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Northern Health Travel Grant Program

Learn about financial assistance for Northern Ontario residents who travel long distances for medical specialist services

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The Northern Health Travel Grant ( NHTG ) program offers financial assistance to Northern Ontario residents who need to travel long-distances for specialized medical services or procedures at a ministry-funded health care facility.

For eligible applicants, travel grants are based on the distance you need to travel to reach the nearest medical specialist or ministry-funded health care facility that can provide the required health care services without delay.

To qualify, you need to:

• have traveled at least 100 kilometers ( km ) one-way to access the nearest medical specialist or ministry-funded health care facility services that are not available locally
• submit your NHTG application to the Ministry of Health ( MOH ) within 12 months of the date of treatment

Note: The NHTG program helps you pay for some medical travel-related expenses but does not cover all expenses (such as meals or taxi).

Telemedicine

Telemedicine supports almost every clinical specialty and offers a cost-effective alternative for Northern Ontario residents who need to travel for specialized medical services or procedures at a ministry-funded health care facility.

A telemedicine appointment with the Ontario Telemedicine Network ( OTN ) is like an in-person visit, but the physician uses a monitor. Ask your health care provider if telemedicine is a suitable option for your needs.

Please consider telemedicine instead of travel.

Eligibility

Below are the following eligibility conditions for the Northern Health Travel Grant ( NHTG ) program:

• You are an OHIP -insured Ontario resident on the date of treatment.
• Your primary place of residence is in the districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, or Timiskaming.
• You have obtained a referral from a Northern Ontario health care provider (such as a physician, dentist, optometrist, chiropractor, midwife or nurse practitioner).
• A Winnipeg (Manitoba) physician enrolled on the Manitoba Health Specialist Register and permitted to bill as a specialist.
• A physician who holds a specialist certificate of registration issued by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario ( CPSO ) in a recognized medical or surgical specialty other than family or general practice.
• a cleft lip and palate clinic
• a clinic that tests for low vision
• a clinic that can fit artificial limbs and walking aids and is approved by the ministry's Assistive Devices program
• the Speech Foundation of Ontario, Toronto Children's Centre
• chemotherapy at a regional cancer center
• MRI or dialysis services performed in a hospital
• ultrasound or Pulmonary Function Testing services performed in a hospital
• The nearest medical specialist or ministry-funded health care facility able to provide the type of care or procedure you require in Ontario or Winnipeg (Manitoba) is at least 100 kilometers from your area of residence.

When you are not eligible

You do not qualify for the Northern Health Travel Grant ( NHTG ) program if:

• the health care service is not an OHIP -insured benefit
• the care is related to a Workplace Safety and Insurance Board claim
• your employer pays for your medical services or travel costs
• another government program or organization pays for your travel (such as a First Nations Band or the federal government)
• the health care services have to do with a private insurance company (for example, if there is third-party liability for medical travel costs, such as medical services related to a motor vehicle accident)
• you travel round trip by ambulance
• non-Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada ( RCPSC ) certified medical specialist
• non- RCPSC certified physician in Winnipeg (Manitoba) who is not enrolled on the Manitoba Health Specialist Register
• physician who does not hold a specialist certificate of registration issued by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario ( CPSO ) in a recognized medical or surgical specialty other than family or general practice
• ministry-funded health care facility
• the nearest specialist or ministry-funded health care facility is within 100 kilometers of your area of residence
• your trip is for something other than health care
• you are travelling to visit a sick relative in hospital
• your travel is not within Ontario or Winnipeg (Manitoba)

Note: If you travel one way by ambulance and the other way by car or public transportation, you may qualify for a partial grant.

If you do not have a northern referring provider, you may still qualify for a travel grant under the NHTG program. For information, you can contact the Ministry of Health ( MOH ), Claims Services Branch by phone at: 1-800-262-6524 .

Assisted costs

You may visit any medical specialist, hospital or ministry-funded health care facility in Ontario or Winnipeg (Manitoba) that qualifies.

Whether you are traveling by car, air, bus or rail, travel grants are always paid at a rate of 41 cents per kilometer (based on the round-trip distance) between your home and the nearest medical specialist or ministry-funded health care facility able to provide the required OHIP -insured services. Please note there is a 100-kilometer deductible on your trip , meaning 100 kilometers will be deducted from the total distance of the trip when calculating the amount of the travel grant.

The Northern Health Travel Grant ( NHTG ) program does not cover expenses for meals or taxi services . However, receipts for gas and meals should be kept for 12 months if we require proof of travel for audit purposes.

Accommodation allowance

The NHTG program offers an accommodation allowance for patients who:

• meet the travel grant eligibility criteria
• travel a one-way distance of at least 200 kilometers to reach the nearest medical specialist or ministry-funded health care facility able to provide the required services
• submit original accommodation receipts in their name or as a guest to prove accommodation expenses (for patients under the age of 18, an accommodation receipt can be in the name of their parent or guardian)

You may be eligible for additional accommodation allowance if it is necessary to spend more than 1 night out-of-town to access medical specialist services or ministry-funded health care facility-based procedures.

