If you are eligible for travel assistance, you may be able to claim for kilometers traveled by private car, public transport, accommodation, and specialised transport (such as taxis, mobility taxis, or air travel).
On this page
- Reimbursement
- Services covered
- Application/payment
- Support people
- People groups
- Miscellaneous
- Funding
- Policy changes
- To establish if you or your patients are eligible for travel assistance
Reimbursement
The following reimbursement levels were introduced from April 2009.
| Mileage | 28c per kilometre |
|---|---|
| Accommodation* | Up to $100 per night |
| Public transport | Actual cost |
| Air travel** | Actual cost |
| Taxi** | Actual cost |
* It is preferable that a person uses their DHB preferred accommodation providers. A list of these preferred providers is available from the Sector Operations claims administration team. The policy states ‘in areas where the Ministry of Health or the relevant DHB has arrangements with specific travel providers, clients and their support people are to use these arrangements unless there are clinical or mobility reasons that require alternative arrangements’.
** Your referring specialist must specifically authorise eligibility for air and/or taxi travel.
Why are reimbursement rates set at these levels?
The NTA scheme is in place to provide some financial assistance to people for whom the cost of travel is a barrier to accessing treatment. It is not possible to cover the total cost in all instances due to limited funds.
How is distance measured?
The Ministry of Health has access to an independent distance calculation database that calculates the road distance between the specialist facility and the client’s home.
What trips will I be able to claim travel assistance for?
You can claim assistance for travel under the following circumstances if you meet the eligibility criteria in the policy (ie, distance and frequency criteria).
- If you have a referral from a publicly funded specialist (eg, at your local hospital) for an appointment with another publicly funded specialist service (eg, another hospital) you can claim assistance for travel.
- If a specialist (at any publicly funded facility) says you need to visit them again you will be able to claim assistance.
When can I claim for accommodation, airfares and/or specialised transport?
If you meet the NTA eligibility criteria, and your specialist approves, you may be able to claim for accommodation costs (up to the maximum allowable rates), and specialised transport (such as taxis and air flights).
Accommodation will not generally be approved for travel of less than 100 km one way. However, there may be circumstances where accommodation may be approved for distances less than 100 km. For example, a person’s specialist may recommend they require accommodation because they are too frail and tired to drive home on the same day or are a child who is nauseous following chemotherapy and cannot tolerate a difficult journey home.
The Sector Operations claims administrator will first assess these claims for accommodation and specialised transport, to see if they meet the criteria defined by the NTA policy. If further information is deemed necessary, the claim administrator will contact the client’s DHB point of contact for clarification.
Can I claim air travel?
Yes, providing you must travel more than 350 km one way from treatment, your specialist recommends it, and provides a clinical justification.
Can I claim airport transfers from home to the airport?
No. The NTA policy will cover airport transfers from the airport to treatment, and back, but not from home to the airport. In addition, airport departure taxes, where applicable, will not be covered by the NTA scheme.
Is assistance available for overseas travel?
No, not under the NTA policy. Please contact your DHB to explore other funding options.
Are people who must travel over water eligible for assistance?
Yes, a client who is required to travel over water to access specialist services is eligible for travel assistance. They must meet the usual eligibility criteria, or live in a location that has been designated by their DHB of Domicile as a special area to access assistance.
Where a client meets the frequency or distance criteria, and must travel across water, as a rule ferries should be used.
Services covered
How is the nearest appropriate specialist defined?
The referring specialist will decide which is the nearest appropriate specialist on a case-by-case basis. DHBs will have access to the information necessary to check on referral patterns if they choose.
Does the policy cover travel to specialist mental health services?
Yes, Specialist services for mental health include but are not limited to:
- forensic mental health services
- addiction services – alcohol and drug addiction, rehabilitation and detoxification services.
Can I claim for allied health services?
