First Nation Inuit Health Branch, Non-Insured Health Benefit

MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION

Objective:

To provide medical transportation benefits to access medically required health services to the nearest appropriate facility to eligible Clients of the Mushkegowuk Territory in accordance with the Health Canada, First Nation Inuit Health Branch Non-Insured Health Benefits program, NIHB Medical Transportation Policy Framework and regional guidelines.

In order to carry out this objective, Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin will provide medical transportation benefits to all registered members of Taykwa Tagamou, Kashechewan, Fort Albany, Attawapiskat, Moose Cree and Weenusk (Peawanuck) First Nation living on and off-reserve in the Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin catchment area which includes New Post and Cochrane in the Province of Ontario in accordance with the Contribution Agreement between WHA and FNIHB.

Medical Transportation Non-Insured Health Benefits will include coverage for comprehensive travel (all travel required), including meals and accommodation for approved medical travel when away from the reserve or outside of the community.  These benefits will be in accordance with the FNIHB-NIHB Medical Transportation Policy, July 2005 document.  This document may be accessed on the Health Canada website or you may request a copy by contacting Sandra Linklater, Manager Client & Dental Services at (705) 658-4544 ext. 2364.

Eligibility:

The eligibility of all clients must be verified prior to providing benefits.  The client must produce a 10 digit Status registration number to be eligible for medical transportation benefits.

Payment:

The most economical, efficient and appropriate means of transportation is always to be used, considering the urgency of the situation and the medical condition of the Client.

The maximum payment by the Recipient for meals, accommodation and mileage shall be as per the amount outlined in the Contribution Agreement between FNIHB and WHA.

Medical transportation benefits shall not be provided for Non-Benefits as identified in the NIHB Medical Transportation Policy Framework.

Weeneebayko Patient Services provides case management for inpatients and outpatients referred from the Weeneebayko area. Case management involves basic counseling, Mushkegowuk Cree medical and cultural interpretation, patient advocacy and education, admission and discharge planning and liaison and referral services. Accommodation for outpatients, escorts and inpatients discharged prior to transportation is provided at Geaganano Residence. Meals are provided at the Weeneebayko Patient Services Dining Room weekdays and local restaurants on the weekends.

Weeneebayko Patient Services operates its own transportation services for outpatients, escorts and staff within the city of Kingston.

The Kingston - Weeneebayko Charter (funded by the Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin) is an 18 seat airplane which makes flights from Kingston and James Bay on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Weeneebayko Patient Services coordinates the transportation of patients and escorts from Kingston to Moosonee.

Geaganano Residence is located at 176 Johnson Street directly across from Hotel Dieu Hospital. The 4,036 sq. ft. building contains ten bedrooms, and seventeen beds. A wheelchair accessible washroom is available on the first floor. Geaganano Residence is two blocks from downtown Kingston. Guests can easily walk to the pharmacy, restaurants and shops - and find their way home.

Weeneebayko Patient Services uses downtown hotels to accommodate the overflow of patients and escorts. The hotels are a few minutes walk from Geaganano Residence and the Weeneebayko Patient Services office at Hotel Dieu Hospital. Geaganano Residence is used as a drop-in centre for these guests.

The Hostel provides short-term accommodation for inpatients and outpatients referred from the Weeneebayko area accessing health care in Timmins. The Hostel offers meals, accommodation, transfers between the airport, Hostel and Hospital or other Specialty Service, and translation services to clients.

There are no same day return flights to the coastal communities any longer so these clients must overnight in Timmins. The hostel provides meals for all the clients coming to Timmins for appointments, as well as provide temporary accommodation for clients travelling through Timmins from and to points south of Timmins.

Support Services:

    Translation Services and Referrals

    Transportation (to and from an airport, train station or bus terminal to a

     health facility only)

The majority of the translation requiring medical terminology is done by the Translator(s) at the Timmins & District Hospital. However, all the hostel staff are fluent in Cree and the first language that is used there is Cree. Most referrals are done by the Timmins Translator.

Transportation to and from arrival and departure points and to appointments take up a great deal of the time during the day and the hostel uses two vans to coordinate the transporting of several patients at the same time.

Client-Based Services:

The hostel provides a safe and culturally sensitive environment for clients who have to leave familiar surroundings in order to attend medical appointments. Many of the clients are Cree-speaking only, so it becomes important that the staff in Hostel services are fluent in Cree and English.

Transportation to arrival and departure points and to appointments, meals, and accommodations are provided to patients whether they are in Timmins for overnight stays or for day appointments. Those patients who have arrived in Timmins by medevacs are sometimes accommodated at the hostel upon discharge until travel arrangements can be made for their return trip home.