The provincial government has announced what they are calling several “improvements” to its Medical Transportation Assistance Program.

For residents in the Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone, a new 85 per cent flight assistance rate has been introduced for those travelling both in and out of province with airfare costs exceeding $8,000 in a 12 month period.

For those on the island, increased assistance has been introduced to help cover the cost of flights for specialized insured medical services out of province.

The new coverage includes $1,000 toward the cost of the first eligible flight, 75 per cent for additional airfare costs between $1,000 and $8,000, and 85 per cent for costs greater than $8,000 incurred over the course of a year.

Other changes to the medical transportation program include an increase in the claimable per diem rate for purchased accommodations (to $150 per night in-province and $175 per night out of province,) and an increase in the private vehicle milage rate (from 20 cents to 25 cents per kilometre for patients who drive more than 4,000 kilometres during a 12-month period.)

All changes are retroactive to December 1.