Additional accommodation allowance for each treatment trip will be determined as follows:

• $100 per night up to 2 nights
• $250 for 3 nights
• $500 for 4-7 nights
• $550 for 8 or more nights

If you and other patients travel together in the same car, only 1 travel grant will be provided for the round trip. However, if you both meet the NHTG program eligibility requirements and your one-way trip to the nearest medical specialist or ministry-funded health care facility is at least 200 kilometers, you both may qualify for the $100.00 accommodation allowance.

Note: You will not be eligible for an accommodation allowance if you have not paid an official accommodation expense (for example, staying with a friend or family member).

How to submit for additional accommodation allowance

To request additional accommodation allowance, please specify the number of medically-necessary lodging nights in Section 1 of the NHTG application form.

The medical specialist or ministry-funded health care facility provider must also indicate the number of nights in Section 3 of the application form, or they can submit a letter to the NHTG program.

When writing a letter to the NHTG program the medical provider should use the phrasing:

“In their professional judgement, the accommodation allowance of greater than one night’s stay is necessary to access an out-of-town medical specialist health care service or ministry-funded health care facility based procedure.”

This letter must be submitted along with the application form to qualify for an additional accommodation allowance.

Assisted cost examples

Example 1 - eligible grant from point a to point b.

The one-way distance in this example is 160  km .

The grant is the two-way distance minus 100  km multiplied by 41 cents per km .

160  km (the one-way distance) x 2 (the two-way distance) - 100 ( km ) x 0.41 (cents per km travelled) = $90.20

Example 2 - Eligible grant from Point C to Point D

The one-way distance in this example is 300 km .

It was necessary for 1 night out-of-town in this example.

• Travel grant calculation is 300  km (the one-way distance) x 2 (the two-way distance) - 100  ( km ) x 0.41 (cents per km travelled) = $205.00
• Accommodation allowance is $100.00 (for 1 night)

Total payment to the patient for the trip is $205 (for the calculated travel grant) + $100 (for the accommodation allowance of 1 night) = $305.00

Example 3 - Eligible grant from Point C to Point D

The one-way distance in this example is 300  km .

In this example, a specialist/ministry-funded health care facility provider determines that 3 nights out-of-town are medically necessary.

• Travel grant calculation is 300  km (the one-way distance) x 2 (the two-way distance) - 100 ( km ) x 0.41 (cents per km travelled) = $205.00
• Accommodation allowance is $250.00 (for 3 nights)

Total payment to the patient for the trip is $205 (for the calculated travel grant) + $250 (for the accommodation allowance of 3 lodging nights) = $455.00

Receipts are required for proof and audit purposes to ensure appropriate spending of public funds.

Only original receipts will be accepted and applications will not be processed unless an original receipt is provided as proof of payment for an accommodation or commercial transportation expense.

Official itemized receipts must be submitted along with your application for the accommodation allowance. “Itemized receipt” refers to a receipt that lists the item(s) purchased and the individual price(s) for each item. This could include a hotel, motel or bed and breakfast. The accommodation receipt must include:

• the name of the patient
• the date(s) of stay
• a fee paid for the stay

Note: The authorization receipt for a credit or debit card transaction is not considered an itemized receipt.

If traveling by air, bus, or rail, you must submit the original ticket, receipt or itinerary showing:

• a fare paid
• who travelled
• the date of travel
• the destination

Application

Download the Northern Health Travel Grant ( NHTG ) program application form .

The NHTG program application forms are also available from various northern health care providers, such as:

• optometrists
• nurse practitioners
• chiropractors

Note: Please ensure you are using a current version of the NHTG program application form by referring to the new Section 4 Payment Preference.

Application submission

All applications must be received by the Ministry of Health ( MOH ) within 12 months from the date of service or treatment. We are not responsible for lost or delayed applications or those sent after 12 months from the date of treatment.

For each round treatment trip, you must complete a separate application form. Only 1 application can be submitted for each round trip regardless of the number of medical specialists or ministry-funded health care facilities visited during that round trip.

The NHTG program only accepts application forms and original receipts for accommodation allowance by mail. Do not submit photocopies. Please include your receipts or itinerary for accommodation, bus, rail and air travel, along with those of your travel companion (if applicable).

Submit your application and original receipts to:

Ministry of Health - Claims Services Branch Northern Health Travel Grant, Sudbury office 159 Cedar Street, 7 th  Floor Sudbury, Ontario P3E 6A5

Note: If your application is incomplete or filled out incorrectly, it will be returned to you, which could lead to payment delays.

Section 1: Patient information

If the patient is a child under 16 years of age, a parent or guardian with custody, a children’s aid society worker or other lawfully entitled person may complete and sign the form on behalf of the patient.

