If you need to leave your home community for medical care, supports may be available. This page explains the coverage and process for NTHSSA-administered medical travel supports, including how to appeal a decision. If you have coverage through WSCC, an employer plan, or private insurance, contact your provider directly for their process.

On this page

Who coordinates your medical travel

Medical travel is supported through different coverage types. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) sets the policy and funding for:

• Extended Health Benefits (EHB): for seniors (60+), low-income residents, and those above the low-income threshold needing medical supplies and equipment, and medical travel for residents who hold a valid NWT Health Care Card but have no benefits or private insurance.
• Métis Health Benefits (MHB): for Indigenous Métis residents of the Northwest Territories

These are administered by the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA).

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) is a federal program for registered First Nations and Inuit residents that follows the NIHB Medical Transportation Policy Framework. It is also administered by NTHSSA on behalf of Indigenous Services Canada.

Here is a list of coverage types coordinated by different providers:

A coverage provider is the organization responsible for helping pay your medical travel costs. This could be the NTHSSA Medical Travel Office, the federal government, your employer, or another benefit plan.

If you have coverage through WSCC, an employer-sponsored plan, or private insurance, you must follow their process for accessing medical travel support. Contact your coverage provider directly for details. NTHSSA does not manage these benefits. The information below applies only to medical travel supports administered by NTHSSA.

What you need to know

You do not arrange medical travel directly with the NTHSSA Medical Travel Office.

If you need to travel for insured medical services that are not available in your home community, your health care provider will work with your regional NTHSSA Medical Travel Office to submit the required referral information.

Note: If you have a valid NWT Health Care Card but do not have benefits coverage or private insurance, you will need to apply for Extended Health Benefits before medical travel benefits can be provided.

What happens next

If your referral is approved, your regional NTHSSA Medical Travel Office will contact you to arrange travel or provide instructions for reimbursement should you wish to book your own travel. Each follow-up appointment requires separate approval.

What may be covered

Supports may include:

• Travel to and from the closest location where care is available.
• Accommodations and meals at designated boarding homes (or hotel reimbursement if unavailable).
• Costs for approved escorts

Travel must be approved in advance by the NTHSSA Medical Travel Office.

What is not covered

Medical travel does not cover:

• Travel for services not insured under the NWT Health Care Plan (for example, cosmetic or elective procedures)
• Personal travel upgrades or baggage fees
• Costs from missed or changed travel that were not pre-approved

Escort eligibility

An escort is a person who may be approved to travel with you if you meet certain criteria. They must be capable and willing to support you for the duration of your medical travel trip.

An escort may be approved if:

• you are under 19 and need support.
• you are pregnant and travelling to give birth.
• you are breastfeeding an infant and require an escort.
• you have a mental or physical disability and cannot travel unassisted.
• your health care provider has referred you for an initial diagnosis of a life-threatening illness.
• you need language interpretation during your trip.
• you are undergoing medical procedures that require general anesthetic or outpatient sedation and cannot travel unassisted afterword.
• your treatment team has asked for someone to travel with you to learn how to care for you after discharge

Appeal a medical travel decision

If you disagree with a medical travel decision, you can submit an appeal.

To apply:

• Complete the Appeal Request Form
• Submit within 60 days of the decision:
  • Email: medtravappeal@gov.nt.ca
  • Fax: 867-873-0266

You will receive a decision:

• Within 10 business days if travel is upcoming
• Within 30 business days if travel has already occurred

Download printable materials

• Accessing Medical Travel Supports in the NWT (PDF, 1.38 MB)
• Medical travel information poster (PDF, 325.57 KB)
• Escort eligibility handout (PDF, 800 KB)

If you still need help

Visit NTHSSA Medical Travel for more information.