Northern Ont. woman wins fight to have OHIP pay for surgery to remove excess skin
A review board has ruled that Ontario’s health system should pay for surgery to remove a ring of excess fat and skin a northern Ontario woman was left with following weight loss surgery.
Known as a "pannus," it extends as far as three inches around her waist and causes the woman skin irritation, infections, odour and back pain, said the transcript of the Health Services Appeal and Review Board hearing.
After her gastric bypass surgery, the woman’s weight dropped from 248 pounds to 148 and has been stable for more than a year.
Her plastic surgeon submitted an invoice to the province seeking payment for the surgery, but it was rejected.
OHIP said there are three requirements to have the surgery funded: the pannus must be causing health problems, the patient’s weight must be stable for at least six months and the pannus has to extend to the "pubis symphysis," a joint sandwiched between your left pelvic bone and your right pelvic bone.
"The pannus does not extend to a level below the pubis symphysis," OHIP said, in turning down the request.
In her appeal, the woman argued that she needed the surgery not for cosmetic reasons, but for real medical concerns.
"The appellant believes that eligibility for a panniculectomy should not be based on measurement criteria alone, but rather based on medical need, which she believes she meets," the transcript said.
While not ruling on that argument, the board accepted more recent measurements of the woman’s pannus, which found it did extend below her pubis symphysis, making it an eligible surgery under OHIP rules.
"The appeal board finds that the proposed panniculectomy is an insured service … and is eligible for payment," the board ruled.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.