Lymphovenous Canada: Treatment Programs in provinces and territories other than Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario

For information on other provinces, contact that province's health ministry or department directly. If the telephone numbers shown below are long distance for you, you may be able to find a local or toll-free telephone number for your province's health insurance plan in your local telephone directory.

Manitoba

Information regarding services in Manitoba for persons with lymphovenous disorders is available from local health professionals, including physicians and physiotherapists, or from the offices of any one of the 11 Regional Health Authorities (RHA) at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/rha/rhamap.html.

In Manitoba there are four Vodder certified therapists (two with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) Breast Health Centre (BHC), one with Brandon RHA, and one private therapist who works in Winnipeg) and two Chickley certified therapists (one in Steinback and one in Winnipeg).

The WRHA BHA staff treat secondary lymphedema after breast cancer surgery/treatment. This service is publicly funded, but clients are responsible for the cost of the compression garments.

The services of a private practice therapist are not insured by Manitoba Health and Healthy Living (MHHL) but may be covered through private insurance plans.

Treatment of lymphedema from any cause is also available via referral at the Health Sciences Centre Physiotherapy Department, using other than the Vodder or Chikley methods. These services are covered by MHHL, except for the cost of compression garments.

On the recommendation of a medical professional, extremity pumps may be provided to the individual through the RHA, on a loan basis without charge.

Persons with lymphovenous disorders may also meet the eligibility criteria for the provision of services through the Home Care Program. Home Care services include a range of health professional and para-professional services which are available throughout Manitoba. Referrals for assessment to the Home Care program may be made to the RHA where the individual resides. On the recommendation of a medical professional, extremity pumps may be provided to an individual through an RHA, on a loan basis without charge. This varies between RHAs.

For more information contact your RHA.

New Brunswick

Department of Social Development (Health Services program)
Telephone: (506) 453-2001 Fax: (506) 453-2164

The Health Services program of the Dept. of Social Development provides coverage for compression stockings and compression sleeves to treat edema for clients who possess a Health Card. New Brunswick does not provide coverage for other devices or for individuals who do not qualify for a Health Card. The rental or purchase of extremity pumps is not a benefit at this time.

In order to obtain a Health Card with the Department, an individual must communicate with their respective local Social Development office. For more information visit the following web site:http://www.gnb.ca/0017/Health%20Services/index-e.asp or http://www.gnb.ca/0017/Health%20Services/index-f.asp.

Individuals with lymphovenous disorders are encouraged to contact their Regional Health Authority for information on treatment specialists in this area.

In January 2003 the Atlantic Chapter of the Canadian Breast Cancer foundation assisted in funding the training of another physiotherapist in Complete Decongestive Therapy for the treatment of lymphedema. Laine MacKinley BscPt, CLT, will be working with Andrea Tilley, BScPT, in conjunction with the existing program out of Saint Joseph's Hospital at 130 Bayard Dr., Saint John, N.B. Tel: (506) 632-5510. The program will also be treating those with lymphedema at the Saint John Regional Hospital, University Avenue, Saint John NB. Tel: 506-648-6912.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland Dept. of Health
and Community Services
Special Assistance Program, Eastern Health:
Ms. Barb Carew
Telephone: (709) 752-4169
Fax: (709) 752-4842
barbcarew@easternhealth.ca

Clients with lymphedema can access extremity pumps and compression garments under the Special Assistance Program administered by Eastern Health. Clients have to be financial means tested and meet financial criteria in order to obtain equipment/garments. Clients receiving supportive services in the community may automatically be eligible for this service. Clients are usually referred to the program by a physiotherapist in an acute care setting and sometimes may be able to access a piece of equipment on loan. Some equipment can be rented or purchased by local medical supply companies.

In 2006 the Eastern Health Board recognized the need for and provided funding for a Lymphedema Nurse Co-ordinator position permanently. You can contact the Martina Reddick, RN, at the Cancer Care Program, Eastern Health, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, Nfld. AlB 3V6 at: (709) 777-8713 or by e-mail at: martina.reddick@easternhealth.ca

For other patient inquiries in the Eastern Region contact D. Taylor at 709-466-6342 (Clarenville), in the Central Region contact F. Rogers at 709-651-6253(Gander), in the Western Region contact M. Lidstone at 709-643-8702 (Corner Brook) and in the Labrador-Grenfell Region contact R. Patey at 709-454-0372 (St. Anthony) or T. Dyson 709-897-2352 (Happy Valley-Goose Bay).