Only if referred by a specialist as part of a wider course of treatment. For example, a neurologist may refer a stroke patient to a specialist physiotherapist for a course of rehabilitation physiotherapy. Referrals from physiotherapists and GPs will not be accepted unless they have been granted delegated authority by their DHB
Generally speaking, the following allied health services will be provided locally and be readily accessible to the local population:
- occupational therapy
- physiotherapy
- speech-language therapy (for adults)
- audiological
- orthotic
- podiatry, or dental services that are additional and related to the disability. For example, travel for podiatry related to diabetes would not be covered for someone whose disability is deafness.
To be eligible for travel assistance for dental services, the client must fit the usual eligibility criteria of the NTA policy and be referred by a specialist (ie, a paediatrician) or a health professional designated by their DHB to approve the first visit to a specialist dental service. When these requirements are met, travel assistance is available for the following services:
- hospital dental services provided for medically compromised patients (eg, oncology patients, or adults who are assessed as having an intellectual or physical disability)
- hospital dental services provided for children who require a GA for dental care.
Under what circumstances can cosmetic surgery be claimed?
Publicly funded
Persons receiving cosmetic surgery in the public health system will be covered for travel assistance if they fit the usual eligibility criteria of the NTA policy.
Private clinic
Any claim for travel assistance to private cosmetic surgery will be declined unless Sector Operations receives written approval for travel assistance by the claimant’s DHB of domicile or from a publicly funded specialist on DHB letterhead.
Are experimental treatments eligible for travel assistance?
Clinical trials should be interpreted as experimental, and being conducted primarily for research purposes (eg, human trials being undertaken as part of the development of a new drug or therapy). In this situation it is the responsibility of the researcher to fund travel and accommodation for the trial participants.
There are, however, a number of publicly funded treatments (such as paediatric oncology) for which participation in ongoing clinical trials is considered part of routine treatment. Participation in clinical trials such as these is for the purpose of defining and improving standard therapy. Participation in these circumstances usually requires no additional travel above that required for standard treatment. Participation in clinical trials as part of routine care is not considered to be exclusions.
If there is any doubt about the classification of a certain service an independent assessment will be undertaken
Is travel to artificial-limb centres covered?
Travel to artificial-limb centres will only be covered by NTA if the client can provide proof that ACC and Work and Income will not cover the costs of travel. This proof must be provided in writing to Sector Operations claims administrators.
Is travel to conductive education services covered?
Conductive education services that are not funded by the Ministry of Health may have their own travel arrangements, which should take precedence over the NTA Policy.
Clients need to provide proof that they are not able to access other travel arrangements prior to the approval of eligibility under NTA.
Is travel to the Wilson Home covered?
Yes, providing the client meets the normal eligibility criteria.
Can I claim for costs incurred travelling to a cancelled appointment?
The DHB of Domicile will be required to cover costs of travel for changed or cancelled appointments. The client or Sector Operations should, as a rule, book the cheapest airfare available. You may be able to claim for non-refundable fares, non-refundable service or administration fees, mileage costs, associated accommodation costs and/or specialised transport costs if the client was required to use or pay for these in spite of the appointment being cancelled.
The DHB of Service should endeavour to inform the client that their appointment has been changed or cancelled prior to the client travelling.
Note: Sector Operations will only pre-book and pay for travel on behalf of clients if their appointment is confirmed.
Why can’t I claim for travel to my GP?
Most communities have their own GP, so travel distances are not as much of a barrier to access.
Why can’t I claim for travel to a private specialist?
The government funds DHBs to provide treatment at public hospitals. If there are barriers to accessing these services, it is up to the government to address those access issues (either through service placement or travel assistance). Private hospitals, private outpatient clinics, and GPs can set up practice wherever they choose, so it is not the government’s responsibility to fix any access problems their placement might create.
Application/payment
How do I apply for assistance?
