Province to Cover More Costs for Out of Province Travel Accommodations

Government is boosting support for Nova Scotians who have to travel and stay out of province for an extended time to receive medical care.

The Travel and Accommodations Assistance Policy now offers accommodation assistance of up to $2,500 per month for people who need to relocate longer than one month, an increase of $1,000.

“I can appreciate the toll it must take to be away from home for medical care,” said Health and Wellness Minister Randy Delorey. “These changes will allow people to focus on their treatment and recovery with less worry about accommodation costs.”

Travel assistance of up to $1,000 for round trip travel is also available for both the patient and a parent or caregiver.

To qualify, patients must be preapproved for an insured medical service that is not available in Nova Scotia, such as a lung transplant.

The new policy is retroactive to April 1.

The department will contact those who qualify for retroactive funding under this program.

In 2017-18, 173 people received $403,300 in assistance under the policy.

For more information, visit https://novascotia.ca/dhw/Travel-and-Accommodation-Assistance/ .