ONTARIO - People travelling for medical reasons are getting an extra break on costs.
Changes to the Northern Health Travel Grant took effect on Dec. 1.
Patients travelling more than 100 kilometres from home for OHIP-covered healthcare services such as diagnostic services and specialist visits are eligible for the grant.
For hotel stays, the accommodation allowance is not $175 per night, up from $100, and the total allowance for eight of more nights is $1,150, whereas it was $550 before. The travel distance required to be eligible for the overnight allowance has been lowered to 100 kilometres from 200 kilometres, and there's expanded eligibility for medical travel companions.
Other changes include eliminating the need for a signature from a referring health care provider, removing the 100-kilometre deductible and reimbursing every kilometre travelled at a rate of 41 cents per kilometre, and adding more eligible health care providers and facility locations.
Starting in the spring, there will also be an online application form with digital receipt submissions.
“The improvements to the Northern Health Travel Grant now in effect will reduce costs and simplify access, ensuring more people can easily and conveniently connect to the specialized care they need, when they need it," said Minister of Health Sylvia Jones in a news release.
In 2023-24, almost 200,000 grants worth $54.2 million were issued. The average travel grant cost was $318.
For people needing help completing an application, a helpline is available at 1-800-262-6524.