First your specialist must complete a registration form for you and forward it to Sector Operations for processing. If you meet the eligibility criteria the registration information will be entered into the Sector Operations payment system. When your eligibility is confirmed you will be able to claim travel assistance for the duration of your course of treatment. Claim forms can be obtain from your DHB travel coordinator, social worker, or by calling the Sector Operations on 0800 855 066 – option 2.
How do I know if I am eligible for NTA?
To determine your eligibility for travel assistance, go to Who’s eligible for travel assistance.
Your DHB travel coordinator, social worker, or Sector Operations can provide further information on eligibility for travel assistance.
Note: Frequency criteria must be met prior to claiming, for example if client meets the high-frequency criteria they must attend the 22 appointments before they can claim reimbursed of costs.
If I am not eligible under the NTA, are there any other options for assistance?
If you have claimed travel assistance from the Ministry of Health or your DHB recently, you may qualify for the NTA transition scheme.
Alternatively, an application for travel assistance can also be made to your DHB (name of a contact person is available by calling 0800 855 066 – option 2), ACC, Work & Income, the Ministry of Transport (Total Mobility), or the Ministry of Education. Discuss your situation with these agencies to find out if you qualify.
Where can I obtain registration and claim forms?
NTA registration, and claim forms are available from the client’s health and disability specialist service, hospital travel coordinators, hospital social workers, or directly from the Ministry of Health/Sector Operations by calling 0800 855 066 – option 2.
NTA registration and claim forms are also available from How to claim travel assistance.
What proof needs to be supplied with an NTA claim?
When you claim travel and accommodation costs you will need to supply the Ministry of Health with:
- proof of treatment
- receipts for expenses you claim (if applicable)
- bank account verification (if applicable)
Does anyone need to sign/approve the claim before I send it in?
Yes. The person attending treatment, or their representative, must sign the claim form before you send it in.
Who will be informed if Sector Operations rejects a registration, or claim form?
The registration will be returned to the client, and the DHB point of contact for their DHB will be notified via email of the rejection.
Registration form
An NTA registration form may be declined for one of two reasons:
- the registration form has not been filled out correctly, or
- the client does not qualify under the NTA eligibility criteria.
Where a registration has not been filled out correctly the registration form will be returned to the client with a letter listing the information required to complete registration.
Where a client does not qualify under the NTA eligibility criteria the registration form will be returned to the client with a letter explaining why they do not qualify and asking them to seek further advice from their DHB. An electronic copy of the rejection letter will also be emailed to the DHB NTA point of contact.
Claim Form
An NTA claim form may be declined for one of two reasons:
- the claim form has not been filled out correctly (assuming the client is already registered for NTA), or
- the client does not have an active registration in the Ministry of Health’s payment system.
Where a claim has not been filled out correctly the claim form will be returned to the client with a letter listing the information required to process the claim.
Where a client is not currently registered for NTA the claim form will be returned to the client with a letter explaining this and referring them to seek further advice from their DHB. An electronic copy of the rejection letter will also be emailed to the DHB NTA point of contact.
How will I receive payment?
The Ministry of Health will make a payment directly into the verified bank account you nominate. Allow up to 4 business days for the money to be in your account from when the claim is processed.
Can I receive payment before I travel?
Not through the Ministry of Health. However, you may be able to receive a pre-payment from your DHB if you cannot afford to prepay and claim reimbursement. Please contact your DHB to discuss options.
Why is there so much paperwork required in order to make a claim?
It is a requirement that people seeking to claim for travel assistance are registered with each hospital at which they are receiving treatment, regardless of whether they are under the care of the same hospital specialist.
This is important because eligibility is based on travel distance, people may be eligible for assistance to visit one facility, but not another. Only the information necessary to process your registration or claim form is collected.
Support people
Can a support person travel with me?
Eligibility for a support person is dependent on the client’s eligibility for travel assistance. If the referring specialist recommends a support person, it will be granted or denied based on the following criteria:
- A support person will always be approved for a child under 18
- A support person will always be approved for an adult when the support person is required to:
- make clinical decisions (ie, whether to operate), or
- learn technical skills for ongoing care (ie, dialysis).
