MSP Out-Of-Country

I had my DS in Brazil and was self-pay. Does anyone know what my chances of getting it covered by MSP would be? Can I even get it covered after I've already had it done?

I was 416 pounds on my surgery date with a BMI of 65 I think or something like that.

Any opinions on this anyone?

Thanks and love.

Susie

Im not sure of the answer to that, but in my opinion it doesn't hurt to try.

Also can you not claim this on your taxes as well.

Suzanne

Good idea about the taxes, I hadn't even thought of that. If anyone reads this and knows anything about the tax situation - let me know.

Still looking for more information on MSP if anyone is aware?

Thanks so much for taking the time and the really good suggestion.

Susie

It definately is a tax deduction for the complete surgery and my accountant said even travel

Awesome, do you know if you need a Canadian physician to sign a form of some kind saying you were in need of this surgery?

Susan

Hi Susie,

I was just looking on the MSP website, and found the following:

Seeking Elective (Non-Emergency) Medical Care Outside Canada

 

If you leave Canada specifically to obtain medical or hospital care (and you would like to have your provincial coverage help pay for it), the medical specialist looking after your care in B.C. must write to MSP and provide information regarding the medical necessity for a referral outside of Canada. The specialist needs to provide information about what other treatment options have been explored elsewhere in B.C. and/or Canada. In cases where cancer is the diagnosis or treatment involves radiation or chemotherapy, MSP requires a recommendation from the B.C. Cancer Agency.

Treatment which is considered to be experimental or still in the developmental (research) stage is not eligible for coverage.

Note: If you do not obtain MSP approval for elective out of country medical care, all costs for services received outside Canada will be your personal responsibility. Travel and accommodation costs are not eligible for coverage.

For additional information see MSP's Out of Province and Out of Country Medical Care Guidelines for Funding Approval (PDF 66Kb).

I also read the Our of Province and Out of Country Medical Care Guidelines....it doesn't look likely that the surgery would be reimbursed by MSP.   I think because it is considered "elective", the approval would have had to have been obtained prior to going, and also, it isn't a procedure that is covered here.  It is very frustrating!!  They make us wait so long here in BC, but they also don't make it easy to go somewhere else and have it done.

I hope that helps - even if it isn't good news.
Heather.

BC MSP does not cover the DS.  It covers RNY and sometimes the sleeve.  I beleive that you have to have pre-approval for BC MSP to even consider this.  However, you may be able to recover a small portion of the anesthetists fee (like $200).  It is not much, same as for plastics.  IF you have any kind of extended medical, I would fully recommend querying them regarding what they might cover.  You might find that they will cover part (or all) of your hospital stay.  You  might find that they will cover your medications and so on. 

Nothing much to say really - pretty depressing. My enhanced coverage under my husband's benefits won't cover anything out of country unless it was an emergency.

Sigh.

Susie

Hi Susie

I have been approved for OCC , surgery booked for Feb. 

I was told that patients must be refered by a specialist (usually a bariatric surg) who forwards the referral to MSP along with any test results showing the required co-morb in order to qualify.

I think that it is highly unlikely that they would pay retroactively.