Medical Travel

The Yukon has a travel for medical treatment program, which is available to help eligible persons with the cost of medically necessary transportation. This refers to a medical emergency and to those non-emergency services, which are not available in the home community but are necessary for the well being of the patient. A transportation request must be approved by a medical practitioner and approved by the Medical Travel program in advance. All Yukon residents registered with the Yukon Health Care Insurance Program and who meet the program requirements are eligible for this program. The program covers the cost of transportation from the home community to the nearest centre where services may be provided.

The program covers in-territory travel for the following services:

  • assessment and treatment by Hearing Services in Whitehorse;
  • assessment and treatment by Mental Health Services in Whitehorse' assessment and treatment by the Child Development Services in Whitehorse;
  • and assessment and treatment by the Therapy Services Unit in the Thomson Centre in Whitehorse.

The program also provides a subsidy if a patient is not admitted to a facility but requires out-patient services. They may be eligible to receive $30 per day reimbursement after the fourth day of receiving out-patient services, to a maximum of 15 days.  All subsidy claims in excess of 15 days must be reviewed and approved by the Director of Insured Services.

Transportation costs for escorts are paid when the authorized practitioner requests an escort and provides justification. This includes the physical dependence of the patient upon others; the mental capacity of the patient; the age of the patient (all children under 19 years of age will be escorted and  the health of the patient. In the case of a terminally or critically ill child, travel costs for both parents may be covered under the program's compassionate clause.

For more information on any of these programs, please contact Health Services Branch directly at 867-667-5203.

Guide to Travelling Yukon Patients (PDF, 419 KB)