OHIP? Manulife?

I live in Toronto and want to know if anyone knows if OHIP or Manulife Group Insurance cover bariatric surgery, and if so, what type do they cover? Also, how long is the waiting list for surgery? Any guidance anyone could give would be greatly appreciated. I'm new to this board. Hi everyone! And thanks. Raynbow

Hi Raynbow : ( what a lovely name ) Yes OHIP does cover surgery , except lapband ! Waiting time in Ontario I hear is anywhere from 3-7 years . Im going to Michigan to the Barix clinic , I applied for out of country ohip in July , was approved in 6 days ,and my surgery is on Sept. 13th. Im sure lots of the others on here will be a little more informative than I am . You have definatley come to the right place if you want any info on WLS , these people on this board are just a wealth of information as well as support with ANYTHING ! Through reading peoples profiles and posts for the past 6 months or so is what helped me to decide on this surgery. Best of Luck ... Melinda

Raynbow, OHIP does cover weight loss surgery except lapband surgery. I am having Mini-gastric bypass surgery in 3 weeks. I started my search in January and am now going to Las Vegas to have surgery with CLOS. I am very excited. For OHIP to approve you you have to have certain qualifications. A high BMI (body mass index) or other complications such as heart problems joint degeneration diabetes or something that makes your case more urgent and you unable to wait for surgery in Canada is what makes you qualified. You need the support of your doctor or else things become very complicated because OHIP insists that your doctor apply for you. You can assist your doctor by getting as much information as possible and showing him or her how serious you are. Also, ask as many questions as you can think of the more you know the better off you will be. investigate every possibility. This needs to be right for you. Good luck and keep in touch. Don't be afraid to keep posting on your progress. Teresa

Hey Raynbow OMG i just love your name and Melinda is right it is lovely. Melinda is also right on OHIP approving bariatric surgery except the lapband it is still considered experimental they won't even cover it in the states. The wait times here in Ontario are just to long thats why alot of us here in OH have gone states side or to other countries. Dr. Starr in Toronto i hear does have a short wait time but, it is still longer than going to the states. I am seeing dr.O'malley in rochester. Just research find the surgery that you think will best suit you because you have to live with your choice for the rest of your life and then research the surgeons. I have the OHIP forms you will need if you would like them i can e-mail them to you my e-mail addy is [email protected] e-mail me anytime. Dannette

Hi Ruth: Like so many others have answered OHIP does cover weight loss surgery. I had mine in Detroit with Dr. Genaw and can send you all the information in a package if you would like. There is also a group for us here on obesity help. http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ON/posts.html I am also one of the moderators of the London weight loss surgery support group. If you would like to join us the site is: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/london_wls_support_group/ Go to either of thos sites and get all your questions answered and meet lots of people just like yourself.

Hello Raynbow Yes! Ohip does cover surgery as some of the members have told you. There is quite a wait in Ontario so you might consider going to the US, this is covered by OHIP too. I am having a duodenal switch with Dr. Lutrzykowski in Bloomfield Hills (detriot) Michigan Good luck on your journery Jen

Don't expect much from Manulife. Although your group benefits are unique to your own company's negotiations, there are very few aspects regarding bariatric surgery and/or cosmetic surgery available for coverage in these benefits packages. The only coverage I was able to get from Manulife was reimbursement of my nutritionist's fees. My psychological exam would have been covered, if the examiner had been a licensed psychologist. However, she was a social worker and Manulife does not recognize that as an accredited professional. OHIP covered the hospital and doctor fees for the surgery. My out of pocket expenses included my pschological examination, my travel costs and my out of the country hotel accommodations. OHIP will cover some additional expenses for residents of Northern Ontario, but for us locals, we are responsible for the travel and accommodation costs. Karen G

Hi there. How much if the gastric band in USA? How do we get ohip to cover our hospital stay in the US. Has any of you ladies gain the weight back and how much did you lose? Any problems with eating after to nausea/ vomiting. Thank you.