THE NATIONAL TRAVEL ASSISTANCE POLICY
On 1 January 2006, the Ministry of Health (MoH) released the National Travel Assistance Policy which replaced all four existing regional travel and accommodation assistance or transport and accommodation assistance policies that were active at that time.
The National Travel Assistance policy provides some financial assistance towards expenses associated with travel that may construct a barrier to accessing the specialist healthcare required.
The National Travel Assistance policy is targeted at those people who:
* Have to travel long distances to access specialist health or disability services
* Incur high travel costs as a result of frequent visits to specialist health and disability services
* Have significant financial need that might otherwise prevent them from accessing necessary specialist health or disability services
You can read this policy document on line at:
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/238fd5fb4fd051844c256669006aed57/01665f03b5a4ede2cc257059000b41c8?OpenDocument
Your Guide for Claiming Travel Assistance
The National Travel Assistance Scheme helps people financially who are referred by their specialist to see another specialist, and need to travel long distances or travel frequently.
The specialists must both be part of a government-funded health and disability service, for example, a renal dialysis centre or a specialist disability service.
What does travel assistance mean for me?
When your publicly funded specialist (not a GP) has referred you onto another publicly funded specialist you may be eligible to receive travel assistance under this scheme.
If eligible, you will receive assistance towards your travel and possibly your accommodation costs. Your specialist will need to approve accommodation and specialised transport needs, this includes taxi, mobility taxi, or air travel.
Travel by private vehicle or public transport is assessed on registration.
On a case by case basis in Wairoa, your GP has the delegated authority, to refer you to a publicly funded specialist at Hastings Hospital, which means you may still be eligible for Travel Assistance, Accommodation and the cost of a support person.
The Hawkes Bay District Health Board (HBDHB), have a fee free shuttle available for patients who have appointments with a Specialist based at Hastings Hospital or with any other health service based at Hastings Hospital. The Wairoa shuttle, leaves Wairoa Hospital for Hastings Hospital each day at 8am, and leaves Hastings Hospital for Wairoa Hospital each day at 3pm. If you require this service, it is advisable that you make contact with the Wairoa Hospital reception on 838 7099, to check the availability of space on the shuttle, and to book a place on the shuttle. If for any reason you are unable to use this service, please make contact with Colleen Elmes the National Travel Coordinator, Hastings Hospital, on 06 878 1696, about assistance for the use of a private motor vehicle to attend your appointment.
National Travel Assistance Scheme Brochure
The following link provides a copy of an information brochure titled The National Travel Assistance Scheme: Your Guide for Claiming Travel Assistance, produced by the MoH, which sets out the details of the National Travel Assistance Scheme. The details inside this brochure include:
* The aim of the National Travel Assistance Scheme (NTAS)
* What does travel assistance mean for me?
* When can I claim for assistance with travel costs?
* Can I claim for accommodation?
* Can I claim for the costs of a support person?
* How do I claim?
* Ministry of Health contact details.
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/3656/$File/national-travel-assistance-scheme-brochure-apr07.pdf
How do I claim for travel assistance?
The following two links provide copies of:
1. The registration form needed to correctly register your details on the NTAS database.
2. The claim form needed to reimburse your travel, accommodation and support person payment, if applicable.
1. http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/3644/$File/nta-registrationform-may2007.pdf
2. http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/3644/$File/nta-claimform-apr2007.pdf
Before you can claim, you need to be registered. For registration or claim assistance, or if you are still not sure about the processes, please make contact with the Hawkes Bay Travel Assistance Coordinator, on the details below:
Colleen Elmes
Outpatient Transport Coordinator H.B.D.H.B
Phone: 06 878 1696
Hastings Hospital
More information about claiming travel assistance
For more information about claiming travel assistance please contact:
o a Hospital Travel Coordinator
o a Hospital social worker; or
o the Ministry of Health
National Travel Assistance
PO Box 1026
Wellington
o 0800 281 222 (press 2). Hours are 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with the exception of Wednesday 9.30am - 5pm
Second and consecutive health appointments at Hastings Hospital
For second and consecutive health appointments at Hastings Hospital, the National Travel Assistance Scheme (NTAS) is able to assist patients with travel, accommodation and support person payments. You will find details of this Policy and Scheme by following the links below:
1. NTAS Policy Document:
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/238fd5fb4fd051844c256669006aed57/01665f03b5a4ede2cc257059000b41c8?OpenDocument
2. NTAS Brochure:
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/3656/$File/national-travel-assistance-scheme-brochure-apr07.pdf
Should you require further information, clarification or help with second and consecutive health appointments at Hastings Hospital, we suggest that you make contact with the Travel Coordinator from the HBDHB, details as follows:
Colleen Elmes
Outpatient Travel Coordinator HBDHB
06 878 1696
Hastings Hospital
For all or any other inquires about the Wairoa PHO's travel voucher scheme, please make contact with us, on the details listed on the Home page of our website.
1Anyone enrolled with a General Practice in Wairoa.
2For a list of the General Practices in Wairoa please refer to the PHO's Home page and category Our Doctors.
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