Lymphovenous Canada: Insurance coverage

Coverage by Canada's health care system of bandages, compression garments, massage and equipment such as extremity pumps, varies across Canada. Some consumers who are unable to get coverage for these items through the health care system have attempted - with some success - to get these items covered through their insurance providers.

Getting the costs of health equipment and services covered through employee benefits can be tricky, however, because of the wide variations in policies and the inconsistency from insurance company to insurance company in policies.

In some situations, where workplaces are unionized, consumers may be able to enforce these benefits through the grievance process. Although some individuals have taken insurance companies to court, the expense of this option rules it out for many people.

Some individuals who reported success in appealing decisions to ombudsmen within insurance companies. Where that route is unsuccessful, some consumers have gone to insurance regulators in their provinces - where they exist - or to insurance lobby organizations to appeal insurance decisions.

Below is a partial listing of some of these resources. We will be adding to this list as we become aware of other bodies and organizations. Let us know how you have been able to get coverage for health related products or services through your insurance company. E-mail us with your stories and thoughts at: info@lymphovenous-canada.ca.

Canada (federal)
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions
255 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H2
Toll-free: 1-800-385-8647
Fax (613) 990-5591
http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca

Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc.
1 Queen Street East, Suite 1700
Toronto, Ontario
M5C 2X9
Phone: (416) 777-2221
Fax: (416) 777-1895
http://www.clhia.ca

Alberta
Bernard Rodrigues
Superintendent of Insurance
402 Terrace Bldg
9515 - 107 Street
Edmonton, AB T5K 2C3
Phone: (780) 422-1592
Fax: (780) 420-0752
E-mail: bernard.rodrigues@gov.ab.ca

British Columbia
Financial Institutions Commission (FICOM)
1900 - 1050 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC
V6E 3S7
Phone: (604) 660-2947
Fax: (604) 660-3170
E-mail: FICOM@gems9.gov.bc.ca
http://www.fic.gov.bc.ca/contactficom.htm

Manitoba
Financial Institutions Regulation Branch
Manitoba Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs
1115-405 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3L6
Phone: (204) 945-2542
Toll-free: 1-800-282-8069 (in Manitoba)
Fax: (204) 948-2268
Email: insurance@gov.mb.ca

Ontario
Financial Services Commission of Ontario
17th Floor
5160 Yonge St., Box 85
North York, Ontario M2N 6L9
Dina Palozzi, Chief Executive Officer & Superintendent of Financial Services
General Inquiry: 416-250-7250 - 24 Hour Info Line
General Inquiry: 416-590-7000 - CEO/Superintendent's Office
TTY: 416-590-7108
Toll Free: 800-668-0128 x7000 - CEO/Superintendent's Office
Toll Free: 800-668-0128 - 24 Hour Info Line
TTY Toll Free: 800-387-0584
Fax: 416-590-7070
Fax: 416-590-7078 - CEO/Superintendent's Office
Web site: http://www.fsco.gov.on.ca

Quebec
L'Autorité des marchés financiers
Place de la Cité, tour Cominar
2640, boulevard Laurier, bureau 400
Sainte-Foy (Québec) G1V 5C1
Téléphone : (418) 525-0311 or Montréal (514) 395-0311
1-866-526-0311
Télécopieur : (418) 647-0376
E-mail: renseignements-consommateur@lautorite.qc.ca
http://www.lautorite.qc.ca/

Saskatchewan
James Hall
Superintendent of Insurance
Saskatchewan Department of Justice
1871 Smith Street
Regina, SK S4P 3V7
Telephone: (306) 787-7881
Fax: (306) 787-9779

Newfoundland & Labrador
Don Boyles
Manager of Insurance
Department of Government Services & Lands
2nd Floor Confederation Building, West Block
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, NL
A1B 4J6
Telephone: (709) 729-5661 or (709) 729-2602
Fax: (709) 729-3205
http://www.gs.gov.nl.ca/cca/ip/

New Brunswick
Suzanne Bonnell-Burley
Superintendent of Insurance
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, N.B.
E3B 5H1
Tel: (506) 453-2458 or (506) 453-2512
E-mail: SUZANNEBB@gov.nb.ca
http://www.gnb.ca

Nova Scotia
Superintendent of Insurance
9th Floor South
1505 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS B3J 2X1
Phone: (902) 424-6331
Fax: (902) 424-5327
http://www.gov.ns.ca/enla/financialinstitutions/

Northwest Territories
Doug Doak
Director of Treasury and Superintendent of Insurance
Government of the Northwest Territories
Department of Finance
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Telephone (867) 920-3423
Fax (867) 873-0325
E-mail: DOUG_DOAK@gov.nt.ca

Prince Edward Island
Robert Bradley
Superintendent of Insurance
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE
C1A 7N8
Telephone: (902) 368-6478
Fax: (902) 368-5283
E-mail: rabradley@gov.pe.ca
http://www.gov.pe.ca/oag/ccaid-info/index.php3

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Last revised September 28, 2005.