• Can I receive financial assistance to help cover the cost of travel to an underserviced area in Ontario to assess practice opportunities in the area?
• How can UAP help me determine which communities fit my practice and lifestyle needs?
• How often does the LADAU change?
• Which communities can I travel to?
• How many trips will UAP pay for?
• If I am a Free Tuition recipient, can I use this program to assess communities I am considering for return-of-service?
• Which expenses are covered under this program?
• Will my spouse's travel expenses be covered?
• Which expenses are not covered under this program?
• How do I apply for travel assistance?
• Can I use my own vehicle to travel?
• What happens if I am travelling from another province or country?
• How and when can I expect to be reimbursed?
• Can I use this program to assess a community that I am considering for locum or part-time opportunities?

Can I receive financial assistance to help cover the cost of travel to an underserviced area in Ontario to assess practice opportunities in the area?

Yes, if you apply to the UAP for financial assistance and receive prior written approval before travelling to communities in Ontario that appear on the Lists of Areas Designated as Underserviced (LADAU) to assess practice and lifestyle opportunities and meet with the recruitment officials, as well as head(s) of your discipline in these communities.

How can UAP help me determine which communities fit my practice and lifestyle needs?

UAP maintains a List of Areas Designated as Underserviced (LADAU) for GP/FPs, Medical Specialists and Rehabilitation Professionals that may be used to explore practice opportunities. UAP funds Community Development Officers (CDO), located in six communities across the province, who provide support to communities and health care professionals with recruitment and practice information needs . CDOs can be invaluable sources of information. Please contact UAP for more information.

How often does the LADAU change?

LADAUs are updated quarterly. You are encouraged to contact UAP to ensure you have the most up-to-date information available.

Which communities can I travel to?

Any community or facility that appears on our current LADAU for General/Family Practitioners (GP/FPs), Medical Specialists or Rehabilitation Professionals. If possible, you are encouraged to visit more than one designated community in your professional specialty during each trip, or assessment visit.

How many trips will UAP pay for?

Funds will be provided for a return trip from the applicant's place of residence in Ontario. Professionals living outside of Ontario will be reimbursed for travel from within Ontario or the nearest point of entry into Ontario (Montreal or Winnipeg). A second trip to the same area(s) will not be approved/funded.

If I am a Free Tuition recipient, can I use this program to assess communities I am considering for return-of-service?

Yes, if UAP provides prior written approval.

Which expenses are covered under this program?

Travel costs from the applicant's place of residence in Ontario or from the nearest point of entry into Ontario (Montreal or Winnipeg). Travel costs from one community to another for the purpose of attending meetings and touring facilities are also covered, should an applicant receive approval for visiting several communities in one trip. Travel expenses are calculated on the least possible expensive mode of travel (economy airfare, or use of a personal vehicle Single-occupant accommodation expenses, unless accompanied by a spouse, are also covered.

Will my spouse's travel expenses be covered?

Health care professionals are encouraged to travel with their spouse during the community assessment visit(s). The UAP will cover his/her travel expenses if the request is approved in writing before the trip. However, expenses relating to children are not reimbursed.

Which expenses are not covered under this program?

Expenses such as meals, personal long distance telephone calls, travel to Ontario from other provinces or countries (unless travel expenses meet the criteria specified in item #1 of allowable expenses), relocation costs and expenses related to children are not covered.

How do I apply for travel assistance?

1. Obtain a current LADAU from UAP.
2. Contact facilities/community contacts and set up meetings and interviews.
3. Request the community contact to submit your itinerary and letter(s) of invitation from the community(ies) that you will be visiting to the UAP. You must receive written approval from UAP before you travel. You will receive a claim expense form with your written approval. Claims that have not been approved by UAP prior to the travel occurring will not be reimbursed. The request should be forwarded to UAP at least one month before the visit is scheduled to take place.
4. For reimbursement, original receipts must be sent to UAP with a completed claims expense form. Copies of credit card vouchers are not acceptable receipts. Airfare is based on economy class. The receipt is the last page(s) of the airline ticket or a copy of the e-ticket.
5. Claims for reimbursement must be received by UAP within 90 days of completing the trip. Claims received after 90 days will not be paid.

Can I use my own vehicle to travel?

If approved by UAP in advance, expenses will be paid for the use of a personal vehicle within Ontario. Only travel costs within Ontario or from the nearest point of entry into Ontario (Winnipeg from the west and Montreal from the east) are covered. The kilometre rate for use of a personal vehicle is 41¢/km.

What happens if I am travelling from another province or country?

UAP pays the most feasible economic mode of travel. If you travel by motor vehicle, reimbursement will based on the distance from the Ontario border. If travelling by air, health professionals will be reimbursed up to the amount of full fare from the point of entry into Ontario (Montreal from the east, or Winnipeg from the west), or from Toronto to the Ontario destination.

How and when can I expect to be reimbursed?

A cheque can be expected within four to six weeks after UAP has received your claims expense form and original receipts.

Can I use this program to assess a community that I am considering for locum or part-time opportunities?

No. Community visits are for health care professionals who are considering permanent relocations to underserviced areas in Ontario, and are not meant to be used for the purpose of assessing a locum site, providing locum services, visiting specialist clinic sites, or assessing part-time employment opportunities.

July 2006