5.1 Medical transportation benefits may include the provision of only one (1) medical or non-medical escort per Client travelling to access medically required health services.
5.2 The use of an escort must be preauthorized by First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) or a First Nations/Inuit or 3rd party health authority. The length of time for which the escort is authorized will be determined by the Client's medical condition or legal requirements.
5.3 Medical transportation benefits do not include the payment of a fee, honorarium or salary to medical or non-medical escorts.
Medical Escorts
5.4 Medical escorts, either a physician or registered nurse, may be approved in cases, which involve a Client with an acute illness where monitoring and/or stabilization are required during travel and such services are not covered by the provincial/territorial or 3rd party plan.
Non-Medical Escorts
5.5 The provision of a non-medical escort may be approved, following a doctor's or community health professional's request, only when there is a legal or medical requirement such as:
a) where the Client has a physical disability, which requires help with activities of daily living;
b) where the Client is medically incapacitated;
c) where the Client has been declared "mentally incompetent" by a court of competent jurisdiction and assistance to access medically required health services, legal consent or help with activities of daily living is required;
d) when there is a need for legal consent by a parent or guardian;
e) to accompany a minor (as determined by provincial/territorial legislation) who is accessing medically required health services;
f) when a language barrier exists to access medically required health services and these services are not available at the referred location; or
g) to receive instructions on specific and essential home medical/nursing procedures.
5.6 When an escort has been authorized, the following criteria should be considered in selecting the escort:
a) a family member who is required to sign consent forms or provide a patient history;
b) a reliable member of the community;
c) physically capable of taking care of themselves and the Client and not requiring assistance or an escort themselves;
d) proficient in translating from local language to English/French;
e) able to share personal space to support Client; and
f) interested in the well being of the Client.
5.7 Unless there is a medical or legal requirement for an escort to stay longer, or it is more practical financially to have the escort stay longer, the escort shall return to the community by the earliest reasonable means.