If the patient is 16 years of age or older but is unable to provide consent themselves, a Substitute Decision Maker ( SDM ) may complete and sign the form on the patient’s behalf. A SDM can be a patient’s:

• guardian who has authority to make a decision on behalf of patient
• attorney for personal care who has authority to make a decision on behalf of patient
• representative appointed by the Consent and Capacity Board with authority to give consent
• spouse or partner
• child/parent or children’s aid society or other person legally entitled to give/refuse consent
• parent with only right of access
• brother or sister
• other relative

Note: For more specific information on SDMs , please contact the Northern Health Travel Grant ( NHTG ) program directly.

Section 2: Northern referring provider information

The referral section of the NHTG program application only needs to be filled out once every 12 months if you are making a follow-up trip to the same medical specialist or ministry-funded health care facility. If follow-up visits are made to a different specialist or ministry-funded health care facility, a new referral is required.

Note: People aged 30 to 69 travelling to an Ontario Breast Screening program do not need to complete the referral section on the NHTG program application form.

Section 3: Specialist or health care facility service provider information

This section of the NHTG program application form must be signed and completed by the medical specialist or ministry-funded health care facility provider. In this section, they will specify the date on which the visit or procedure was performed.

Make sure the medical specialist or ministry-funded health care facility provider you are travelling to fills out all the information under this section of the application form, including the number of medically necessary nights for each treatment trip.

Section 4: Payment preference

It is mandatory to fill out Section 4 of the NHTG program application to determine the payment preference of patients, third parties and companions (if applicable).

If you select the direct deposit option, please provide a completed bank-issued payroll direct deposit form or void cheque along with your grant application.

Section 5: Companion information

If you are applying for a companion grant, your travelling companion must also fill in the proper information in Section 5 of the application form. To qualify for a companion grant, the following conditions must be met:

• The person that helps you during travel must be 16 years of age or older.
• Your companion must travel with you and pay a fare if travel is by air, rail or bus and receipts must be provided (Air Miles or other loyalty programs are acceptable as a method of payment).
• The patient must be younger than 16 years of age or the northern referring provider must indicate in Section 2 of the application form that the patient needs a travel companion for health or safety reasons.

If travel is round trip by personal vehicle, both you and your travel companion may qualify for an equal share of 1 grant.

Note: Travel companions are not eligible for an accommodation allowance.

Application denial

If your application for an NHTG is denied, you can request an internal review or reconsideration within 12 months from the date provided on the denial letter that was mailed to you. Please follow the information and instructions in the denial letter.

If there are exceptional medical circumstances surrounding your treatment trip that may allow an exception to the program eligibility criteria, you may appeal your denial decision to the external and independent NHTG Medical Appeals Committee in writing to:

Medical Appeals Committee C/O : Northern Health Travel Grant Claims Services Branch 159 Cedar Street, 7 th Floor Sudbury, Ontario P3E 6A5

Payment options

Direct deposit payment.

When you choose direct deposit, the grant payment will be deposited directly into your bank account.

If you choose direct deposit, you must submit a bank-issued payroll direct deposit form or void cheque along with your grant application. This applies if it is your first time using direct deposit for grant payments or if your banking information has changed since your last direct deposit grant payment.

Companions must provide a new bank issued payroll direct deposit form or void cheque each time an application is submitted. The ministry does not retain banking information for companions after an application has been processed.

Cheque payment

When you choose cheque payment, a cheque will be delivered by registered mail to the mailing address provided on your application.

If your application is approved, the ministry will provide your grant payment within 6 weeks from the date it receives your correctly completed application form. Please allow for the complete 6 weeks before checking on the status of your application.

Bank issued direct deposit form or void cheque

Bank issued direct deposit form.

The payroll direct deposit form provides bank account information in place of a void cheque. Your contact information and details about your bank are included. This includes the bank’s transit and institution numbers and your account number. This information ensures your payment is directed into your bank account.

Many larger financial institutions offer online access to download and print a payroll direct deposit form. Check online to see if your bank provides access to obtain a payroll direct deposit form or contact your bank to request a payroll direct deposit form.

Void cheques

A void cheque is a cheque with the word “void” written across the front, which indicates that it shouldn't be accepted for payment. The cheque can still be used to get the information needed for electronic payments. Remove a blank cheque from your cheque book and write the word "VOID" in large, bold letters across the front of the cheque in pen or permanent ink.

If you do not have paper cheques, you may be able to get a void cheque by going to your bank and asking for a printed copy of one.

Note: There may be a fee for this service.

For more details, contact the Ministry of Health ( MOH ), Claims Services Branch, Northern Health Travel Grant ( NHTG ), Sudbury office by

• mail: Ministry of Health - Claims Services Branch Northern Health Travel Grant, Sudbury office 159 Cedar Street, 7 th Floor Sudbury, Ontario P3E 6A5
• phone:  1-800-262-6524

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News Release

Ontario Connecting People in the North to the Care They Need

$45 million investment in the Northern Health Travel Grant to make it easier to access specialized care and services

April 30, 2024

Table of Contents

Quick facts, additional resources, related topics.

THUNDER BAY — As part of the Ontario government’s 2024 Ontario Budget , the province is investing $45 million over three years to expand the Northern Health Travel Grant Program to help people in Northern Ontario connect to the specialized care and services they need.

