PSA: GNWT updating medical travel administration for residents without other coverage

Sharing on behalf of GNWT

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YELLOWKNIFE (June 8, 2026) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is updating how medical travel benefits are administered for residents who have a valid NWT health care card and do not have medical travel coverage through another program, employer plan, or private insurance.

Beginning September 1, 2026, medical travel benefits for this group will be administered under the Extended Health Benefits program. Coverage and supports will remain the same, but affected residents will need to apply for Extended Health Benefits before they can access medical travel benefits after September 1.

This change is part of the GNWT’s broader effort to modernize medical travel and make the system clearer, more consistent, and easier for both residents and health care providers to understand.

The work is being carried out in two phases.

• Phase 1 focuses on bringing medical travel into a single, unified Extended Health Benefits program and simplifies the rules, so they are clearer, more consistent, and more equitable.

• Phase 2 will build on this foundation by looking at longer-term improvements, including possible changes to benefits and expanded coverage.

Bringing medical travel under Extended Health Benefits will reduce duplication between programs, align how the system is administered, and make it easier to understand who is covered by which program—whether that is GNWT programs, federal programs, employer-sponsored plans, or private insurance.

Applications for the 2026-2027 benefit year will open on June 15. Residents who may be affected are encouraged to apply early to help prevent delays if they are referred for medical travel after September 1.

This change applies only to residents who currently access medical travel through the GNWT Medical Travel Policy because they do not have access to any other medical travel benefit coverage.

Residents are not affected by this change if they receive medical travel benefits through:

• the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits program;

• the Métis Health Benefits program;

• an employer-sponsored benefit plan; or

• private or third-party insurance;

The GNWT will continue to provide information and support to help residents understand whether they need to apply.

Quote

“Medical travel is an important support for residents who need to access care outside their home community. These changes are about making the system clearer and more consistent, while maintaining the same supports for residents who rely on GNWT medical travel benefits. We know any change to health benefits can raise questions, and we are committed to making sure residents have the information they need before these updates take effect.”

• Lesa Semmler, Minister of Health and Social Services

Quick facts

• This change takes effect September 1, 2026.

• It applies to residents with a valid NWT health care card who do not have medical travel coverage through another program, employer plan, or private insurance.

• Coverage and supports for affected residents will remain the same, but they will need to apply for Extended Health Benefits for the 2026-2027 benefit year.

• Applications will open on June 15, and residents are encouraged to apply early to help prevent delays if they are referred for medical travel after September 1.

Related links

• Medical Travel

• Extended Health Benefits

For media requests, please contact:

Andrew Wind

Manager, Communications

Health and Social Services

Government of the Northwest Territories

HSSmedia@gov.nt.ca