The provincial government is injecting an extra $8.2 million into the Medical Transportation Assistance Program.

It says the expanded program now includes 100 per cent coverage for eligible patients who have to travel outside their area for a specialist appointment.

Several other changes were also announced, including an updated vehicle mileage rate, a reduced distance requirement for dialysis patients, and a new online application portal.

Labrador Affairs Minister Lela Evans notes the previous system left many patients on the hook for extra out-of-pocket costs.

“The coverage, I think, was at 55 to 80 per cent. So a lot of times when people submitted their receipts, they weren’t getting all their expenses back,” she said.

“Now, those eligible expenses will be 100 per cent. So the patients will not be having to pay to travel outside the region to access care.”

Health Minister Joedy Wall made the announcement yesterday, bringing the total annual budget for the program to just over $14 million.