“Our government knows that for too long, patients in Northern Ontario have faced unique challenges when accessing health care and that is why our government is taking action to expand access to care, in every corner of the province,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Our investment to expand and enhance the Northern Health Travel Grant, will ensure more people in Northern Ontario can connect to the specialized care they need, when they need it.”

The Northern Health Travel Grant provides financial reimbursements that help cover the medical-related costs Northern Ontario residents can incur when travelling to access OHIP-insured health care services that are not available within a 100-kilometre radius of where they live. These include specialist visits and some diagnostic services.

The province will begin implementing expansions and improvements to the Northern Health Travel Grant Program starting in Fall 2024 including:

• Introducing a more convenient online application form that includes digital receipt submissions and makes reimbursement faster.
• Eliminating the need for a signature from the referring health care provider, making the application process easier.
• Adding more eligible health care providers and more facility locations, such as community laboratories, to help more people get reimbursed for their incurred costs.
• Removing the 100-kilometre deductible so people are reimbursed for every kilometre travelled to help offset higher gas prices.

New changes are also increasing reimbursements for overnight trips for the first time since 2017 to better reflect people’s needs and increased costs, including:

• Increasing the accommodation allowance from $100 to $175 per night, as well as increasing the total allowance for eight or more nights from $550 to $1,150.
• Reducing the travel distance requirement to be eligible for overnight accommodation allowance from 200 kilometres to 100 kilometres.
• Expanding eligibility to include medical travel companions accompanying a patient who is hospitalized.

“The Northern Health Travel Grant plays a vital role in mitigating the financial burden of medical‐related travel for the people of Ontario in Northern communities,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “This enhancement in Ontario’s 2024 Budget is part of our plan to support health care in northern and rural communities.”

Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care , the Ontario government is making it easier and faster for people to connect to the care they need, when they need it, no matter where they live.

• This investment was announced as part of the 2024 Ontario Budget , to help support health care access for the people of Northern Ontario.
• In 2022-2023, approximately 170,000 Northern Health Travel Grants were processed to support the travel and accommodation needs of approximately 66,000 Northern Ontario residents.
• 98 per cent of eligible applications for the Northern Health Travel Grant are paid within four to six weeks. The new, online submission form is expected to further reduce processing time.
• The Ministry of Health also provides a telephone support service to help clients who need help completing their applications. The number to call for assistance is 1-800-262-6524.

"I am pleased to see the improvements our government is making to update the Northern Health Travel Grant. As an advocate for Northern Ontario, I understand the importance of providing support for our constituents to access vital healthcare services across the province. This increased funding ensures our residents can focus on their health care needs and not the additional burden of travel expenses." - Kevin Holland MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan

"Our government is responding to the increased travel costs for health care services and programs in the Northwest. In the Kenora and Rainy River districts, we travel as much if not more for health-related services than anyone in the region. As a Northerner, I’ve experienced the process and increased costs firsthand. This expansion will come as a tremendous relief to my constituents." - Greg Rickford MPP for Kenora-Rainy River

"I am proud to be a part of a government that is sticking up for northerners and ensuring that we receive and have access to the care we need by expanding the Northern Health Travel Grant Program. Our investment of $45 million over the next three years will help the people in our community and those across the north facing unique healthcare challenges get the specialized care they deserve." - George Pirie MPP for Timmins

"For years, my constituents in Nipissing have expressed their concerns over the Northern Health Travel Grants reimbursement rates. We are pleased that our government has heard their concerns. Through the program’s $45 million expansion, patients in Northern Ontario will have additional assistance to the health care services they require." - Vic Fedeli MPP for Nipissing

"The expansion of the Northern Health Travel Grant is excellent news for the residents of East and West Parry Sound. Our government is ensuring that Northern Ontario residents have access to the services and resources they require. We're prioritizing the North by making smart and strategic investments that improve health outcomes while making life less expensive." - Graydon Smith MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka

"The enhancements made by our government will be a significant benefit to the residents of the Township of South Algonquin in my riding of Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke." - John Yakabuski MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke

• Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care
• Ontario Connecting Over 300,000 People to Primary Care Teams

Health and Wellness

Get help navigating Ontario’s health care system and connecting with the programs or services you’re looking for. Learn more

Rural and North

Information about the province’s Far North and rural communities. Get connected to business improvement organizations and learn more about funding and programs that support rural, northern and Indigenous communities. Learn more

Media Contacts

Alexandra Adamo Minister Jones’ Office [email protected]

Anna Miller Communications Branch [email protected] 416-314-6197

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MPP speaks out about delays in processing Northern Health Travel Grants

Molly Frommer CTVNews.ca Barrie Video Journalist

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SUDBURY -- class="p1"> Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas wrote an open letter to Ontario's health minister, Christine Elliott, about the long waits people in her riding are experiencing when waiting to be reimbursed by the Northern Health Travel Grants . 

"This is not acceptable. The government should not take four months, sometimes up to eight months for one of my constituents, to pay people money they owe," said Gélinas.

