Northern Health Travel Grant: How to Apply

If you live in Northern Ontario, are covered by OHIP, and your closest medical facility is 100 km or more away, you can apply for the Northern Health Travel Grant. Fill out the current application form completely, including your OHIP number and treatment date, and submit original receipts for travel and accommodation. Send each round-trip application by mail within 12 months of your appointment. Keep in mind, recent updates have simplified the process and expanded coverage. For full details and guidelines, keep exploring this helpful program.

Highlights

Complete the current application form 0327-88E (2024/11) with accurate personal and OHIP information, including treatment date and payment preference.
Attach original receipts for all eligible travel and accommodation expenses; photocopies are not accepted.
Submit one application per round trip by mail to the Ministry of Health Claims Services Branch in Sudbury within 12 months of treatment.
Ensure your primary residence is in a designated Northern Ontario district and the nearest medical facility is at least 100 km away.
Expect processing within 6 to 8 weeks; an online system for digital receipt submissions will launch in Spring 2025.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants

Although you must meet several conditions to qualify, the primary eligibility for the Northern Health Travel Grant depends on your residency and insurance status.

To apply, you need to be an Ontario resident insured under OHIP on the treatment date, with your primary residence located in designated Northern Ontario districts such as Algoma, Sudbury, or Kenora.

Applicants must reside in designated Northern Ontario districts and be insured under OHIP on the treatment date.

Residency verification is vital and confirmed through official documentation. Your Ontario Health Insurance Plan card must be valid and active throughout the service period. Additionally, your nearest medical facility must be at least 100 km away from your primary residence to meet the minimum travel requirement for eligibility.

These clear application eligibility criteria guarantee you qualify only if you live in recognized geographic areas and maintain current insurance coverage. Meeting these requirements is the first important step toward securing financial support for necessary travel to medical specialists beyond your local area.

Required Documentation and Application Forms

To apply for the Northern Health Travel Grant, you’ll need to complete the current application form fully and submit it along with all required documentation.

Use the latest NHTG application form version 0327-88E (2024/11), available through northern healthcare providers like doctors or dentists. Make certain to fill out both sides, including the new Section 4 Payment Preference, and submit pages 3 and 4 together.

Your personal information, including health card details and contact info, must be accurate. Remember, original receipts for travel and accommodation are mandatory—photocopies won’t be accepted.

Applications must be submitted within 12 months of the treatment date to be eligible for reimbursement submission deadline.

The referring healthcare provider’s signature is required to validate your application. Adhering to these application forms and documentation requirements guarantees your request is processed smoothly and on time.

Step-by-Step Application Submission Process

When you submit your Northern Health Travel Grant application, you’ll need to follow a specific process to guarantee it’s accepted and processed without delays.

First, fill out the current application form using black or blue ink, including your OHIP number and appointment date. Attach original receipts—not photocopies—for all travel and accommodation expenses, including those of any travel companions. The grant is designed to provide financial assistance to Northern Ontario residents travelling over 100 km for medically necessary OHIP-insured services.

Remember, each round trip needs its own application, submitted by mail to the Ministry of Health Claims Services Branch in Sudbury. Keep in mind applications must be received within 12 months of your service date.

The submission timeline typically takes 6 to 8 weeks to process, though peak times may extend this. For secure delivery, consider registered mail.

Following these steps ensures a smooth application process and timely reimbursement.

Travel and Accommodation Reimbursement Guidelines

After you’ve submitted your application following the outlined steps, it’s important to understand the guidelines for travel and accommodation reimbursement.

The program covers travel distances starting from 100 kilometres, eliminating previous deductibles, and reimburses approximately $0.41 per kilometre for the most direct route. If multiple patients travel together, only one travel grant is issued per round trip. The government has expanded eligibility to include medical travel companions of hospitalized patients, making more people eligible for support.

Accommodation reimbursement limits have increased to $175 per night for stays after December 1, 2024, with a maximum allowance of $1,150 for extended stays. To qualify, your medical service must be at least 100 kilometres away, and you’ll need to submit original accommodation receipts.

Knowing these reimbursement limits and travel distances guarantees you maximize your eligible expenses without surprises.

Recent Updates and Important Program Changes

Although the Northern Health Travel Grant program has long supported patients traveling for specialized care, recent updates have expanded its reach and simplified the process to better serve you.

The program expansion now includes community laboratories as eligible locations and covers medical travel companions, making it easier for Northern Ontario residents in 10 districts to access care. This expansion is part of a larger investment of $45 million over three years aimed at connecting Northern families to specialized health care services.

Community labs and medical travel companions are now covered, easing access for Northern Ontario residents across 10 districts.

Application modernization efforts have eliminated the need for a referring provider’s signature, and a new online system launching in Spring 2025 will enable digital receipt submissions and faster reimbursements.

Travel distance requirements have been reduced, and deductibles removed, ensuring every kilometre you travel is eligible for reimbursement.

These important program changes reflect a commitment to reducing costs and improving access, helping you connect with specialized health services more conveniently and affordably.