Revised June 24, 2009
How Do I Get to My Treatment?
Sometimes you might not feel well enough to drive to your cancer-related treatment appointments, and your friends and family may not be available. Here are some options on how to get to your appointments and information on coverage for transportation costs.
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Volunteer Drivers
Canadian Cancer Society provides volunteer drivers for people receiving treatment or attending medical appointments, a minimum of 24 hours notice is required. Contact your local Canadian Cancer Society office or toll free 1.888.939.3333
Freemasons Cancer Care Program provides free transportation for patients in outlying areas. Contact your local Canadian Cancer Society for more information.
Community volunteer groups may also provide drivers.
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Bus Passes
Passes are available for seniors receiving Guaranteed Income Supplement, or may be available to people with disabilities receiving Income Assistance.
Clients must call the office to apply. An application will be sent if applicant is eligible.
Bus passes cost $45 for the year beginning in January. The cost is the same, no matter how many months have passed.
Contact Ministry of Employment & Income Assistance
Toll free 1.866.866.0800 (press 4, then 3)
www.eia.gov.bc.ca/programs/other.htm#bp
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Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority - Translink
If you are a resident of Greater Vancouver and have palliative care needs, you may qualify for one of several public transit assistance programs.
For more information, phone Translink 604.453.4634
www.translink.bc.ca
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Travel Assistance Program (TAP)
This program through the Ministry of Health offers travel discounts to eligible BC residents who must travel for non-emergency medical service not available in their own community and whose travel expenses are not covered by third party insurance or other government programs.
To be eligible, you must be a BC resident and enrolled in the MSP; you must have a physician’s referral for medical services that are not available locally, escorts are also eligible if traveling with those incapable of independent travel.
TAP forms are available from your family doctor, specialist’s office, or a cancer centre.
Phone toll free 1.800.661.2668
Victoria 250.952.1587
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/tapbc/tap_patient.html
Program benefits may include:
- Harbour Air: 30% discount off regular economy fares on air fares.
- Central Mountain Air: Regular fare discounted and some flight restrictions waived.
- VIA Rail: 30% discount.
- BC Ferries: 100% discount for patient, vehicle and escort, when required.
- Pacific Coach Lines: Deducts the ferry fare from the ticket price on travel between Victoria and Vancouver. Also provides free bus transportation for cancer patients requiring care at the Vancouver Cancer Centre.
- Malaspina Coach Lines: Deducts the ferry fare from the ticket price on travel from Powell River and Vancouver.
- Angel Flight: Provides free air transport for cancer patients who, due to their medical condition, cannot travel by conventional means – to and from points on Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland.
- HawkAir: Special medical fares are special fares that do not require advance booking, allow change of travel dates without change fee, are refundable, and can be booked for an open return.
- Helijet: 30% discount on full economy fare for flight between Victoria and Vancouver Harbour or Vancouver Airport.
- North Pacific Seaplanes: 30% discount on air travel in Prince Rupert/Queen Charlotte area.
- Pacific Coastal Airlines: Special medical fares can be purchased any time prior to scheduled flight. Fully refundable, no change or cancellation fees. Flights to/from Vancouver, Anahim Lake, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Campbell River, Comox, Cranbrook, Klemtu, Masset, Port Hardy, Powell River, Terrace, Trail, Victoria, Williams Lake.
- Hope Air: This national charity helps Canadians get to medical treatment when they cannot afford flight costs. Many airlines donate seats and hundreds of Volunteer Pilots contribute their time and aircraft. This is not an air ambulance service.
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Other Sources of Help for Travel
Individuals (and spouses if required as medical escort) may be eligible for assistance with treatment travel costs through their private extended health benefit plans.
If finances are a concern, you may apply to the Canadian Cancer Society, Financial Support Program. The application is availabe online at www.cancer.ca/bc or call the Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333. If you are eligible, you may receive financial help for your mileage costs for treatment if you live out of town.
People receiving income assistance through the Ministry of Employment & Income Assistance may apply for a Specialized Transportation Subsidy through their worker. This will enable clients to access transportation costs in lieu of the use of a bus pass.
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Car Expenses
Car Insurance Discounts
People who are the registered vehicle owner (or if you lease the vehicle), have a permanent disability and are considered handicapped under the Motor Fuel Tax Act, may be eligible for a 25% discount on basic Autoplan coverage.
Applicant must have a Motor Fuel Tax claim number when applying for insurance discount.
Fuel Tax Rebate for Persons with Disabilities - Ministry of Small Business & Revenue
Must own or lease a motor vehicle.
You may apply if you are a person who has been certified by a qualified medical practitioner as experiencing a permanent impairment of locomotion to such an extent that the use of public transportation would be hazardous.
Limit of $400 per year could be claimed.
Contact the Consumer Taxation Branch of the Ministry of Small Business & Revenue:
Vancouver 604.660.4524
Toll free 1.877.388.4440
www.rev.gov.bc.ca/ctb
Call for eligibility criteria and request for application Form XE-8.
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Parking Permits for People with Disabilities
Handicap parking signs allowing people with disabilities to use designated accessible parking spaces are available.
Application must be filled out and signed by a physician.
Permits are available to people with permanent or temporary disabilities that impair mobility, visitors with mobility impairments, and organizations that provide transportation to persons with mobility impairments.
Cost for permit: $15 for temporary, permanent or organization permits. Visitor permits are $25. A refund of $10 is issued upon return of permit.
Permits are available through:
Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC BC)
Phone 604.718.7744
www.sparc.bc.ca
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