Gélinas says the NHTG program was set up to help ease the financial burden of northerners who have to travel for medical appointments, but says it’s adding more stress. 

"The traveling is stressful, having a disease is stressful, being in treatment is stressful. You add to this, that you’re not at work because you are sick; you don’t have an income, or have a very limited income. You endure all of those costs to get to your treatment and then the government doesn’t pay you back," said Gélinas.

The Ministry of Health sent the following to CTV News as a response to questions about the delays:

"Delays in processing can sometimes occur when grants submissions have incomplete or missing information. Every effort is made to connect with clients by telephone to assist them with incomplete travel grants. The ministry acknowledges that the processing time of travel grants has increased, but is working hard to return to its regular service standard of six weeks for processing a completed application."

Gélinas wants those who are experiencing delays to not hesitate to give her a call, she says she will follow up with each individual claim.

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Local News from Across the Rainy River District

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Province announces updates to Travel Grant program

• Daily Headlines

Those in the northwest of the province will be seeing some additional benefits when they need to travel for health-related reasons.

As part of the Ontario government’s announced 2024 budget, a release from Tuesday, April 30, 2024, added more information on planned changes to the Northern Health Travel Grant program, a program that provides financial compensation for those in the north who need to travel to larger city centres such as Thunder Bay for medical care and appointments, so long as they are not services available within a 100-kilometre radius of where they live.

The government announced it will be investing $45-million over three years to expand the program, with deputy premier and Ontario Minister of Health Sylvia Jones noting the investment is part of its plan to address health care shortages in the north of the province.

“Our government knows that for too long, patients in Northern Ontario have faced unique challenges when accessing health care and that is why our government is taking action to expand access to care, in every corner of the province,” Jones said.

“Our investment to expand and enhance the Northern Health Travel Grant, will ensure more people in Northern Ontario can connect to the specialized care they need, when they need it.”

The province’s release notes that the government will begin its expansions and improvements to the program in Fall 2024, and some of those changes will include introducing a more convenient online application form that will include digital receipt submissions to make reimbursement faster, eliminating the need for a signature from the referring health care provider to make the application process easier, adding more eligible health care providers and facility locations, such as community laboratories, to help more people get reimbursed for their incurred costs, and removing the 100-kilometre deductible so people are reimbursed for every kilometre travelled to help offset higher gas prices.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford noted the program is particularly beneficial to those in the northwest of the province, in his districts, as our access to health care is much more limited and travel is a frequent necessity, hence the improvements to the program come as a relief.

“Our government is responding to the increased travel costs for health care services and programs in the Northwest,” Rickford said.

“In the Kenora and Rainy River Districts, we travel as much if not more for health-related services than anyone in the region. As a Northerner, I’ve experienced the process and increased costs firsthand. This expansion will come as a tremendous relief to my constituents.”

In addition to previously mentioned expansions and changes to the program, the government also announced changes to reimbursements for overnight trips for the first time since 2017, which it said is again in reflection of rising prices and increased costs. The changes involved in the overnight trip reimbursements will include increasing the accommodation allowance from $100 to $175 per night, as well as increasing the total allowance for eight or more nights from $550 to $1,150, reducing the travel distance to be eligible for overnight accommodation allowance from 200 kilometres to 100 kilometres, and expanding the eligibility to include medical travel companions accompanying a patient who is hospitalized.

“The Northern Health Travel Grant plays a vital role in mitigating the financial burden of medical‐related travel for the people of Ontario in Northern communities,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance.

“This enhancement in Ontario’s 2024 Budget is part of our plan to support health care in northern and rural communities.”

According to the government, approximately 170,000 Northern Health Travel Grants were processed in 2022-2023 to support the needs of approximately 66,000 northern Ontario residents. 98 percent of eligible applications for the grant are paid within four to six weeks, with the new submission form expected to further reduce processing times.

Ken Kellar is a reporter who was born and raised in Fort Frances. After spending several years in various parts of the country for school and work, Ken returned home to join the Fort Frances Times in 2019. He has an Advanced Diploma in Print & Broadcast Journalism from Humber College in Toronto, Ontario, and has contributed to the Humber Etcetera, Humber Daily News and CityNews Toronto (formerly 680News).

MPP ‘relieved’ changes coming to Northern Health Travel Grants

Article content.

Timiskaming-Cochrane NDP MPP John Vanthof says his party is “relieved” changes are coming to the Northern Health Travel Grant program.

MPP ‘relieved’ changes coming to Northern Health Travel Grants Back to video

Health Minister Sylvia Jones announced on April 30 that starting in the fall there will be several changes to the program, which include: • Introducing a more convenient online application form that includes digital receipt submissions and makes reimbursement faster. • Eliminating the need for a signature from the referring health care provider, making the application process easier. • Adding more eligible health care providers and more facility locations, such as community laboratories, to help more people get reimbursed for their incurred costs. • Removing the 100-kilometre deductible so people are reimbursed for every kilometre travelled to help offset higher gas prices.

