The National Travel Assistance Scheme (NTA) was set up to help people who travel a long way to specialist appointments get some of their travel expenses back.
To be eligible for the reimbursement, you must:
If this sounds like your situation, check if you meet the criteria for an adult, a child or a baby to get some travel expense back through the National Travel Assistance Scheme.
To be eligible for the reimbursement, you must:
If this sounds like your situation, check if you meet the criteria for an adult, a child or a baby to get some travel expense back through the National Travel Assistance Scheme.
If in doubt, ring the National Travel Assistance helpline 0800 281 222 (press 2).
Have you:
AND
Do you:
Has your child (up to 18 years):
AND
Does your child:
A neonate is a baby who is up to 28 days old, or until first discharged from hospital – whichever is the later.
Babies that do not meet the neonate definition then need to meet the same criteria as that set out for children (up to 18 years).
First supporters of inpatient neonates are entitled to travel assistance under the NTA scheme.
If you are eligible and your accommodation is approved by your specialist, you will be able to claim for some assistance, for example, payment towards costs of a motel room, or an allowance when staying with friends and family.
Note: Accommodation is not usually approved for travel less than 100km away.
Under certain circumstances, you may also be eligible for assistance towards a support person’s costs. For example, if your specialist recommends a support person to assist you with clinical decision-making, or to provide physical support.
When a child is eligible for travel and accommodation assistance, they are always eligible for assistance towards a support person’s costs.
Ministry of Health National Travel Assistance
PO Box 1026
Wellington