Lymphovenous Canada: Quebec Treatment Centres

The following information was provided by Quebec's ministry of health and social services.
For more information, please contact Dr. Michel A. Bureau, M.D., FRSP(C), directeur général, Direction générale des services de santé et médecine universitaire, Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, 1075, chemin Sainte-Foy, 9e étage, Québec (Québec) G1S 2M1
E-mail: michel.bureau@msss.gouv.qc.ca Telephone (418) 266-6930 Fax (418) 266-6937.

At present, the Quebec health care system does not have a specific program for the treatment of lymphedema. People with lymphedema are handled by the general program of the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (Quebec Health Insurance Board) and treated in hospitals with the expertise and resources to do so, including surgical and radiotherapy departments. However, the Quebec health insurance plan does not cover all treatments for lymphedema.

Some treatments for lymphedema fall within the Quebec health ministry's anti-cancer program (Programme québécois de lutte contre le cancer). The anti-cancer program is intended to serve everyone with cancer, providing continuity of care and services regardless of the type of tumour.

In certain cases, the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec [the Quebec government agency that deals with disability issues] and the ministère de la Solidarité sociale [which is responsible for welfare and social assistance] can offer, on a discretionary basis, financial assistance for the needs of patients.

The regional health and social services board are responsible for the organization of medical services in their territory. They are the best qualified to answer questions about the treatment of lymphedema in their region. Their coordinates are available on the web site of the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (http://www.msss.gouv.qc.ca).

For more information about lymphedema treatment and services in Quebec, please contact the Lymphedema Association of Quebec at http://www.infolympho.ca/