The changes will also include increasing reimbursements for overnight trips for the first time since 2017 to better reflect people’s needs and increased costs, including: • Increasing the accommodation allowance from $100 to $175 per night, as well as increasing the total allowance for eight or more nights from $550 to $1,150. • Reducing the travel distance requirement to be eligible for overnight accommodation allowance from 200 kilometres to 100 kilometres. • Expanding eligibility to include medical travel companions accompanying a patient who is hospitalized.

“Our government knows that for too long, patients in Northern Ontario have faced unique challenges when accessing health care and that is why our government is taking action to expand access to care, in every corner of the province,” Jones said, in a press release.

“Our investment to expand and enhance the Northern Health Travel Grant, will ensure more people in Northern Ontario can connect to the specialized care they need, when they need it.”

In response to the announcement, Vanthof said, “The NDP has been pushing for improvements to the Northern Health Travel Grant for a long time.

“We have introduced legislation and put pressure on the minister of health at Question Period.

“Due to the sharp rise in the cost of living, there are people choosing not to get specialist treatment because they can’t afford the travel and lodging costs.

“The changes to the system will help alleviate this problem. We are relieved that the government has listened to the people living in the North, their Northern MPPs, and health care advocates.”

On March 4, Vanthof called out the minister during question period, asking her if she or any of her colleagues could give him a list of hotels in the greater Toronto area where he could rent a room for $100 per night.

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• Ministry of Health
• Application for Northern...
• English - 0327-88e -...

English - 0327-88e - Application for Northern...

URL: https://forms.mgcs.gov.on.ca/dataset/0f091751-0299-429a-b6a7-30a53cc8e859/resource/fd31c9a7-d6b6-4eac-945c-a870f982d3d6/download/0327-88e.pdf

Dataset description:

Used to apply for financial travel assistance by Northern Ontario residents who must travel long distances to access medical specialist services.

Additional Information

Province expanding Northern Health Travel Grant Program

By Rosalind Russell – The Northern Ontario Health Travel Grant Program is being expanded.  Health Minister Sylvia Jones announced 45-million dollars is being invested over three years to help northern residents connect to the specialized care and services they need.

“Our government knows that for too long, patients in Northern Ontario have faced unique challenges when accessing health care and that is why our government is taking action to expand access to care, in every corner of the province,” says Jones.  

Enhancements starting this fall include removing the 100-kilometre deductible, introducing an online application form, eliminating the need for a referring health care provider’s signature and more.  

New changes are also increasing reimbursements for overnight trips, including $175 per night for accommodation.  

That’s up from $100.  

The province is also reducing the travel distance requirement to be eligible for the overnight accommodation allowance from 200 kilometres to 100 kilometres.

The Northern Health Travel Grant Program reimburses Northern Ontario residents for OHIP-insured medical-related costs they need to travel for.

Photo: The Ontario government has changed up the Northern Health Travel Grant. Photo – unsplash.com

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Province expanding Northern Ontario Health Travel Grant program

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THUNDER BAY – The province is expanding the Northern Ontario Health Travel Grant program to cover more costs incurred by patients needing eligible out-of-town care.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones on Tuesday revealed details of the revamped plan at a stop at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, announcing they have increased the overnight accommodation allowance from $100 a night to $175, and from $550 to $1,050 for stays of eight nights or longer.

The government also reduced the travel distance requirements from 200 kilometres round trip to 100 kilometres and have expanded the eligibility to cover costs of medical travel companions accompanying a patient requiring hospitalization.

The province plans to provide $45 million over three years to fund the program.

Jones said the goal is to provide Northern Ontarians with a better health-care experience, acknowledging residents often don’t have access to a full suite of medical services in their home communities, especially in sparsely populated regions in the Northwest.

That shouldn’t mean accessing health care needs to be a financial burden, the minister said, calling it another step toward connecting people in the region to the specialized health care they need.

“These programs provide financial reimbursement that helps cover the medical related costs Northern Ontario residents have incurred while travelling to access OHIP-insured health-care services that are not available within a 100-kilometre radius of where they live,” Jones said.

“The province will begin implementing expansions and needed improvements to the Northern Health Travel Grant program starting this fall.”

The changes will also include a more convenient, online application form, that includes digital receipt submission capabilities, allowing for faster reimbursements and eliminates the need for a signature from a referring physician or health-care provider.

The expansion also adds more health-care partners to the program, as well as community labs, to help more people get reimbursed for their costs.

“(We’ve also) removed the 100-kilometre deductible so people can get reimbursed for every kilometre travelled, to offset higher gas prices. These changes are also increasing reimbursements for overnight trips, to better reflect people’s needs and increased costs,” Jones said.

Paul Carr, a patient advocate at Thunder Bay Regional, said he welcomes the new changes, noting the care needed, including cardiac surgery, isn't always available close to home.

“Sometimes (patients) face many barriers in terms of accessing care. When you have to travel long distances to attend appointments or receive specialized care or surgeries, it would be great if patients could access the same level of care and services throughout the province, but we know that’s not the case right now,” Carr said.

