Out of Province Travel and Accommodation Cost Assistance Policy

The Out of Province Travel and Accommodation Cost Assistance Policy supports Nova Scotia residents who must travel outside of the province for medically necessary, insured health services not available in Nova Scotia. You must receive prior written approval from Medical Services Insurance (MSI) to qualify.

This excludes cosmetic procedures, experimental treatments, and drug therapies. Pre-approval is mandatory to be eligible.

Financial support available

If you are approved, you may receive assistance for the following:

  • up to $600 CAD one-way or $1,200 CAD for round-trip travel by plane, train or bus; same rates apply for an approved travel companion
  • kilometrage (in CAD) per trip for travel by personal vehicle. Amount will be based on the government regular Kilometrage rate and most direct route between the Nova Scotia Civic address and medical facility
  • up to $230 CAD per night (maximum $2,760 CAD per trip) for short-term accommodations for the resident, or up to $3,000 CAD 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.

Medical and Travel Insurance is recommended

Residents and travel companions are strongly advised to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance when travelling outside Nova Scotia and Canada. Residents are responsible for all costs that are not covered by MSI.

Who can apply

Nova Scotia residents, referred for insured health services located more than 500 km one-way outside of Nova Scotia, who have written confirmation of pre-approval from MSI before scheduling appointments or making medical/travel and financial arrangements:

  • 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 must declare if you or your travel companion receive cost assistance from:

  • another provincial or federal program (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 medical specialist 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 years old and provides medically necessary support to the Resident
  • the patient is under 19 years old (in which case, one parent or caregiver will be automatically approved)

How to submit a claim

Once you have completed your travel:

  • complete the Out-of-Province Travel and Accommodation Cost Assistance Claim Form
  • include original receipts, proofs of purchase and documents (photocopies will not be accepted):
    • 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
    • if using a personal vehicle: provide travel dates (kilometrage will be calculated by Department of Health and Wellness; a travel companion cannot claim Kilometrage)

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 travel companions, if applicable, do not exceed the Out-of-Province Travel and Accommodation Cost Assistance Policy.

Contact

Phone: 902-424-7538 Monday
Toll-free (within Canada): 1-877-449-5476
benefit.eligibility@novascotia.ca

Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (except holidays)

Form and Information

Other Department of Health and Wellness cost assistance programs