In-province Travel Assistance Pilot Program to Support Surgical Access

The In-province Travel Assistance Pilot Program to Support Surgical Access helps low-income Nova Scotians access the scheduled surgery, endoscopy or cystoscopy procedures they need.

Benefits

The In-province Travel Assistance Pilot Program covers some transportation and accommodation costs for scheduled surgery, endoscopy and cystoscopy procedures, and some pre-operative and post-operative appointments, including:

  • reimbursement for personal vehicle use ($0.57 per km) to travel between your home and your appointment
  • reimbursement for the cost of a bus, shuttle, or community transportation service to travel between your home and your appointment
  • reimbursement for accommodation (a maximum of $85 per night) if your appointment is 50 km or further (one-way) from your home

The program may also cover the accommodation and transportation costs for someone to travel with you. Your surgeon or the physician performing your endoscopy or cystoscopy procedure will need to verify that a travel companion is considered essential for you.

Eligibility

You can apply if you’re on the Nova Scotia Health waitlist for surgery, an endoscopy or cystoscopy procedure, or if you have a confirmed date for a surgery, endoscopy or cystoscopy procedure.

To apply, you need to:

  • be a resident of Nova Scotia with a valid Nova Scotia Health Card
  • have a gross annual family income of $35,000 or less (you need to provide your most recent Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment)

You can’t apply if you have private insurance that covers the cost of transportation or accommodation.

Enrolment

Complete the Surgical Access Initiative Program Application Form (PDF) and mail, email or fax it, with a copy of the most recent Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment for the person applying, and their spouse or common-law partner, to:

Contact
Surgical Access Initiative Program
PO Box 500
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2S1

Phone: 902-496-7011
Toll-free: 1-866-553-0585
Fax: 902-490-2275
surgicalaccess@medavie.ca