“Some of our patients have to travel for excess care and this can be a daunting experience. For some it might be the first time they’ve ever travelled to an urban centre.”

Every little bit helps, Carr said.

NDP MPP Lise Vaugeois applauded the changes, calling the move good news for Northern Ontarians, in particular the removal of the 100-kilometre deductible for the gas repayment. However, Vaugeois said the province could have gone further and increased the mileage rate from the current 41 cents a kilometre.

“I think we get roughly 61 cents a kilometre as MPPs,” Vaugeois said. “It’s miles from where it needs to be to cover the cost.”

She added the hotel accommodation rate falls a bit short of the actual cost of rooms, especially in centres like Toronto.

The spending was previously announced in the 2024 Ontario budget.

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Big Changes To Northern Travel Grant Announced

As part of the Ontario government’s 2024 Ontario Budget , the province is investing $45 million over three years to expand the Northern Health Travel Grant Program to help people in Northern Ontario connect to the specialized care and services they need.

“Our government knows that for too long, patients in Northern Ontario have faced unique challenges when accessing health care and that is why our government is taking action to expand access to care, in every corner of the province,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Our investment to expand and enhance the Northern Health Travel Grant, will ensure more people in Northern Ontario can connect to the specialized care they need, when they need it.”

The Northern Health Travel Grant provides financial reimbursements that help cover the medical-related costs Northern Ontario residents can incur when travelling to access OHIP-insured health care services that are not available within a 100-kilometre radius of where they live. These include specialist visits and some diagnostic services.

The province will begin implementing expansions and improvements to the Northern Health Travel Grant Program starting in Fall 2024 including:

• Introducing a more convenient online application form that includes digital receipt submissions and makes reimbursement faster.
• Eliminating the need for a signature from the referring health care provider, making the application process easier.
• Adding more eligible health care providers and more facility locations, such as community laboratories, to help more people get reimbursed for their incurred costs.
• Removing the 100-kilometre deductible so people are reimbursed for every kilometre travelled to help offset higher gas prices.

New changes are also increasing reimbursements for overnight trips for the first time since 2017 to better reflect people’s needs and increased costs, including:

• Increasing the accommodation allowance from $100 to $175 per night, as well as increasing the total allowance for eight or more nights from $550 to $1,150.
• Reducing the travel distance requirement to be eligible for overnight accommodation allowance from 200 kilometres to 100 kilometres.
• Expanding eligibility to include medical travel companions accompanying a patient who is hospitalized.

“The Northern Health Travel Grant plays a vital role in mitigating the financial burden of medical‐related travel for the people of Ontario in Northern communities,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “This enhancement in Ontario’s 2024 Budget is part of our plan to support health care in northern and rural communities.”

Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care , the Ontario government is making it easier and faster for people to connect to the care they need, when they need it, no matter where they live.

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Backlog for health travel grant claims blamed on hiring freeze, MPP says

Nickel belt's france gélinas says reduced staffing level at sudbury nhtg office causing backlog.

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Northerners who have to travel to points south for medical reasons know all about being out-of-pocket for expenses.

The Ministry of Health helps defray those costs with travel grants, but recently some families have had to wait longer than usual to be reimbursed.

The Northern Health Travel Grant (NHTG) provides a portion of the cost when an individual must travel at least 100 kilometres one way to access the closest medical specialist, or healthcare service not available in their home area.

• Funding boost allows patients who travel for medical needs in northern Ontario to be eligible for more money
• $10M to cover northern patient hotel bills, but should it go to hospitals?
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Ken Obansawin's six-year-old son has cystic fibrosis and must visit Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto at least twice a year for check-ups, but more visits are needed if there's a problem.

The family drives south the night before the appointment, stays in a hotel and then drives back to Hanmer the next day.

It adds up to about $400 in travel expenses, some of which they get back through the Northern Health Travel Grant.

The family submits a claim after each visit and then gets reimbursed, usually, six weeks later.

Obansawin says last October they submitted a claim, and then waited 12 weeks for the cheque from the Ministry of Health. 

"You get your credit card balance and you get a bit of money back. It helps out a little bit, but this way here, it's just so far gone and you're booking the next hotels and you still haven't been paid," he said.

The family had already booked their hotel accommodations for the upcoming March appointment in Toronto, and still hadn't received the October claim payment.

Not acceptable

Obansawin took the details of the delay to his MPP.

Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas says she's heard from other northern families who are stressed by similar delays, Some have been waiting as long as four months.

Gélinas, who is the NDP Health Critic, believes reduced staffing levels at the ministry's health travel grant office in Sudbury, are to blame.

• Ford orders public sector hiring freeze, excludes essential frontline staff
• Ford government aiming to slash size of public service through voluntary departures

The Ford provincial government initiated a hiring freeze of civil servants in 2019, to reduce the provincial deficit.

"To me the answer is clear: backfill those positions. The people of northern Ontario need those workers to be there to process those claims," Gélinas said.

The Sudbury location the only site that processes the claims and payments for the travel grant program.

"It is not acceptable that a government puts people through so much stress and hardship on the fact that they don't want to hire. The civil service has to provide a level of service."

