The B.C. government added seven coastal ferry routes to the program that finances the travel of Indigenous, rural and remote patients to receive health care outside their communities.

The provincial travel assistance program supports B.C. residents whose travel costs are not covered by third-party insurance and who need to access non-emergency health services not offered locally.

As of Thursday, round trips are free for eligible patients on the ferries, which are mainly around Vancouver Island and Prince Rupert.

Newly-covered routes include:

"These are all small communities that have private or independently operated ferry services to them, and there's a cost associated with that," B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne told All Points West Thursday. "It might be $25, or it might be $90, but we know every penny counts."

The travel assistance program already helps eligible patients access discounted rates for travel with several independently owned transportation companies, including B.C. Ferries, Via Rail, Harbour Air Seaplanes and Helijet.

Since last year, according to the B.C. Health Ministry, the program has approved more than 98,000 applications for support.

By adding the seven routes, which were not previously covered, Osborne said she hopes the expansion helps cover more expensive travel from small, coastal B.C. communities.

"We know how hard it is for people who live in the farther-flung communities across BC to make it out, and there's a financial burden that's associated with that kind of travel," she said.

Rural health-care challenges

Accessing health care is often more costly for patients living in rural and remote communities.

A 2021 peer-reviewed study led by the Centre for Rural Health Research at the University of British Columbia found that rural residents pay an average of about $2,000 in out-of-pocket expenses to access health care, including more than $800 in travel costs.

Chief John Jack, of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, said he expects addressing these costs will mean better health outcomes up and down the coast.

"When rural and remote communities have better access to health care, their health outcomes are better, and people live longer," he told a news conference Thursday.

Paul Adams, the executive director of the B.C. Rural Health Network, told CBC News the new ferry routes are a welcome addition to the program.

"If you're needing to leave your community in order to seek care, this program is going to help you get there," he said.

LISTEN | B.C. expands travel assistance for medical appointments:

Adams added there are still some gaps in the province's coverage of travel for rural, remote and Indigenous patients.

Some incur high costs paying for gas while driving, he said, and many still need to pay hundreds in accommodations when travelling for health care.