The MT Benefit is intended to provide financial support when a Client is accessing medically necessary health services not available in their community of residence. This support may include coverage towards the cost of transportation, meals and accommodation. It is intended as a supplement and may not cover the full cost of your travel.

MT Benefits may support travel to many different health-related services, such as:

• Services eligible under First Nations Health Benefits (e.g., dental, vision, etc.).
• Medical services covered by the BC Medical Services Plan or a public health agency (e.g., cancer related travel).
• Publicly funded diagnostic tests and preventative screening programs. • Traditional healers, if approved as an Exception.
• First Nations Health Authority funded Treatment Centres for substance use, recovery, and trauma programs.
• Witnessed ingestion of Opioid Agonist Treatment.

MT Benefits cover travel to the closest appropriate provider, using the most efficient and economical mode of transportation that best suits your medical needs and condition.​

The MT Benefit supplements the cost of meals in accordance with the following rates (effective December 1, 2025):

Fee sched​ule for meal rate​s ​
Daily rate for same-day trips lastin​​g more than six hou​rs. ​	$36​.75 per person, five years of age and over
	$17.50 per pers​​on under five years of age
Nightly rate for overnight trips up to six nights i​n duration ​	$73.​​00 per night per person, five yea​​rs of age or over
	$31.00 per night per person under​​ 5 years of age
Weekl​y rate for o​vernight trips of seven nights or more	$294.75​​ per week per Client
	$442.75​ per week per Client and approved escort*​

*Note: The weekly rate of $442.75 per week is an inclusive rate for the Client and escort and applies only when the Client is an outpatient. An approved escort supporting a Client in the hospital will continue to access the weekly rate of $294.75 per week.​

If you need help getting to or from your medical appointment, your MT Benefits may provide coverage for an escort to support you while travelling. This could be a family member or a friend who provides the support you need. You may need an escort if:

• You have a physical or mental disability and need help with daily tasks;
• You are undergoing a medical procedure like day surgery;
• You face a language barrier and need a translator; or
• You are travelling to give birth.

In some cases, you may need to provide documentation from your healthcare provider to confirm the need for an escort.

The Health Benefits Program is available to First Nations people with Indian status who live in BC. The Health Benefits Program is also available to infants (up to 24 months) if at least one parent is eligible for the program. For full eligibility information visit the webpage here.

Most Clients should contact their community's PT Clerk to access MT Benefits. If your community does not have a PT Clerk or you're unsure who to contact, please call FNHB MT Operations at 1-855-550-5454.

Steps to access MT Benefit Coverage:

1. Submit a Medical Transportation Request Form at least 5 business days before your trip to get prior approval. You will also need to provide written confirmation of your appointment from your healthcare provider. Please note that if you do not receive prior approval, you may need to reschedule your appointment or pay for your travel costs upfront and request reimbursement later.
2. Your PT Clerk or MT Assessor at FNHB will make your travel arrangements and send you the details. 
3. Attend your appointment as scheduled and get a signed confirmation of attendance slip from your healthcare provider.
4. After your trip, submit your confirmation of attendance slip. Any outstanding reimbursements will be processed once you submit this slip. Please note that Clients who do not attend their appointment may be asked to pay back the cost of their travel.

Check your benefits online:

• Login or Create an Account 
• Download the PBC App 
• PBC Website​

Some types of travel and expenses are not covered under the MT Benefit. These are called Exclusions and cannot be reviewed through the Exceptions or Appeals process.

• Some examples include: Compassionate travel (e.g., travelling to visit a family member who is receiving medical treatment);
• Payment of fees for a doctor's note;
• Travel back to your community of residence if you become sick or injured while away from home;
• Travel when the medically necessary service is available in your community;
• Travel to access medical appointments located outside of Canada;
• Travel to access services that are not considered medically necessary; or
• ​Travel where the only purpose is to pick up items that do not need to be fitted (e.g., prescriptions, prescription glasses or contacts and some medical supplies and equipment).

When a coverage request for travel has been denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. Items and services that are Exclusions cannot be appealed. See the Appeals page for more information about the appeals process.

If you have any questions about your Medical Transportation plan, how to access coverage, or why a claim was denied, call Health Benefits at 1-855-550-5454.

The forms below are for Clients whose travel is being arranged by FNHB MT Operations. If a PT Clerk is arranging your travel, please contact them for the appropriate forms.

• Medical Transportation Checklist
• Medical Transportation Request Form
• Medical Transportation Confirmation of Appointment Form
• Medical Transportation Escort Form
• Medical Transportation Confirmation of Attendance Form​