TRAVEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP BC)
The Travel Assistance Program (TAP) helps alleviate some of the transportation costs for eligible B.C. residents who must travel within the province for non-emergency medical specialist services not available in their own community.
Please be aware that a scam has recently been reported targeting TAP callers. The correct TAP phone number is 1-800-661-2668. Scammers have created a similar number beginning with “1-888,” which presents an automated voice message stating that the number for TAP has changed and offers to connect to the new number for a $3 transfer fee. This is a scam. The correct number continues to be 1-800-661-2668 and remains toll-free. Please be vigilant and protect yourself against potential threats while accessing TAP services.
TAP is a corporate partnership between the Ministry of Health and private transportation carriers.
The program is coordinated by the Ministry of Health and the transportation partners who agree to waive or discount their regular fees.
ELIGIBLE SERVICES
Eligible Medical Specialist Services include:
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Non-emergency medical specialist services available at the closest location outside the patient's community; and
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Diagnostic procedures, laboratory procedures, diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine procedures, BC Cancer Agency, Transplant Units, HIV/AIDS treatment at St. Paul's Hospital, specialty clinics at BC Children's Hospital, and other tertiary care hospital services.
The following services are not eligible for TAP:
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Patient transfer from one facility to another;
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GP to GP referrals;
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Supplementary benefit practitioner services (e.g., acupuncture, optometry, physical therapy, massage therapy, podiatry, non-hospital-based dentistry, naturopathy, and chiropractic services); and
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Non-insured services (e.g., cosmetic surgery, experimental procedures, clinical drug trials, and preventive medicine).
Health care services provided by practitioners other than medical physicians (e.g., acupuncture, psychology, optometry, physiotherapy, massage therapy, podiatry, non-hospital-based dentistry, naturopathy, and chiropractic) and services not insured by MSP (e.g., experimental procedures, drug trials, or cosmetic surgery) are not eligible for TAP.
TAP does not provide direct financial assistance to patients for travel costs or make travel arrangements for patients. Meals, accommodation, mileage, fuel, and local transportation expenses are not included in TAP and are the responsibility of the patient.
There is no reimbursement for travel already taken.
ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS
To be eligible for TAP as a patient:
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You must be a B.C. resident and enrolled in the Medical Services Plan (MSP);
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You must have a referral from a physician or nurse practitioner for MSP-insured specialist medical services not available locally;
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Your travel expenses must not be covered by third-party insurance, such as an employer plan, extended medical plan, Insurance Corporation of BC, WorkSafeBC, or a federal government program (e.g., Veterans Affairs).
The referral must be to the closest location for non-emergency medical specialist services not available in your community. TAP forms are only available from your referring physician or nurse practitioner at the time the referral is made.
A referral cannot be made from a general practitioner or nurse practitioner to another general practitioner. Referrals for services not insured by MSP, or services being paid for privately by the patient, are not a benefit under TAP.
An escort is eligible for TAP only when accompanying a patient who is:
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18 years of age and under; or
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Incapable of travelling independently for medical reasons.
An escort is not eligible for TAP when driving a vehicle on behalf of a patient who does not qualify under (1) or (2) above or when travelling alone to pick up a patient.
Your physician or nurse practitioner must indicate on the TAP form that an escort is required for one of the two reasons cited above.
Please note that transportation partners have the right to refuse an incomplete or altered TAP form. If your specialist appointment has been rescheduled and you are now travelling on a different date than what appears on the TAP form, please advise your transportation carrier accordingly.
FIRST NATIONS RESIDENTS
If you are a First Nations resident travelling for non-emergency medical specialist services, you may be eligible for benefits through the First Nations Health Authority.
Specific information regarding medical travel benefits can be found by visiting their website.
First Nations Health Authority
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR PROVIDERS
Learn about the role of the health care provider in facilitating patient access to TAP and find out how to order and complete TAP forms for your patients.
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