The Medical Transportation Benefit is an element of the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB), a health plan which all members of Qalipu, and other First Nations and Inuit in Canada, are eligible to receive.  The benefit provides financial compensation, based on rates set by Health Canada, for the cost of travel, meals, and accommodations for members with a health condition requiring travel to locations outside their communities to receive necessary medical services.

Qalipu First Nation provides the support, pre-approvals, processing and payment for all Medical Transportation Benefits of members of the Band who are living in Atlantic Canada and travelling within Canada for medical reasons.

Mitch Blanchard, Manager of the Health Services Divison says that many members still have not signed up for Electronic Funds Transfer but, they should.

“Processing cheques takes time, Blanchard said, “we’re talking about clients waiting an additional week or more when they could already have access to their money if we had the information we needed to put it right into their bank accounts.”

Blanchard also noted that clients who have not signed up for EFT also run the risk of having cheques lost or stolen in the mail or delivered to the wrong address.

“I encourage all members to sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer now,” Blanchard said.  “Our team will be more than happy to assist clients with setting it up.”

Members are reminded that while they may have provided EFT information to Health Canada, they will need to provide this information to Qalipu in order to receive payment on Medical Transportation Benefit claims.

Please click here to access the form to sign up for EFT.

For more information about your Non-Insured Health Benefits, please visit our website and follow us on Facebook for information, tips and upcoming events.