Curious from Ontario

Hello fellow WLS friends! I am from a small town called Aylmer Ontario (pop 6500). Can't sleep tonight--it's almost 1 am here right now, so I thought I would check out forums from other provinces. I was just curious, does your provincial health care pay for your surgery? Can you apply for out of country coverage and have it done in the US if you choose too? What is the wait time for surgery in New Brunswick? I had my surgery on November 28, 2005 in Michigan and OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) paid for it after I applied. The wait here in Ontario for a surgeon is any where from 3 to 10 years, so I decided on going to the US. I had the surgery done within 4 months of being approved for out of country coverage. I started at 285 pounds with a BMI of over 50. I now weigh 155 pounds give or take a pound or two. My sister had the same surgery at the same clinic last July and has lost almost 130 pounds and is doing great. Well, have a good night! Mary Lou 285/153

Out of country coverage?!??! Not likely- we don't even have coverage for the lap-band device. When I am finally approved for surgery I will have to pay 4500.00 for the device. I have been waiting for over 2 years and I have not even been approved by medicare. I am waiting to see a speciallist, who will make the aplication for me. This means that I am not on a surgery wait list yet. We only have one surgeon, who does bariatric surgery, for all the Atlantic provinces and the wait can take anywhere from 1 to who knows how long. Four to five year waits seem common in the chat room. I love New Brunswick, but there are times when being a "have not" province hurts.

Hi Charline! Thanks for resonding to my 'inquiring mind'. The lap band is not covered anywhere in Canada. It is still considered to be experimental. The cost to have it done here in Ontario is about $15,000. Has anyone you know applied for out of country coverage or really investigated it? I know that in Ontario, WLS patients were initially turned down flat a few years ago, but some very strong and persistent people fought the system and won. Now it is a matter of getting your family doctor to be on board with you and having the right BMI etc to qualify. I have helped several people with getting their paperwork together to send to OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) for approval. No one I have helped has been turned down yet. Keep me posted and if I can answer any questions, please let me know. Regards, Mary LouB. 285/153

Hi, Everything but the device is paid for here. I am not sure of the date, but it has only been a short time that lap-band procedure has been paid for in NB. Still each surgery must be approved individually. I know that recently someone had to appeal the medicare refusal, but won her appeal. I kind of get the impression that only the people with BMI of 50 plus are approved. Cynical me thinks that they want to be sure that the surgery will save the system money! I was told by the Dr's receptionist that the wait for lap-band is far shorter than for by-pass, and if you are self pay, you go to the head of the line. The cost here is only 10,000.00,- cheaper than the U.S. I am not sure if that includes the device or not. I have already done my part of the application to medicare. I just have to see an internist and get her recommendation. I know someone who works for medicare and she told me what they are looking for in an application- I am hoping that helps. Regards Charline.