- A support person may be approved for an adult when the support person is required for:
- client well being
- assistance with accessing services
- providing emotional/physical support
- escorting the client for reasons of clinical care provision while travelling
- assistance with clinical decision making.
If approved by the specialist, a support person can claim for the same expenses as the client.
Additional funding for a second support person may be approved when:
- A second support person is required to:
- make clinical decisions, or
- learn technical skills for ongoing care (ie, dialysis)
- A child client is in a critical condition, or
- A second support person is required to be present to make a decision about whether to proceed with surgery.
A letter signed by the specialist that explains why it is necessary to have two support people present will be required prior to the approval of a second support person.
The support person should travel, and stay in accommodation with the client whenever possible. When the client and the support person travel together by private motor vehicle, only one payment for transport can be claimed.
When a client is transferred as an inpatient and the support person has to travel separately from the client, the support person can claim travel costs covering the distance between the specialist facility and the home of the client if the client is eligible. See appendix 5 for further information.
What travel and accommodation can I, or my supporter claim?
The following standard accommodation entitlements are available under the NTA scheme:
Client
- Client is an outpatient: Two night’s accommodation and one return trip for each outpatient episode. The client’s usual place of residence must be 100 km or more (one way) from the treatment facility to qualify for accommodation.
First support person
- Client is an adult inpatient: two return trips per week and/or accommodation for first 14 days of inpatient stay, then one return trip and/or two nights accommodation per week for the period of the inpatient stay. The client’s usual place of residence must be 100 km or more (one way) from the treatment facility to qualify for accommodation.
- Client is a child inpatient: two return trips per week and/or accommodation costs for the first 14 days of the child’s inpatient stay, thereafter, accommodation costs and/or one return trip home per week for the remainder of the child’s inpatient stay. The child’s usual place of residence must be 100 km or more (one way) from the treatment facility to qualify for accommodation.
Second supporter
- Client is an inpatient: two return trips per week and/or accommodation for first 14 days of inpatient stay, then one return trip and two nights accommodation per week for the period of the inpatient stay. (Can be invoiced over and above client/first supporter costs if there are additional costs.) The client’s usual place of residence must be 100 km or more (one way) from the treatment facility to qualify for accommodation.
- Client is an outpatient: Two night’s accommodation and one return trip for each outpatient episode. (Can be invoiced over and above client/first supporter costs if there are additional costs.) The client’s usual place of residence must be 100 km or more (one way) from the treatment facility to qualify for accommodation.
Approval for travel assistance for second supporters will be based on clinical justification and the criteria in section 4.4.5 of the policy.
Note: Approval for additional travel assistance for a first and/or second support person beyond the entitlements listed may be met on a case-by-case basis for clinical reasons only. The specialist must make an application for additional assistance to Sector Operations in writing stating the clinical justification.
Can my support person travel to visit me while I am staying close to the hospital?
Yes, under the following circumstances:
- Accommodation assistance: If the client is eligible for support person costs (see section 4.4.1 of the NTA Policy), the long stay client and supporter should stay in the same accommodation if possible. For example, when it is double accommodation.
- Transport Assistance: If the client is eligible for support person’s costs, transport assistance (mileage, public transport, air travel) is covered for a supporter but only when the supporter is travelling with the client.
If the eligible supporter is not able to stay with the client for the length of the long stay, then travel costs for a supporter travelling alone will be covered for clinical reasons only. For example, the client has a specialist appointment and joint decision-making is required, or the supporter is required to learn a new skill to care for the client at home. In such cases, a return trip will be covered for the supporter. Transport assistance for a supporter when he or she is not travelling with the client, must be made, in writing, by the Specialist to Sector Operations stating the clinical reason.
Note: a child is always eligible to claim the costs of a supporter for the length of the long stay near hospital.
Does the policy cover volunteer drivers’ costs?
