Expert: Diminishing Dawn - 9/6/2009

Question
I have reviewed comments where by people have stated that OHIP covered their surgery. I am looking to find out how I can start this process... forms, specific doctors to see, etc.

At present I am a 35 yr old single mom with a multitude on health issues... renal reflux, severe asthma, TMJ, knee pains (with more than 20 arthroscopic procedures), celiac, lactose in tolerance, inability to digest most animal forms of protein and an undiagnosed liver issue. From what I can see my BMI is sitting at approx 48.5 if I calculated it correctly.

I would greatly appreciate any information to help me start this process. I can be reached through e-mail at .

Thank you!
Angela

Answer
Would you want to get surgery in Canada or in the States?

If you want to have it in Canada, it is a simple matter of getting your doctor to make a referral to one of the Ontario Providers:

Ontario Providers of Bariatric Services

St. Joseph’s HealthCare Hamilton
phone number : 905-522-1155 Ext 3324
fax number :     905-521-6152

Humber River Regional Hospital
phone number 416-747-3720
fax number :     416-747-3731
www.misgroup.ca

Guelph General Hospital
phone number : 519-837-6440 ext. 2700
fax number : 519-837-6773

The Ottawa Hospital
The Weight Management Clinic
phone number : 613- 761-5101
fax number : 613- 761-5343
website : www.weightclinic.ca
Out of Province Provider of Bariatric Services

Start the process now and expect generally it to take somewhere between 8 to 48 months depending on the program/doctor.

If you can afford travel expenses, going out of country is a good option and generally faster.

This is the approved lists of facilities:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/ohip/outofcountry/us_prefe...

Your doctor would fill out this form, send it to OHIP for approval and then you'd be covered for out of country.
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/ohip/outofcountry/prior_appro...

Any other questions?

www.diminishingdawn.com