Question to Canadians (and/or whoever knows)
Well, I finally did it. I have made an appointment with Dr. Foster for Tara on July 29. A couple of angels (you know who you are!) encouraged me to do this, and I know that it is the right thing to do.
So... those of you who have made this trip from Canada, were you able to get reimbursed for the medical fees from provincial (esp Alberta) health care? If so, how? Were you able to recover any travel costs from private plans like Blue Cross or Great-West Life? Again, if so, how?
Any help through the paper trail would be appreciated!!
Re: Question to Canadians (and/or whoever knows)
Donna
Great news!!
We had some angels on our team and the grandparents paid for us. There is a form for Alberta Health Care. I'll try and dig it up later.. I know that I found it doing a google search. We claimed it as a medical expense on our incomce tax.
We had the flourescein angiogram and all of the bloodwork done here so we didn't have to pay for that. The best part about working with Dr. Foster is that we don't get a bill for the follow up phone calls
Wow Donna!
Donna, great news! I'm so glad to hear that you've taken the initiative and are making the trip. Honestly, I never knew what you were thinking or I'd have been nudging you in this direction a loong time ago! Guess I didn't want to step on any toes but I'm so glad that you're heading in the right direction.
I also used my trip on my income tax as a deduction. Keep all your receipts (hotel, airfare, food, doctor's bills) and submit them next income tax time.
It's a wonderful trip and it's great to know that you've got the best doctor on your team. Just out of curiousity (you don't have to answer this), how do your doctor's in Calgary feel about this? Are they on board? I sure hope so, it's so much easier if they are. Get a record of all Tara's health records (relevant or recent) to take with you. It took me a couple of months to get this together and I was still phoning doctors from Boston for them to fax my relevant information.
I know I've been out of touch lately, but you and Tara are always in my thoughts. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Re: Question to Canadians (and/or whoever knows)
Good Advice Brenda,
We brought a copy of Mike's records from the opthalmologist. It would also help if you had results from the bloodwork, angiograms, or any other tests that you had done.
We found that the biggest hassle we had was getting a flourescien angiogram done after we returned(as per Dr. Foster's recommendation) the ONLY doctor who could book it was the retinal specialist and only AFTER we saw him. I am so thankful that our opthalmologist personally phoned the retinal guy and told him that he needs to see Mike ASAP, and we got in there within a week
It really helped us that our opthalmologist and pediatrician were both on board with us going to Boston. The ped was great in discussing with the pediatric rheumatologist the urgency of the situation. I brought all 3 doctors contact info and Dr. Foster sent his report directly to all of them.
Have a great time and maybe you can convince Dr. Foster to come skiing in Banff and we can set up a local clinic
Re: Question to Canadians (and/or whoever knows)
Hi Lori and Brenda:
Thanks for the suggestions. I now have calls in to the Pediatric Opthomologist, the Optometrist, the Retina Specialist and the Pediatric Rheumy to send me all the data that they have. Other than requiring a signed release (to release the info to me - go figure), I've had no hassle so far.
I softened the Pediatric Optholologist up before hand, showing her communication from Dr. Foster, his algorithm, etc... and then asked her if she thought it would be a good idea to go. She sounded quite open minded about it, but I wussed out and asked her to tell the Retina specialist for me. The Retina Specialist just hands back to me stuff I hand him (without glancing at it) declaring the internet an unreliable source of info, so I thought I'd let his respected collegue tell him. I will have to get him to order a Flourescein Angiogram, though (he wanted to do one but decided not to "discomfort" Tara).
Question for you both: Her appointment is at 9:00. When do you think it is safe to book a flight out? I'd like to leave that day - can we safely plan to leave by, say 4:00? thoughts?
Anyway, I've ordered the passports, and now I have to find an airline that might still be in business in July. If you think of anything else I've forgotten, please let me know.
Thanks for the suggestions, support and encouragement. I really appreciate and need it. I decided to make the trip when it finally sunk in that the disease is winning,and that's not an easy thing to accept.
Re: Question to Canadians (and/or whoever knows)
Donna
Sounds like the team is starting to fall into place.
In regards to timing... that sounds about the same thing we did. I can't rememeber exactly the time we flew out but it was in the afternoon. Just let the clinic know that you need to be out by 2 pm or whatever, and they will keep that in mind.
I tend to fly Northwest and avoid Air Canada. Just be forwarned that NW does not have meals on the leg to Minn and then to Boston. We arrived in Boston at midnight after leaving edmonton at 1 pm,and mad rush to make the connection, but sat on the tarmac in Minneapolis for 2 hours. So pack some food.. Mike was starved
Re: Question to Canadians (and/or whoever knows)
Hi, I live in BC and got govt to pay for doc visit in US $ in NYC. If yoou want more info please e-mail me in BIG letters to tom-cat@shaw.ca - Cathy
Re: Question to Canadians (and/or whoever knows)
Hi,
My 61/2 years old daughter has just been diagnosed with Severe Uveitis and I am trying to get as much information as possible. We live in Toronto and she is being seen at Sick Children Hospital, but My husband and I decided to have a second opinion, We booked an appoinment with DR. Foster on October09, 2006. I would appreaciate very much any information you can provideme regarding the trip and how everithing went. Also if somebody has any information on how the reimburst works in Ontario will be great.
Thanks a lot
Re: Question to Canadians (and/or whoever knows)
Hi,
We are going next week to see Dr. Foster. Any advised will be greatly appreciated. How long the appoinment last what can we expect to know from this first appoinment.All you can fiull me in will be great. I am going to talk to the Dr that is seening her at Sick Kids on Monday to let her know we are going, hope she take it ok and provide us with as much information as possible.
Thargelia
Re: Question to Canadians (and/or whoever knows)
Hi. Renee and I have been working on this file . . it gives travel trips to Boston when seeing Dr. Foster. It isn't complet, but perhaps will have some useful information.
Hi,
Last time we went to Boston we stay at a hotel in Daham. The hotel was a walking distance from the comuter train station,half rate you will pay in Boston for a hotel, and it took us just 20 min to get to South Station. I think this could be another option when travelling from Canada.
You need to reach your provincial Health and Wellness centers and see what they will cover. All provinces have coverage and pay for travel if you get proof and referrals from doctors that you need specialist which are not provided in Canada. So do your research and you will be surprised what you will get reimbursed. Doctors will help you if you do all the leg work.
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