If you are eligible for NTA assistance and use a volunteer driver, it is up to you to reimburse the driver’s costs. You can do this by entering their bank account details on your claim form or by reimbursing them personally and then submitting a claim for mileage to Sector Operations.
People groups
Are neonates eligible for assistance?
Yes. Neonates, inpatients, and outpatients who meet the following definition of a neonate are able to access expanded assistance under the neonate criteria:
‘An infant up to the later of 28 days old or up to and including discharge from hospital.’
This will mean that a mix of inpatient and outpatient appointments may be covered under the neonate criteria. See Appendix 1 for further clarification on neonate eligibility and entitlements.
Are mothers referred in-utero eligible for assistance?
Yes, Mothers who are referred in-utero are eligible for travel assistance under the NTA policy providing the Mother meets the eligibility criteria.
My disabled child is no longer eligible for travel assistance and/or the meal allowance because the 4 km or more eligibility category is gone. Why did this happen and where can I get travel assistance now?
Prior to 1 January 2006 there were 4 regional travel and accommodation policies that operated according to different rules. This meant that children were required to meet different eligibility criteria depending on where they lived, and received different levels of reimbursement.
Children in the some regions, but not others, were able to claim travel assistance for trips as short as 4 km to attend specialist services. With the introduction of the NTA policy all children, including those with a recognised disability, will receive the same level of assistance regardless of their location.
If you fit the transition scheme criteria (See section 3.3) you can claim under the transitional NTA scheme. In addition, you can also apply to Work and Income, the Ministry of Transport (Total Mobility), or the Ministry of Education for travel assistance. Discuss your situation with these agencies to find out if you qualify.
Are people in aged related residential care facilities eligible for assistance?
People who live in aged residential care may be eligible to claim under the NTA policy if they qualify under the NTA eligibility criteria, and travel to specialist health and disability services is not specifically covered by the facilities Age Related Residential Care (ARRC) agreement with their DHB.
Are prison inmates eligibly for travel assistance?
No. When prisoners require health services outside the prison, the correctional facility is responsible for arranging transport and, where necessary, an escort.
Are organ donors eligible for assistance?
Yes. Live organ donors (bone marrow, kidney and liver) can be provided with assistance at the usual reimbursement rates without meeting any other eligibility criteria. Organ donors will be eligible to claim for costs incurred providing these coincide with periods of care for the organ recipient. Organ recipients must qualify under the usual NTA policy criteria in order to claim travel expenses.
Are organ donors from overseas eligible for assistance?
Yes. Based on the organ recipient’s eligibility for travel assistance, they will be able to claim for costs incurred in New Zealand providing these coincide with periods of care for the organ recipient.
For the avoidance of doubt: the NTA scheme will not cover the costs of travel to and from New Zealand.
Does the NTA cover the return of deceased clients?
The return of the deceased is covered providing the deceased client is registered for travel assistance at the time of death. Return of the deceased can be claimed in two ways.
- The funeral home/transportation provider invoices the Ministry NTA claims administration team directly for the costs of return.
- The family prepays the funeral home/transportation provider the cost, and submits a claim for reimbursement from the Ministry NTA claims administration team.
Travel will be covered from the place of death to their home (or a funeral home), or ancestral home in the case of Māori who are living outside their iwi. The deceased client can have been either an inpatient or outpatient.
Note: Retrospective registrations to cover the return of a diseased client will not be accepted.
Why doesn’t everyone receive assistance?
Every dollar spent on travel and accommodation assistance is a dollar not spent on other health and disability services. There is limited health funding available, so it needs to be targeted to areas with the greatest need.
Miscellaneous
Can I claim travel assistance to return home if I require specialist care while on holiday?
No. The NTA policy treats holiday-makers as being resident in the location of their holiday accommodation (ie, providing assistance to return to that holiday location if eligible). The client’s usual DHB of domicile will meet any of these costs.
