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# Improvements to medical travel support

The Government of Yukon is making travel easier and more affordable for Yukoners. Starting January 1, 2021, the medical travel subsidy for patients will double, from $75 per day to $150 per day, for multi-day travel. A new $75 subsidy will also be introduced for same day travel for both patients and escorts.

Medical travel to cities such as Prince George, Victoria and Kelowna will also be included in the medical travel subsidy program. Increased options will give patients more flexibility in determining the most appropriate destination to respond to their treatment needs.

To reflect the new vision of medical travel, a new care coordination and medical travel unit will be created in 2021–22. The new unit will deliver wraparound support to all Yukoners travelling for medical treatment, including those travelling through other insurance programs such as Non-Insured Health Benefits.

Improvements to medical travel support are included in the recommendations of Putting People First, the Government of Yukon’s roadmap to transform Yukon’s health and social services system into a more integrated, collaborative and person-centred system that will better meet the needs of Yukoners.

> Our government is committed to reducing the financial strain faced by Yukoners travelling for medical treatment in and out of territory. These changes will make medical travel more affordable and accessible for Yukoners while expanding options for treatment. The new care coordination unit will also ensure that all Yukoners have comprehensive support as they receive the medical treatment they need. These improvements to medical travel supports are part of our efforts to move Yukon toward a more holistic and people-centred health and social services system.

Quick facts

- Putting People First is the final report of Yukon’s comprehensive review of health and social program and services.

- The current medical travel subsidy has been in place since 2006.

- The existing medical travel subsidy for patients will double, from $75 per day to $150 per day for multi-day travel. Approved escorts will be eligible for $75 per day. For medical travel trips that only last a single day, eligible patients and approved escorts are each eligible for $75 for that day.

- Local travel subsidies for rural residents living in zone one and two and travelling to Whitehorse will end on December 31, 2020, to allow for more effective program delivery.

- The list of destination cities currently limits travel to Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton.

- Travel for medical treatment program is available to help eligible people with the cost of medically necessary transportation. Yukoners are eligible for medical travel benefits if they are residents registered with the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan and meet the program requirements.

Media contact

Janine Workman
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0480
janine.workman@gov.yk.ca

Julie Ménard
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-667-8478
julie.menard@gov.yk.ca

News release #:
20-293