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 The
Hospitals of Northwestern Ontario are committed to providing the residents of
our region with the best that our health system has to offer. In order to do
this, if is sometimes necessary to transfer a patient to another hospital to
receive the required specialized care.
Only a physician can authorize an air transfer. When your physician decides
to send you to another hospital for specialized care, he/she will consult with
a receiving physician and ensure the receiving hospital can provide the anticipated
services. Your physician then determines how you are to be transferred, for
example:
- urgency of transfer type of escort required equipment
- needed
- type of aircraft
This information is called to the Medical Air Transport Centre in Toronto.
The flight planners arrange for the appropriate aircraft and any necessary land
ambulances to and from the airports. Transfers occur on regular commercial airlines,
chartered medivac planes or for trauma/emergency situations the Ministry of
Health aircraft based in Timmins and Sioux Lookout may be used.
When you require an escort, you will be accompanied by either the paramedics
on board the plane or hospital staff.
Ontario residents, insured under Ontario's Health Plan do not have to pay for
medically required inter-hospital transfers within Ontario or to the Province
of Manitoba. If treatment is not available in Ontario, or a delay to await treatment
would compromise your condition, a transfer out of the country (eg: to Duluth,
Minnesota) will be funded by the Ontario Health Plan only if prior approval
has been obtained by your physician with the Ministry of Health.
Contact your local MOH office (claims payment division @ 475-1353) for further
information. Patients not insured by the Ontario Public Health Insurance plan
are responsible for transfer costs.
When you require a nurse escort on your transfer, a family member may also
be allowed on the plane if there is sufficient space for extra passengers. The
pilot gives the final approval based on several factors: size of plane/space
and weight allowed. Patients and medical personnel are a priority over family
passengers. When patients have unstable conditions it is recommended that family
make alternate travel arrangements.
If you require a non-medical escort (eg: when a nurse is not required but your
condition is such you cannot travel safely on your own) your physician can authorize
a family member to accompany you.
Family members are not usually allowed on the Ministry of Health dedicated
aircraft because the patient's condition is considered critical/urgent. Ministry
of Health paramedics escort the patient and space is very limited on this aircraft.
When a family member escorts you as a non-medical escort, or is allowed on
the plane with you and your nurse, the air fare to the receiving hospital is
covered by the Ministry of Health. The return fare is considered a personal
responsibility or if you require an air ambulance home, the same process applies
and they may be allowed to travel with you again. Accommodation, meals, or taxi
fares to and from airports are not covered by the Ministry of Health for family
accompanying.
It is important for you and your family to remember that air transfers are
arranged 1-way only. When you are ready for discharge from the receiving hospital,
the physician there will decide if you need to be readmitted back to your home
hospital or if you can be discharged directly to your home. If discharged home,
you are responsible for transportation costs. For this reason, it is recommended
you travel with a seasonal outfit of clothing, money, or credit card.
The Ministry of Health covers your return transportation if:
- you require readmission to your home hospital for further care.
- your condition requires that you must transfer on a stretcher whether you
are transferred back to hospital or your home.
- you are being discharged home on a Home Care Program.
The Northern
Health Travel Grant Program will reimburse patients who have to pay
for transportation costs when travelling for medical treatment. However, the
amount reimbursed is not based on the cost of your air/bus ticket but rather
on the distance to the nearest specialist who can provide the care you needed.
The travel grant form must be completed and signed by both the referring physician
and receiving physician. Attach any air/bus ticket receipts.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your transfer, please notify
your physician, nurse or the Utilization Management Department.
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