It is assumed that people who are on holiday will have taken into account the possibility that something may go wrong while they are away (eg, through purchasing travel insurance) and will have to return home at their own expense regardless of whether they access specialist services while away or not.
For example: if a child who lives in Wellington breaks a leg on a skiing trip to Queenstown and is transferred to Dunedin Hospital, he or she would be eligible for travel assistance to return to Queenstown because it is more than 80 km from Dunedin Hospital. The child would not be eligible for travel assistance to return to Wellington.
Can I claim costs for emergency ambulance transport?
No. Emergency ambulance transport is not covered under the NTA policy.
However, ambulance travel to return home (for example for a person who is unable to sit for long periods of time) is considered specialised transport if recommended by the referring specialist, and is covered under the NTA policy.
Is weekend leave for inpatients covered under the NTA?
Weekend leave for inpatient clients is not catered for in the NTA policy; however, weekend leave will be covered in the following circumstances.
- The client travels with the supporter.
- Additional funding above what would be required for a supporter visit will not be funded.
For example private vehicle mileage will be covered since there is no additional cost associated with transporting the client, but air travel would not be covered since there would be an additional cost associated with transporting the client.
Are long stays near hospital covered by the NTA scheme?
Yes, long stays near hospital of more than 14 days are covered providing your specialist notifies Sector Operations in writing that this is required, and provides a clinical justification. Any request for long-term stay near the hospital must meet the following criteria:
- Long stays near hospital will generally only be approved where the person requiring long stay lives 100km or more (one way) from the treatment facility. All referrals for long stays near hospital must be provided in writing to Sector Operations by the treating specialist and must have a clinical justification, and estimated length of stay.
- If an estimated length of stay is not provided the eligibility for long stay will expire after 14 days, at which time a new application must be submitted to Sector Operations confirming further eligibility.
For the period of the long stay near hospital the client will be entitled to one return trip per month home to visit family and friends. There does not need to be a clinical justification for this return trip.
Note: All long stays near hospital will be reviewed after 3 months to ensure they are still required.
Funding
Who funds NTA?
The DHB of Domicile (DoD) where the client usually resides is responsible for the funding of NTA claims for their resident population. The DoD is identified using the claimant’s home address as supplied on the NTA registration form.
How is the DHB of domicile defined?
The DHB of domicile is generally defined by the usual residential address of the client, with the following exceptions/special cases:
Holiday-makers: Holiday-makers are considered to be resident in their DHB of domicile for funding purposes. However, for the purposes of NTA, travel will be funded to and from the holiday location to the nearest appropriate treatment facility.
Travel from the holiday location to the client’s usual place of residence will not be covered under NTA as it is assumed the client would need to arrange to return home as part of their holiday plans.
University students: University students during term time are considered to be resident at their term address.
Neonates: Neonates referred in-utero, or who are born outside their parent’s DHB region, are considered to be resident at their parent’s usual address, and by extension in their parent’s DHB of domicile, regardless of where they may be born.
Children at boarding school: Children under 18 years old who are attending primary or secondary boarding schools are considered to be resident at their parent’s usual address regardless of where the boarding school may be located, and by extension in their parent’s DHB of domicile.
Children in shared custody: Children living with two parents/guardians are considered to be resident at the address they spend most time. If they spend equal time with each parent they are considered resident where the first episode of care takes place.
Claimants who move DHBs: Claimants who move from one DHB to another are immediately considered to be resident in the new DHB of domicile.
People with no fixed abode: People with no fixed abode are considered to be resident in the DHB of Service (DoS), whether the person normally resides in the DoS or not.
Any situations outside of those defined here will be governed by the Inter District Flow (IDF) rules.
What information is available on NTA?
The NTA policy is available at the National Travel Assistance Scheme.
When is ACC responsible for travel costs?
