Problems getting vitamin A and D tested in Ontario

Hi all,

To make a long story short, I had my surgery in Quebec and live in Ontario.  My surgeon sent me the requisition for my 3 month labs but my family doctor just called and said she wasn't allowed to request my vitamin A and vitamin D levels to be checked.  Anybody run into that problem?  If so, how did you get around it?

Renee

I dont know about Vit A, but for Vit D, OHIP doesnt cover the test anymore unless you have a specific condition that causes malabsorption issues. If you wanted it tested just to check, you would have to pay for it.

Michelle

RNY will qualify you for these tests..

Did she say why?... I just had my 6 month labs done and had both checked no problem .... Make sure they check the box that says you qualify for ohiP coverage because of the mabsorbsion from the RNY

Dee, did you get your blood work done at a hospital?  I have seen some say the A is only covered if done at their hospital and others have had to pay for it when done in a lab outside the hospital.

Nope my GP did it on October 31 he requested the tests and I just got the final result on November 15 (or that's when the clinic received it) ...so this is REALLY recent 

You can get them tested but you may have to pay for those tests.  The only way around the D is they have to indicate that you have had wls and put down mal-absorptive or something like that.  The doctor should know what she has to write to get the D covered.  I don't think there is a way to get the A covered and you may have to self pay for that one but if you have benefits, your insurance company may cover any blood tests not covered by OHIP.

Your physician must write malabsorption or insured on the lab req for Vitamin D test to be covered.

Other Vitamin/mineral levels like Thiamine (B1), Pyridoxal Phosphate (B6), Vitamin A (Retinol) may not be covered if you go to an external lab. Each of those tests can cost $50.00 and up. My insurance plan at work (Manulife) used to reimburse me 85% of the cost of those tests but they will no longer do that.

I don't do all of those tests every 6 months anymore. I do one each time and save the receipt and claim it on my income tax as a medical expense.

Linda

Just checked my lab req as I had my check up last week.  Vit A and D are checked off under the other tests and up at the top of my form in the box that states Additional Clinical information it states "Post OP  Bariatric Surgery"  I have yet to pay for any tests. OHIP has covered and I usually go to "Lifelabs"  Also the box that is specific for Vit D ( right side of lab req) is also checked off as "insured-meets OHIP eligibilty criteria.......malabsorption....

Your doctor should be checking that box off.

These are insured, at either a hospital or a private clinic, so long as you have a reason for them to be. Your doc just needs to write in "bariatric surgery" or "history/risk of deficiency" and check the 'insured' box. I get both of these tested every 3 months because I had deficiencies in both and keep a close eye on the levels now that they are normal again. When I give the requisition to the tech, I just advise them that my A and D are both covered due to a history of deficiency and if there are any problems they can call my doctor's office. I've never had a problem.