Medical Travel - Medevac

Medevac is an emergency air ambulance service that flies patients from their home communities to the nearest hospital that offers the treatment they need.

Medevacs are only arranged when there is an immediate and urgent need to get the client to the closest facility where treatment can be offered.

The client and his or her family will have enough time, usually at least one hour or more, to prepare necessary items for the client to take along on the trip (photo identification is very important).

Sometimes it is not possible for an approved escort to accompany the client on the medevac plane due to the kind of illness or the setup of the medevac flight.

The medevac paramedics determine whether or not an approved escort can travel on the flight with the patient. When escorts cannot travel on the medevac flight, the escort will be sent on the next available scheduled flight.

Airfare with Nunavut Health Care Plan

If you are eligible, the Nunavut Health Care Plan will cover the cost of the medevac service, less the $125 deductible, one-way, for Nunavut residents enrolled in the Nunavut Health Care Plan.

You will receive an invoice in the mail with instructions on how to pay the $125 airfare fee. You will be charged an additional $125 fee for the return airfare to your community.

A return trip will cost $250 for airfare. The Non Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program and the Extended Health Benefits (EHB) program may help you for your airfare.

Click here for more information on NIHB.

Click here for more information on EHB.

Airfare without the Nunavut Health Care Plan

The Department of Health and Social Services will organize medical travel for people needing emergency medevac travel to a health centre or southern hospital.

People who do NOT have a Nunavut Health Care Card are responsible for arranging and paying for return airfare from the place of treatment.

If you are not enrolled in the Nunavut Health Care Plan or if you are a visitor to Nunavut, you will be billed for the full cost of the medevac flight, which can cost up to $40,000 depending on your location, the location of the nearest medevac plane and the location of the nearest centre where treatment is available.

Once travel is complete, the Department of Health and Social Services will send you an invoice with instructions on how to pay for the medevac flight.

The Department of Health and Social Services suggests that you buy travel insurance before visiting Nunavut. Health care in Nunavut can be very expensive. Be prepared for emergencies.

Accommodations and Meals

Accommodations and meals for people on medevac are not covered by the Nunavut Health Care Plan.

Accommodations and meals may be covered for Nunavummiut enrolled in the Non Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program, Extended Health Benefits (EHB) program or employer insurance programs.

Click here for information on the Nunavut Health Care Plan.

Click here for more information on NIHB.

Click here for more information on EHB.

Sometimes it is not possible for an approved escort to accompany the client on the medevac plane due to the kind of illness or the setup of the medevac flight.

The medevac paramedics determine whether or not an approved escort can travel on the flight with the patient. When escorts cannot travel on the medevac flight, the escort will be sent on the next available scheduled flight.

Escorts should pack clothing, prescription drugs, and any other items the patient might need while on medevac travel.

For patient information call your local health centre.

Click here for more information on how to contact your local health centre.

For general information on medevac services, please contact the Nunavut Health Insurance Programs Office at the following address: