Insurance Coverage
Q: Is treatment covered by the British Columbia Medical Services Plan?
A: No. B.C.'s MSP has elected not to fund this program. Individuals who have extended health insurance benefits may have coverage.
Q: How about coverage through my private insurance benefits?
A: If you or your partner is employed, you may have access to extended healthcare insurance to cover various medical and allied health services not funded by B.C.'s Medical Services Plan. Often coverage includes a maximum annual benefit, and specifies therapy services.
Extended healthcare insurance and company health plans vary dramatically and are changed or updated regularly. Plans that offer coverage for Occupational Therapy, and surgical compression garments/compression stockings, may offer reimbursement for services provided by Canadian Lymphedema & Rehabilitation Services. Patients must contact their provider or plan administrator to clarify what services are covered. We will work with you to co-ordinate our services to meet your plan guidelines where possible.
Q: Do I have any options for coverage with B.C. Pharmacare??
A: Limited financial coverage is available for upper extremity Lymphedema arm sleeves and gloves depending on specific Pharmacare plans and deductibles for B.C. residents. B.C. Pharmacare does not offer coverage for lower extremity Lymphedema compression garments. B.C. Pharmacare does not offer any funding for healthcare rehabilitation professional services.
Q: Are any of these services tax deductible?
A: Occupational Therapy healthcare services are a tax deductible medical expense. For further information: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tp/it519r2-consolid/README.html;
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tp/it519r2-consolid/it519r2-consolid-e.html#P277_59505
We encourage you to discuss these options with your income tax planner and check with the Canada Revenue Agency for any updates to federal tax laws.
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