For inquiries regarding massage therapy, contact the NL Massage Therapy Association at 709-726-2217.

Nova Scotia

Medical Services Insurance Plan
Telephone (902) 468-9700

The Lymphedema care program, at Capital District Health Authority, is located in the Rehab Services Department in the Dickson Building of Victoria General Hospital. The client services are provided by an Occupational Therapist and a Physiotherapist who both have certification training in Complex Lymphedema Therapy. This is a multi-faceted program that offers:

• preventive services and education for those at risk of developing lymphedema;
• acts as a triage/liaison service for those who wish to access treatment in other parts of the province;
• provides treatment to clients experiencing lymphedema; and carries out research in the ares of lymphedema.

The Volumetric and Clinic Benefits of Using Compression Garments versus Compression Bandaging in Complex Lymphedema Treatment is a pilot study currently underway. Once a month, an educational and screening session is offered to individuals who have had a diagnosis of breast cancer and are at risk of developing lymphedema post surgery and radiotherapy treatments. Clients are also seen on an individual basis who have a primary diagnosis of cancer and have lymphedema for assessment and treatment.

Assessment and consultative services are offered to clients/family/physicians regarding lymphedema that are not related to a diagnosis of cancer. To access their brochure on their lymphedema program click here

For more information contact Vickie Sullivan, Director, Cancer Care Program, Nova Scotia Cancer Centre at: (902) 473-6069. You can also write the Centre for more information at: 5820 University Ave., Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 1V8 or e-mail her at: Vickie.Sullivan@cdha.nshealth.ca

Northwest Territories

Andrew Rice, Manager, Insurance Programs
NWT Health and Social Services
Bag Service 9
Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0
Telephone 1-800-661-0830 ext. 7402

Supplementary programs are available for clients who are not covered under Non-insured Health Benefits, such as the Metis Health Benefits program, to those who are over 60 years of age under the Extended Health Benefits Program, and people with a specific medical condition such as cancer. All of the listed programs are eligible for prescription drug coverage, medical supplies and equipment to he maximum of the program guidelines. Other specified medical conditions may be covered under Extended Health Benefits and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by exception.

Medical supplies and equipment such as pressure garments or other supplies related to a lymphovenous condition may be covered for clients who require financial assistance and meet the guidelines. Prior approval is required for this coverage.

Extremity pumps are not available in the Northwest Territories. Clients they see with lymphedema are treated with modalities that assist with circulation, referred to OT for compression garments or compression wraps.

Prince Edward Island

Department of Health and Social Services
16 Garfield Street
P.O. Box 2000
Charlottetown, PEI
C1A 7N8
Tel:(902) 368-6130
Fax:(902) 368-6136
Contact: Johanne Irwin, Physician Services Manager

There are no specialized lymphovenous centres in PEI. There are no specific programs under Medicare Services in PEI to provide financial subsidies or rental of extremity pumps, however, those in financial need are referred to and assessed by the Department of Health and Social Services.

The following services are offered to hospital in-patients: nursing services, drugs, routine surgical supplies, physiotherapy. The following services are offered to hospital out-patients: necessary nursing services, drugs prescribed by an attending physician and administered in the hospital out-patient department, routine surgical supplies, physiotherapy.

The following services are not covered outside of a hospital: special nurses requested by the patient and family, crutches and other appliances, drugs for use outside of the hospital, services provided by physiotherapists, naturopaths or podiatrists.

Quebec

The Jewish General Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital treat individuals with lymphedema in their physical therapy departments.

(Please check the Massage page) for listings of lymphatic massage school and therapists for this province.

The Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services has provided us with information on their approach to lymphedema and treatment programs for it which are also available in the province. For this information in French or English click below.

Yukon

Yukon Insured Health Programs
Telephone (867) 667-5209

For information on lymphedema services, contact the Therapy Services unit of Whitehorse General Hospital at 867-393-8700 or the Yukon government's Home Care Program at 867-667-5774.

Persons who are 65 years of age or older are eligible for the Pharmacare and Extended Benefits Program which provides 100% coverage on pressure stockings, jobst garments and prescription pharmaceuticals. The Chronic Disease Program provides benefits for persons under age 65; however, supplies and drugs would not be covered unless lymphedema is considered to be a secondary result of conditions such as cancer which is already covered by the program.

For additional information, contact Diane Tait, Manager, Extended Benefits and Pharmaceuticals Program, Insured Health Services, P.O. Box 2703, Whitehorse, Yukon, YlA 2C6.

Tel: (867) 667-5628
Fax: (867) 393-6486