Changing provinces

rainnie76 · June 19, 2013

I was wondering if anyone has had to move provinces right in the middle of the entire process?

I currently live in Ontario, but am looking to move for work. The possibilities right now appear to be Saskatchewan or Alberta. I'm concerned about how I will go about getting my surgery if I move. OHIP will no longer cover me, I don't think. And it'll probably be awhile before the new province will cover me... Any ideas?

DiminishingDawn · July 26, 2013

You will doom yourself. Ontario has one of the quickest systems.

steph-rny · August 12, 2013

In Saskatchewan we have a province sponsored bariatric program but it can take a long time. I have a cousin who did the lap band in Winnipeg for $17000 but I don't have to pay anything here.

You need to reside here for (I think) 6 months then get a family doctor referral. You have to meet certain criteria and go through a 6 month program by meeting with a nutritionist, therapist and exercise therapist. If they approve you its a 4-6 month wait for the surgery.

The time from my referral to acceptance was about 1.5 yrs. From starting the program to my surgery date is 11 months.

I hope this info is helpful.

rainnie76 · August 12, 2013

Very helpful, thank you! I am moving to Saskatchewan next week. I start a teaching job in September. Where do you live in Saskatchewan? I did do some research and saw that there is a program in Regina, but I'm going to be north of Prince Albert, so I'll be quite far away from Regina and would find it hard to make it to meetings there. If there anything in Prince Albert or Saskatoon?

Thanks!!

steph-rny · August 12, 2013

Hi. I just moved to Regina in April for work. Before this I was living in Prince Albert. I grew up in that area, where are you going to teach? What grade? My mom & a few friends are teachers as well.

Unfortunately the program is only in Regina.