If your condition is the result of an accident, the responsibility for funding your care is split between your DHB and ACC as follows:
| Period of care | Who pays |
|---|---|
| First 24 hours after accident | ACC pays |
| From after first 24 hours until discharge/end of ‘acute’ phase
|
DHB pays* |
| First 6 weeks after discharge | DHB pays* |
| From 6 weeks after discharge | ACC pays |
* Assuming the client is eligible to claim under the NTA policy.
If you have any questions regarding this policy please contact ACC and/or your DHB to discuss options.
Why do ACC and DHB travel assistance policies differ?
ACC and DHB’s travel assistance policies differ because the organisations have different reasons for providing assistance. DHBs provide assistance because they recognise that travel can be a barrier to accessing treatment for some people and they have an obligation to reduce inequalities in access to services. ACC provides cover for personal injury through accident compensation because people cannot usually sue for personal injury (under the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, 2001).
Policy changes
What is the purpose of the new policy?
Prior to 1 January 2006 there were 4 different travel and accommodation policies around the country. The inconsistencies between these policies and their administration led to confusion and inequalities in access. In order to remove these inconsistencies, the Ministry of Health and district health boards are implemented a nationally consistent National Travel Assistance policy.
District health boards and the Ministry of Health have identified that the cost of travel is a barrier to accessing specialist treatment for some people. To help people with travel costs they have created the NTA scheme, under which people can claim some reimbursement for their expenses. The scheme is targeted at those with the greatest need, who are required to travel long distances, frequently, are under the age of 18, or who do not have the financial resources to cover their travel costs.
What does NTA cover?
NTA provides targeted financial assistance towards the costs of accessing publicly funded specialist health and disability services. This may include a per kilometre rate for private vehicle mileage, costs of public transport and some assistance with accommodation costs.
What are the main changes in the new policy?
The following is a guide only. Due the unknown regional variations it is difficult to identify all eligibility changes. The main changes are listed below.
- People can now claim as a child if they are under 18 years old. Under previous policies people could only claim as a child if they were under 16.
- Children with a CSC will qualify under less stringent distance criteria.
- People who travel more than 350 km away from their homes will be eligible for assistance regardless of how often they travel, even if they do not have a CSC.
- People who have to visit specialist services more than 22 or more times in 2 months will be eligible for assistance regardless of how far they have to travel, even if they do not have a CSC.
- Meals are no longer covered.
What are the main changes to eligibility criteria covered in the new policy by region?
The following is a guide only. Due to the sheer number of regional variations, it has been difficult to ascertain all eligibility changes. From 1 January 2006, regional variation gives way to national consistency.
Northern region
Current criteria
- Adults: 6 visits in 12 months and 80 km one way and CSC holder.
- Children (under 16): 6 visits in 12 months and 80 km.
Major changes
- Mileage is reimbursed based on the full distance between home and service.
- Adults with a CSC who travel 80 km or more making less than 6 visits in 6 months will qualify.
- Adults without a CSC making frequent visits may qualify.
- Children 80 km or more from treatment making less than 6 visits will qualify.
- Children with a CSC or frequent visits less than 80 km from treatment will qualify.
- Young people aged 16 and 17 qualify as children providing them with extra support.
- Children under 16 with disabilities needing to travel 4 km will no longer qualify.
- Meal reimbursement is no longer available.
- Special dialysis mileage rates are no longer available.
Midland region
Current criteria
- Adults: 80 km one way and a CSC holder.
- Children: under 16 and 80 km one way.
Major changes
- Mileage is reimbursed based on the full distance between home and service.
- Adults without a CSC now qualify under the frequency and distance criteria.
- Children travelling less than 80 km one way now qualify.
- Regional boundaries are irrelevant. Previously the Ministry of Health funded out-of-region travel and the Midland DHBs funded inter-region travel.
- Young people aged 16 and 17 now qualify as children.
- Reimbursement for parking is no longer available.
Central region
Current criteria
- Adults 25 km and 6 times in 12 months.
- Adults with a CSC and 50 km (inter-DHB) one way.
