Medical Travel services help eligible NWT residents access medical travel through different benefit programs. Regardless of the program, the NWT health system makes all medical travel decisions.
Medical Travel Eligibility
To be eligible, medical travel must start in the NWT, and the service must not be available in your home community. Additionally, the medical referral must be to the nearest centre offering the required treatment.
Different programs provide medical travel benefits to different NWT residents. Contact the relevant organization based on your situation:
- Injured on the Job: Contact WSCC at 1-800-661-0792 for medical travel arrangements.
- Employer Benefits: Check with your employer benefits office.
- Treaty or Status Card: You are eligible for the federal government Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program.
- NWT Health Care Card Holder: Contact the GNWT Medical Travel Office if none of the above apply.
- No Coverage and not a NT resident: Consider getting private health insurance.
Injured on the Job
If you are injured at work, the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) coordinates all medical travel. Inform your employer, health care provider, and WSCC that you were hurt at work. For help with forms, call WSCC at 1-800-661-0792.
Employer Medical Travel Benefits
Many NWT employers provide medical travel benefits for their employees and may also cover spouses or dependents. Examples include:
- Government of the Northwest Territories
- Government of Canada
- Northwest Territories Power Corporation
- Yellowknife Catholic Schools
- Yellowknife Education District No. 1
Check with your employer, collective agreement, or employment contract for details.
Treaty or Status Card
The Government of Canada provides medical travel benefits for First Nations and Inuit, administered by the GNWT.
For more information, see the Medical transportation benefits for First Nations and Inuit (Government of Canada) website.
GNWT Medical Travel Benefits
The GNWT provides medical travel benefits for NWT residents with a valid health care card who have no other medical travel benefits. The Medical Travel Policy outlines the amounts provided.
For more information, see Medical Travel (NTHSSA) website.
No Coverage
If you do not have a valid NWT health card or status card, and your employer does not cover medical travel expenses, you are responsible for paying for any medical travel you need. We recommend you get private insurance that covers emergency medical travel while you are in the NWT. If you are from another part of Canada, check with the health insurance program there to find out what they cover.