Health Ministry to cover costs for inconvenienced Medical needs travellers

After an intervention by the North Coast MLA, the Ministry of Health has decided to cover all Travel Assistance Program expenses for patients inconvenienced by the shut down of the Queen of Prince Rupert.

When B. C. Ferries refused to cover the costs, the MLA went to work on the Health Minister to help out those that were inconvenienced and to make sure that the Ferry Corporation and the Health Ministry were on the same page for any future situations.

The Daily New provided the details of the situation and its resolution in the Monday edition.

MEDICAL-NEEDS TRAVELLERS TO GET HELP
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Page one
Monday, November 27, 2006

The Ministry of Health will cover all Travel Assistance Program (TAP) expenses for patients who would have been travelling on the Queen of Prince Rupert on the days it has been out of service.

“Health Minister George Abbott has assured me that his ministry will cover the costs incurred for travel,” said North Coast MLA Gary Coons. “It’s my expectation that B.C. Ferries and the ministry will make arrangements so that the next time there is a service disruption, people won’t have to pay out-of-pocket for necessary medical travel.”

The Queen of Prince Rupert went out of service Nov. 18 and will not return to service until Nov. 29. In addition to stopping the normal traffic of goods and people, the service disruption meant that people with medical needs would need to find alternative ways to get to and from treatment.

“As remote coastal communities that deserve the same service as anyone in the province, there needs to be the public scrutiny over our vital marine highway,” he said.

“The ferry corporation receives, as per the service contract, monthly payments from the province for those that use the ferry for the TAP under the Social Program Reimbursement.
“B.C. Ferries should have been in contact with the patient and the ministry and informed them that they are unable to make their commitments so that patients do not undergo any further stress and concern.”

The Travel Assistance Program offers travel discounts, usually 30 per cent, to eligible patients who must travel within the province to access non-emergency medical specialist services. Patients who have already made other travel plans must submit their receipts for reimbursement.

“After B.C. Ferries refused to cover the costs, my staff and I pressed the Health Ministry to pick up the tab,” said Coons.

“Once again, we on the coast have to raise our voices to ensure we get the services other British Columbians take for granted.”

To be eligible for TAP, the person must be a B.C. resident enrolled in MSP and must have a physician’s referral for medical services that are not available locally. Health care services that are not provided by physicians such as psychology, optometry, physiotherapy, massage therapy, podiatry, dentistry, naturopathy and chiropractic, and services that are not insured by MSP, like experimental procedures, drug trials or cosmetic surgery, are not eligible for assistance.

Meals, accommodation, fuel and local transportation expenses are also not covered.

Selected stories from The Daily News are available on line from their website.