The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is committed to supporting safe, respectful and accessible health care for First Nations people in BC. To strenghten this commitment, FNHA is updating the Closest Appropriate Provider policy under the Medical Transportation (MT) Benefit to increase flexibility and support Clients seeking culturally safe care.
Recognizing cultural safety
Feeling safe and respected when accessing health care is essential to every Client's wellness journey. The updated policy now includes a dedicated section that reflects the importance of access to culturally safe care.
Effective April 13, 2026, when a Client is unable to access care from their closest appropriate provider due to cultural safety concerns, the MT Benefit will support eligible travel to the next‑closest appropriate provider.
In these situations, Patient Travel Clerks in community are no longer required to submit an exception request unless another condition applies (e.g., if the travel is seven or more nights).If a Client requests to travel beyond the next closest appropriate provider, an exception request will be required.
Travel coverage to better support client choice
Under the broader Closest Appropriate Provider policy, Clients receive travel coverage to the closest appropriate health care provider for the services they need. When a Client requests to travel to a provider that is farther away, Health Benefits MT Operations reviews the request as an exception, considering factors such as appointment ugency and the Client's specific health needs.
Effective April 13, 2026, when a Client's request to travel to a farther provider does not meet the criteria for additional coverage, they may still receive MT Benefits equal to the amount they would receive for travel to their closest appropriate provider. This update supports Client choice and self‑determination while maintaining alignment with the Closest Appropriate Provider policy and supports the long‑term sustainability of the Health Benefits Program.
Clients considering travel to a farther provider are encouraged to speak with their Patient Travel Clerk to understand what coverage may be available and what documentation may be required.
Support and resources
Clients who have questions about provider options or coverage are encouraged to speak with their local Patient Travel Clerk, who can help identify the next closest appropriate provider and explain what supports may be available.
Clients may also choose to connect with the FNHA's Quality Care and Safety Office (QCSO) to share feedback about their healthcare experience or seek support related to cultural safety concerns. The QCSO can be reached toll-free at: 1‑844‑935‑1044
Additional contact information for regional quality teams is available on the QCSO webpage.
The updated MT Benefits Schedule will be posted to the FNHA webpage on April 13, 2026. Patient Travel Clerks and Health Leads should also refer to the updated MT Administrator Guide for eligibility guidance. An up-to-date copy will be available in the Kucén system on April 13, 2026. For communities that do not yet use Kucén, please contact transportation@fnha.ca to request a copy.
