Out of province travel and accommodation cost assistance

If you want to be considered for financial assistance for travel and accommodation and coverage under the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program, you need to have written pre-approval before you travel, make financial arrangements or schedule any appointments or services.

Financial support available

If you’re approved, you may receive assistance for the following:

• up to $600 (Canadian) one-way or $1,200 (Canadian) for round-trip travel by plane, train or bus
• up to 600 (Canadian) one-way or $1,200 (Canadian) for round-trip travel by plane, train or bus for an approved travel companion
• kilometrage (Canadian) per trip for travel by personal vehicle (amount is based on government regular kilometrage rate and most direct route between the Nova Scotia civic address and medical facility)
• up to $230 (Canadian) per night (maximum $2,760 per trip) for short-term accommodation for the resident or up to $3,000 (Canadian) per month when approved to relocate for more than 30 days

Departure and arrival dates for travel must align with the dates and schedules for the approved medical services.

Who can apply

You can apply for out of province travel and accommodation cost assistance if you’re a Nova Scotia resident referred for medically necessary services more than 500 km one-way outside of Nova Scotia and have written pre-approval from the MSI Medical Consultant.

You need to have written pre-approval before you travel, make financial arrangements or schedule any appointments or services:

• to receive medically necessary services outside Nova Scotia
• to temporarily relocate outside Nova Scotia, if required
• for a travel companion to accompany you, if medically necessary

You need to declare if you or your travel companion receive any financial assistance for medical, travel or accommodation from:

• another jurisdiction (federal, provincial or territorial government department, agency or health authority like Veterans Affairs, Canadian Armed Forces, Workers’ Compensation)
• private health insurance

You may still be eligible for partial assistance for costs not covered by other sources.

Travel companion eligibility

Cost assistance for a travel companion may be available if:

• an appropriate healthcare provider (Nova Scotia physician who treats the person referred for medically necessary services and has a relevant specialty for the referred medical services) confirms in writing that a travel companion is medically necessary
• the travel companion is approved by the MSI Medical Consultant
• the travel companion is at least 16 and provides medically necessary support to the resident
• the patient is 18 or younger (in which case, 1 parent or caregiver is automatically approved)

Claims

The Department of Health and Wellness sends you a travel and accommodation package (including the Out of Province Travel and Accommodation Expense Claim Form and instructions on how to submit your claim for financial assistance for travel and accommodation reimbursement).

You’re only eligible to claim a reimbursement under the Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program if you have written pre-approval from the MSI Medical Consultant.

Keep all official documents and receipts you receive while travelling outside Nova Scotia.

After you travel

After you travel, complete the Out of Province Travel and Accommodation Expense Claim Form.

Include receipts, proofs of purchase and documents. You need to provide:

• one-way or round-trip travel receipts (plane, train or bus) for both resident and travel companion, if applicable
• boarding passes for departure and return (for both resident and travel companion)
• accommodation receipts from a registered lodging provider
• dates of travel if using a personal vehicle; kilometrage is calculated by Department of Health and Wellness (a travel companion can’t claim kilometrage)

Declaration of other sources of cost assistance

Residents must declare any financial assistance for medical, travel or accommodation they’re eligible to receive from another jurisdiction (federal, provincial or territorial government department, agency or health authority). The Department of Health and Wellness may provide financial assistance when the amounts received by residents and travel companions don’t exceed allowable amounts for out of province travel and accommodation cost assistance.

Forms and information

• Out of Province Travel and Accommodation Assistance Expense Claim Form (PDF)
• Out of Province Travel and Accommodation Assistance Information (PDF)
• Consent Form: Authorization for Access to Personal Health Information (PDF)

Travel insurance

You should get medical travel insurance to avoid unexpected costs when you travel. The Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program doesn’t cover everything and getting medical services in other provinces, territories and countries can be expensive. Getting medical travel insurance helps protect you from healthcare costs.