Pediatric Out-of-Province Travel Assistance Program (PTAP)

Children 16 years of age and younger, with a valid Saskatchewan health card, and their family may be eligible for assistance with some costs associated with travelling outside of the province for medical treatment.

If a health care provider refers a child to a Saskatchewan specialist and it is determined they require a medical service or diagnostic test which is not provided in Saskatchewan, they may be referred outside the province for treatment.

A child's specialist may submit an application on their behalf for financial assistance with the costs of travelling to the appointment.

To be eligible for reimbursement, all requests must be approved by the Ministry of Health prior to submitting a claim.

Approved pediatric patients and one parent or guardian will be eligible for assistance with travel expenses up to a maximum of $2,000 per trip.

The Pediatric Out-of-Province Travel Assistance Program is not intended to cover all costs but to reduce the financial impact on children and their families who have to seek medical treatment or diagnostic testing out-of-province when the medical services are not provided in Saskatchewan.

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1. What type of expenses are covered?

Costs for transportation, accommodations and per diem expenses in relation to accessing medically required care outside of the province can all be claimed. This includes any combination of the following up to the maximum of $2,000.

Transportation Costs:
- One (1) round trip economy airfare for both patient and a parent or guardian ( paid receipts and boarding passes required)
- Travel by private vehicle is reimbursed at $0.5496 per kilometre and is calculated to/from either the patient's home (no receipts required).
- Economy travel by other commercial carriers such as rail or bus (receipts required for reimbursement).
- Ground and air ambulance expenses (receipts required).
Accommodation Costs:
- Accommodation expenses are eligible to be submitted for a trip where overnight stay is required to receive treatment.
- If no receipt is provided due to staying with relatives, friends, or at the hospital, the allowable claim is $35.00 per night.
Per Diem Expenses:
- This includes expenses such as meals, gratuities, parking, taxis, etc.
- Per diem claims are to a maximum $61.00 per person per day for the patient and one parent / guardian (maximum $122/day combined).
- No receipts are required for daily per diems.

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2. How do I know if I am eligible?

To be eligible, a health care professional must refer a child to a specialist or specialist program in Saskatchewan. The child must be assessed as requiring a medical or diagnostic service that is not provided in Saskatchewan. The specialist must send an application to the Saskatchewan Provincial Head of Pediatrics explaining why the medical treatment is required to be received outside of Saskatchewan.

It must be demonstrated that the services or diagnostics are medically necessary and not excluded from coverage (e.g. not experimental, of emerging technology or being performed on a trial basis).

The Ministry of Health will provide a written response to the parent/guardian and the specialist who submitted the application informing whether the application was approved.

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3. How do I claim expenses?

If eligible for assistance with travel costs, the Ministry of Health will send confirmation along with a claim form. Keep all receipts and submit them to the Ministry of Health after treatment has been received and you have returned to Saskatchewan.

Proof of attendance for all appointments must be submitted with each claim to be eligible for reimbursement.

Travel assistance will be reimbursed by cheque in Canadian funds.

The Ministry of Health only reimburses expenses for treatment which has been received out of province. The ministry is not responsible for cancelled appointments. Travel insurance is highly recommended to cover unforeseen changes.

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4. How long do I have to claim expenses?

The timeline for submission of travel assistance reimbursement is one (1) year from the date the medical treatment was received. Expenses submitted after one year are not eligible for reimbursement.

Claims for reimbursement should be sent to:

Pediatric Out of Province Travel Assistance Program
Medical Services, Ministry of Health
2nd Floor, 3475 Albert Street, Regina SK S4S 6X6
Email: TravelAssistanceProgram@health.gov.sk.ca

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5. What if I have additional questions?

If you have questions about the program, email TravelAssistanceProgram@health.gov.sk.ca.