- Children under 16 and 50 km (inter-DHB) one way.
- Children under 16 with disabilities travelling 4 km one way.
- Pregnant women or mothers of newborns travelling to obstetric or birthing services 50 km (inter-DHB) one way.
Major changes
- Mileage is reimbursed based on the full distance between home and service.
- Some accommodation rates will change.
- DHB geographical boundaries are irrelevant.
- Adults who live 350 km away (one way) will qualify even if they do not hold a CSC.
- Young people aged 16 and 17 qualify as children providing them with extra support.
- Children under 16 with disabilities and travelling 4 km will no longer qualify.
- Meal reimbursement is no longer available.
- Some mileage rates will change.
- Pregnant women and mothers of newborns will no longer qualify for visit to specialists for routine maternity checks unless the specialist has particular concerns about the pregnancy.
- Adults with a CSC and travelling 50–80 km one way will no longer qualify.
- Adults who make frequent visits (6 or more) and who travel 25–50 km one way will no longer qualify.
- Children under 16, without a CSC and travelling 50–80 km will no longer qualify.
Southern region
Current criteria
- Adults who drive at least 5 hours.
- Adults with a CSC and who drive at least 90 minutes.
- Adults with a CSC or High User Health Card (HUHC) and who drive at least 10 km one way and at least 6 times in 3 months.
- Adults with CSC or HUHC and who stay at least 21 days as an inpatient.
- Children under 16 and who drive at least 90 minutes.
- Children under 16 and who drive at least 10 km one way and at least 6 times in 3 months.
- Children under 16 and 21 days as an inpatient.
Major changes
- Mileage is reimbursed based on the full distance between home and service.
- Accommodation reimbursement rate in Auckland and Wellington increases.
- Airfares can be paid on specialist referral.
- Support person’s accommodation allowance is not as generous as under the previous policy.
- All trips are covered, not just the ones after the sixth visit.
- Eligibility is assessed against distance travelled, rather than the travelling time.
- Young people aged 16 and 17 qualify as children providing them with extra support.
- Those who make frequent visits or have a CSC are targeted.
- The CSC child category is new.
- Children under 16 with disabilities and travelling 4 km will no longer qualify.
- Meal reimbursement is no longer available.
- HUHC is no longer an eligibility category – most of these patients will be picked up under the frequency categories.
- People who visit 3 times or more and who travel between 10–50 km one way will no longer qualify. A number of these people will qualify under the frequency or long distance criteria.
- The eligibility category of 21 day as an inpatient and travel more than 10 km one way is no longer available.
- Children who have frequent visits and who travel between 10–25 km one way no longer qualify.
What are the main changes to costs covered in the new policy?
The primary aim of the policy review was to improve national consistency and ease inequalities of access. As a result, the policy review’s emphasis was not on improving reimbursement rates. It is important to remember that the reimbursement rates, in most instances, are not expected to cover the full cost of travel, and/or accommodation. It is acknowledged that the 20 cent per kilometer mileage reimbursement rate may not cover the full cost of travelling by car, but it will cover petrol costs for most vehicles.
Accommodation rates have increased to $80.00 and $100 per night in Wellington and Auckland respectively, with a rate of $75 per night outside these centres.
Can I apply for assistance under special circumstances?
Sector Operations will no longer consider special circumstance claims from 1 January 2006. If a special circumstances request is made in December 2005 for a first appointment after 31 December 2005, the referral will be referred back to the client’s DHB NTA point of contact. A DHB NTA contacts database is available to the Sector Operations NTA claims administrators for this purpose.
To establish if you or your patients are eligible for travel assistance
We have developed an online National Travel Assistance eligibility tool to enable you to work through a set of questions and, based on your answers, establish if you may be eligible for National Travel Assistance.
Please note: you should not rely solely on the answers provided here; the contracts applicable to each provider and all relevant legislation must be consulted to determine the full rights & liabilities applicable to any service provider or funder.