Thank you. If patients are in an Alberta hospital, and they happen to be on what's considered a COVID ward, which is where there is a potential exposure to potential clients, then Alberta is requiring them to have 14 days self-isolation in an Alberta COVID isolation centre. I believe that's at the cost of Alberta, but we would have to confirm. For those patients that are just experiencing COVID symptoms and cannot get on the plane, we would pay, or the program covering their medical travel would pay. I believe it's Alberta Health who is paying, but we'd have to you confirm that.
Thank you. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I am wondering if the Minister knows the rate of people, on a monthly basis, who are travelling to Edmonton who end up having to self-isolate in Alberta because they were on a COVID border or they have symptoms coming home. Thank you.
Minister?
I'd have to return with that information. Thank you.
Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. No. I appreciate that, and I appreciate the commitment of returning with information as to whether or not we are covering that or if that's being covered by Alberta because I think it will add a significant cost to our medical travel, especially if people are then coming home and then having to then self-isolate again. That would mean a month of self-isolating for people after a medical travel appointment. Is the department of health offering any kind of financial assistance to people who end up in a situation where they are having to self-isolate for a month for potentially a one-hour appointment down in Alberta? Thank you.
Thank you, Member. Minister.
Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair. I am not aware of any assistance that is being provided in that circumstance. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I would imagine that there are some people who are in very stressful circumstances right now if they are having to isolate routinely. I think of people who are travelling down south for cancer treatment and are going on a regular basis or they have kind of regular specialist's appointments that they are having to go to. That would add a whole new level of stress to their family. I asked a similar question the other day, but I am wondering if the Department of Health and Social Services is looking at the cost of bringing up physicians for common ailments that people would have to travel south for, bringing up locums for that, and if that would come out of the medical travel budget or if it would come out of the hospital services or where that funding would come out of. Thank you.
Thank you. Minister.
Yes. Thank you. I will start by mentioning that people who are regular medical-travel travellers are a priority for vaccination, and so there is an effort to ensure that they are not constantly inconvenienced by their medical travel. In terms of the cost of bringing doctors to the NWT, I will look at the deputy minister to answer the question. Thank you.
Thank you. Deputy Minister.
Thank you, Madam Chair. This, the cost associated with physician services, and this would be a locum-type arrangement, is covered off in a previous section, under hospitals and physician services.
Thank you. Member for Kam Lake.
No, I appreciate that. I just want to clarify something that the Minister just said. If somebody is vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine, does that have an effect on their need to self-isolate for medical travel or any other reason? Thank you.
Thank you, Member. Minister.
Yes. Thank you. The point of the vaccine is to reduce the severity of illness should it be contracted. In the NWT, we have not reduced isolation times based on having the vaccine, so the real point there is to reassure people about their safety in the event of infection. Thank you.
Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you. I appreciate that. I just wanted to make sure that no assumptions were being made there. My next question is in regard to the Metis Health Benefits. I am wondering if the Minister knows how many people are covered by the Metis Health Benefits.
Thank you, Member. Minister.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I will ask the assistant deputy minister to answer that question.
Thank you. Assistant Deputy Minister.
Thank you. We have approximately 1,500 people registered under the Metis Health Benefits Program. Again, that changes periodically.
Thank you. Member for Kam Lake.
Thanks very much, Madam Chair. One of the figures that was given earlier was $250 for return airfare. I am wondering what portion of that or what portion of the amount above and beyond that is covered by NIHB. Thank you.
Thank you, Member. Minister.
Yes. Thank you. That is a federal program, but the assistant deputy minister will be able to answer. Thank you.
Thank you. Assistant Deputy Minister Elkin.
Thank you. Again, we currently administer the medical travel for NIHB-eligible clients. We recover the copayment, which is $200 each way, so $400 round-trip, from the federal government, but we are currently incurring the remainder of the cost through our medical travel program.
Thank you, Mr. Elkin. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I am wondering if the Department of Health and Social Services is currently negotiating with the federal government in regard to a new agreement to increase NIHB travel subsidies for the Northwest Territories. The reason I ask is, in November of 2020, Nunavut was successful in increasing their support for medical travel to the tune of $20 million, so I am wondering if we can expect the same wonderful, wonderful announcement in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
Thank you, Member. Minister.
Yes. Thank you. I will refer that question to the deputy minister, please.
Thank you. Deputy Minister Cooper.
Thank you, Madam Chair. We are certainly very alive to the situation in Nunavut, and we are in active discussions with NIHB around ensuring that, where can we find equity, we find it. Thank you.
Thank you, Deputy Minister. Are there any further questions from Members? Member for Frame Lake.
Thanks, Madam Chair. Can someone tell me how many Metis are actually eligible for the Metis Health Benefits in the Northwest Territories? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Minister.
Yes. When that question was asked about two minutes ago, it was 1,500, so I am going to say it's still 1,500.
Thank you, Minister. Member for Frame Lake.
Thank you, Madam Chair. That is great to hear. Has the federal government paid any other jurisdictions with regard to Metis Health Benefits? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Member. Minister.
No, I do not believe they have. Thank you.
Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.
Thanks, Madam Chair. Is there any indication whatsoever that the federal government is actually going to contribute towards this, and has it been raised, for example, at FPT tables? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Member. Minister.
Thank you, Madam Chair. There is no indication that the federal government is ready to pay. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Member for Frame Lake.