Ministry of Health reviewing service delivery of NHTG

In an email to CBC News, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care didn't elaborate on what the problem is. But did say it was reviewing the service delivery of the NHTG program. 

The ministry admits the processing of travel grants is taking about 10 weeks, but says processing staff is working to return to service delivery standards of six weeks.

According to the same email, the Ministry of Health says it is currently in the planning phase of providing payment delivery through electronic bank deposits, and that once available, it will expedite the processing of health travel grants.

Claims and receipts for the Northern Health Travel Grant must be mailed or submitted to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's NHTG office on Larch Street in Sudbury. There is no online version to submit a claim.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Angela Gemmill is a CBC journalist who covers news in Sudbury and northern Ontario. Connect with her on Twitter @AngelaGemmill. Send story ideas to [email protected]

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Changes coming to travel grant program

Several changes are  being made  to the Northern Ontario Health Travel Grant.

The program reimburses people who  have to  travel to access healthcare  not available  in their community.

Beginning this fall , the province will  begin  implementing the changes  that will include  an online application form that provides  for  digital receipt submissions to make reimbursement fast.

The need for a signature from the referring healthcare provider will be eliminated , and  more eligible healthcare providers and locations will be added .

The government also plans to remove the 100-kilometre deductible,  allowing people to  be reimbursed  for every kilometre they travel.

The accommodation allowance for overnight trips is increased from $100 to $175 per night, with the allowance for stays eight days or longer going from $550 to $1,150.

The travel distance requirement to be eligible for accommodation allowance will be reduced  from 200 kilometres to 100 kilometres.

“We know that for too long, patients in northern Ontario have faced unique challenges when accessing healthcare,” says Jones.

“That is why our government is asking and putting in action to expand access to care in every corner of Ontario. And our investments to expand and enhance the Northern Health travel grant will ensure more people in northern Ontario can connect to the specialized care they need when  they need it .”

The government is setting aside $45 million  over three years  to implement the changes.

In  2022-23,  approximately 170,000 Northern Health Travel Grants were processed  to support approximately 66,000 northern Ontario residents.

The Ministry says  98% of eligible applications were paid  within four to six weeks.

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Province expanding northern health travel grant program

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THUNDER BAY – The province is expanding the Northern Ontario Health Travel Grant program to cover more costs incurred by patients needing eligible out-of-town care.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones on Tuesday revealed details of the revamped plan at a stop at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, announcing they have increased the overnight accommodation allowance from $100 a night to $175, and from $550 to $1,050 for stays of eight nights or longer.

The government also reduced the travel distance requirements from 200 kilometres round trip to 100 kilometres and have expanded the eligibility to cover costs of medical travel companions accompanying a patient requiring hospitalization.

The province plans to provide $45 million over three years to fund the program.

Jones said the goal is to provide Northern Ontarians with a better health-care experience, acknowledging residents often don’t have access to a full suite of medical services in their home communities, especially in sparsely populated regions in the Northwest.

That shouldn’t mean accessing health care needs to be a financial burden, the minister said, calling it another step toward connecting people in the region to the specialized health care they need.

“These programs provide financial reimbursement that helps cover the medical related costs Northern Ontario residents have incurred while travelling to access OHIP-insured health-care services that are not available within a 100-kilometre radius of where they live,” Jones said.

“The province will begin implementing expansions and needed improvements to the Northern Health Travel Grant program starting this fall.”

The changes will also include a more convenient, online application form, that includes digital receipt submission capabilities, allowing for faster reimbursements and eliminates the need for a signature from a referring physician or health-care provider.

The expansion also adds more health-care partners to the program, as well as community labs, to help more people get reimbursed for their costs.

“(We’ve also) removed the 100-kilometre deductible so people can get reimbursed for every kilometre travelled, to offset higher gas prices. These changes are also increasing reimbursements for overnight trips, to better reflect people’s needs and increased costs,” Jones said.

Paul Carr, a patient advocate at Thunder Bay Regional, said he welcomes the new changes, noting the care needed, including cardiac surgery, isn't always available close to home.

“Sometimes (patients) face many barriers in terms of accessing care. When you have to travel long distances to attend appointments or receive specialized care or surgeries, it would be great if patients could access the same level of care and services throughout the province, but we know that’s not the case right now,” Carr said.

“Some of our patients have to travel for excess care and this can be a daunting experience. For some it might be the first time they’ve ever travelled to an urban centre.”

Every little bit helps, Carr said.

NDP MPP Lise Vaugeois applauded the changes, calling the move good news for Northern Ontarians, in particular the removal of the 100-kilometre deductible for the gas repayment. However, Vaugeois said the province could have gone further and increased the mileage rate from the current 41 cents a kilometre.

“I think we get roughly 61 cents a kilometre as MPPs,” Vaugeois said. “It’s miles from where it needs to be to cover the cost.”

She added the hotel accommodation rate falls a bit short of the actual cost of rooms, especially in centres like Toronto.

The spending was previously announced in the 2024 Ontario budget.

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