Sometimes OHIP is a VERY good thing

Good morning, Everyone:

As most of you, except perhaps the newbies, know, my DS surgery had to be aborted on the operating table when the surgeons discovered I had ovarian cancer that had spread to my abdominal wall and liver.

At the time, they asked my husband for permission to perform a radical omentectomy in order to remove as much of the cancer as possible.

(An omentectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the omentum, a fold of abdominal tissue that contains blood vessels, nerves, lymph vessels, and lymph nodes. For ovarian cancer patients, an omentectomy is usually combined with an oophorectomy to remove one or both ovaries, hysterectomy and salpingectomy to remove the Fallopian tubes.)

My point is, although the cost of the emergency surgery was twice the price of the DS --- almost three times, in fact --- OHIP paid for it.  The DS was to cost about $23,000, while the surgery I had cost $60,000, less the 25% "preferred provider" discount.

I just thought I'd provide this information in case any other OHers find themselves requiring more surgery than expected and wonder who is going to pay for it. For a while there, my husband and I were worried we'd be on the hook for the difference, so to speak.

Cheers,

Denise

That's really good to hear Denise. I think that would have been the lowest of the low for OHIP to make you pay for a lifesaving surgery.
Take care,
Karen

Yes Thank the Gods for OHIP. This is point in case for the health care initiative in the United States. (sorry I am American and it is very an issue near and dear to my heart.) No one should ever have to choose surgery in this day in age on the basis of their income or savings. While I have been in Canada for 10 yrs, Ohip has shelled out for 5 major and 3 minor surgeries for me (none were elective). I was fortunate in the States to have good insurance coverage but everyone knows that good insurance is only as close as the door that swings out at any job.

Lorie

I feel the same way. I've only been here 4 1/2 years. I didn't always have insurance in the states and even when I did, I don't believe an RNY would have been covered.....

Yes, I agree Dee!  I'm so glad everything was covered!

Denise- That's fantastic!!  If it's okay with you- I may post this on another board that's mainly US related people- where there is a big debate about health care in the US.

That being said-- let's talk priorities-  How are you???

Sure, it's okay with me. The U.S. has great health care facilities and people, but it needs to be universal in order to be fair.

D.

I am so glad to hear that, the last thing you need is another thing to worry about.  I am very thankful to OHIP also for this surgery they gave me.  I never could have ever even entertained the thought of having this done without it.  I know they can be butt heads and cause some problems for people but in my case I am thankful for the help.  I swear to you this surgery is saving my life.  I can actually function again.
SO I am very glad you were spared having to add another worry to your list.  You deserve to focus ALL your attention and energies on healing.
Love you my friend
Elizabeth xoxo's

We're so lucky to have a unversal healthcare system.  Although it's not perfect, it allows us to not have to choose between food and shelter and our health.  Hope you're doing well!

While all Universal Healthcare systema are not perfect, I couldn't imagine not having it.  Almost all the time (98%) OHIP is Fantastic!