Out of Province Travel and Accommodation Cost Assistance Policy

Nova Scotians who are pre-approved by the MSI Medical Consultant for out of province medical care may be eligible for financial assistance.

To qualify, a Nova Scotia specialist physician must request pre-approval from the MSI Medical Consultant on behalf of the patient. The treatment or service requested must be medically insured and unavailable in Nova Scotia.

Medically insured services are those recognized by experts as providing proven benefits to patients. This excludes cosmetic procedures, experimental treatments, and drug therapies. Pre-approval is mandatory to be eligible.

How much assistance is available?

Effective April 1, 2025:

  • up to $600.00 CAD one-way, or $1,200 CAD per round trip, toward transportation by bus, plane, or train for each pre-approved trip
  • accommodation costs with a registered provider
    • up to $230 CDN per night with a maximum of $2,760 CDN per trip for short-term accommodations of less than one month, or
    • up to $3,000 CDN per month, when pre-approved to relocate for longer than one month
  • maximum allowable travel cost of up to $600 one way, or up to $1,200 CDN per round trip for an escort to travel, by plane, train or bus, with the resident will also be covered if pre-approved, or if the resident is under 19 years of age
  • when travelling using a personal vehicle, residents may claim the government's regular Kilometrage rate in effect on the date of departure from Nova Scotia for each pre-approved trip. Escorts cannot claim Kilometrage for travel. Kilometrage is based on the most direct route of travel between the Resident's Nova Scotia Civic address and the approved medical facility.

Visit Reimbursement rates and transportation allowances for employees of government and public sector bodies - Government of Nova Scotia for more information.

How do I know if I'm eligible?

  • Coverage for out of province treatment begins with a referral from a NS specialist physician. The specialist will determine the necessary care and where it can be provided. If the treatment is unavailable in Nova Scotia, the Province may cover it in another location, including travel and accommodation expenses for you and an escort (if required). Your specialist must confirm in writing that an escort is medically required.

How do I apply for assistance?

  • If you are eligible for coverage from MSI you will receive information from the Department of Health and Wellness which will include an application form. Complete the claim form and submit all official documents, including receipts and boarding passes, to the Department of Health and Wellness after you have made your trip and received the health-care service.
  • Declaration of other sources of cost assistance

    Residents must declare any cost assistance they are eligible to receive for medical travel and/or accommodations from a federal or provincial government department or agency, Nova Scotia Health or the IWK Health Centre. The Department of Health and Wellness may provide cost assistance when the amounts received by Residents, and Escorts if applicable, do not exceed the Out of Province Travel and Accommodation Cost Assistance policy.

If you have more questions

  • If you have questions about the policy, you can email benefit.eligiblity@novascotia.ca or call 1-877-449-5476 (toll free in Canada), or 902-424-7538 Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except holidays).

Form and Informaton

Other Department of Health and Wellness Cost Assistance Programs

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