible travel, accommodations and meal expenses, within set limits. Low income residents may be required to pay a contribution towards the cost of the trip based on a financial eligibility assessment.
Travel assistance is based on the most economical mode of transportation, including for long distance travel.
To ensure a request for medical transportation benefits can be processed in advance of a client attending the medical service, all related documentation should be submitted as a minimum:
- 5 business days before a medical appointment with same day return travel; or
- 7-10 business days before a medical appointment requiring extended travel or an exception to policy, as advice from the Department of Health and Community Services’ medical staff may be required to assess eligibility.
Generally, advancements are not issued more than three days prior to travel.
Documentation for an In-Province or Out-of-Province Medical Appointment
Clients requesting medical transportation benefits as an advancement or reimbursement must submit the following information for assessment:
Advancement:
- An appointment confirmation record; i.e. a document confirming date, time and reason for appointment.
Reimbursement:
- An attendance confirmation record; i.e. a document confirming the date and type of appointment attended (e.g. x-ray, family physician).
- Official Receipts
- Airfare (official ticket receipt, baggage claim receipt and itinerary).
- Registered Purchased accommodations
- Taxis
- Scheduled Transportation Service: registered busing, minivan and ferry services
Do not submit meal, private accommodation, gas, and/or any other receipts for non-eligible costs as they are not required for assessment and will not be considered for payment.
Advancement or Reimbursement:
If applicable, a physician’s note explaining why:
- A non-medical escort is medically required. This document is only needed when the client requests an escort and the escort is expected to receive medical transportation benefits (e.g. overnight stay).
- The least economical in-province travel option available (e.g. bus, shared taxi, private vehicle) is not acceptable.
All reimbursements must be submitted within six months of insured medical service date to be assessed for eligible assistance.
Other Mandatory Documentation for Out-of-Province Appointments
- A medical referral letter from a Newfoundland & Labrador specialist physician which includes:
- Location and name of physician to whom the patient is referred;
- Date of the confirmed appointment;
- Reason for the referral;
- Verification that the consultation or treatment is not available in this province; and
- Any other pertinent information.
Referral letter can be used within a 12-month period for multiple out-of-province trips when the primary diagnosis remains the same.
How to Contact
Clients who are required to travel to receive health care services should call 1-833-729-6106 for further information.
Clients seeking reimbursement for recent travel or submitting requested information for an upcoming trip can email or mail their documentation to:
Medical Transportation Benefits for Income Support Clients
Department of Labrador Affairs
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
P.O. Box 8700 St. John’s, NL
A1B 4J6