Paliative care coverage in BC
Hi, Ive got a question regarding palliative care expense coverage in British Columbia... I'm sure each Province is different.
What exactly is it (PC)... Ive asked my GP, Substitute Oncologist (mine is on a 6 month hiatus) pharmacists and the BC cancer Agency Counsellor (this is supposed to be her job) and I still cant get a straight answer from anyone. I been sort of told that once I was put in the palliative care program all medications in regards to cancer & tx side effect were supposed to be of no cost to me.. including OTC meds. I'm new to this right now and would like to know how I go about this, and what I'm supposed to do. (or the Dr)
As it stands now, nothings happening... Ive been paying for any meds that my DH's extended medical doesn't cover (being retired it has a lifetime cap and I don't want to use it up as he may need it in the future). Is there a certain protocol that Dr's are supposed to follow when they write me a prescription? Or is there something that I'm supposed to do?
It gets quite frustrating when you cant get a straight answer out of anyone in the medical system. So if anyone has some advise for me it would be greatly appreciated.
Hugs Suz
Comments
-
Have you tried getting in touch with the BC Cancer Agency, they were really good with information once I called them, they are mainly volunteers, but there is usually at least one employee there who can answer questions. I'm sorry that you haven't been able to get any answers, I found that the medical personel are lacking. I just reread your request & see that you've already tried this.
I found this http://www.hospicebc.org/ & also this http://www.vch.ca/your_health/health_topics/home_hospice_palliative_care/hospice_palliative_care (sorry I don't know how to make it a short link) I'm assuming because you're in Vancouver that you are with coastal health authority. There are a number of links on the right side on the last link. I hope this helps some, it's sometimes so difficult to get information. If I can help in any other way, please don't hesitate to ask.
-
Thanks Mfrog - I just noticed your post today. I'll have a closer look at the link when i get on a different computer... huge grrrr as I dropped my laptop so have resorted to using my really old one & its shuts down on me constantly. Once the post christmas rush is over I'll have to look into getting it fixed or buy a new one (it was just a over a year old) Thats what I get for leaving it on the arm of my lazyboy. Really appreciate the information & research you did!
Hugs Suz
-
My Mom worked in Palliative in White Rock's hospital (volunteer). As far as she knew, the drugs administered were paid for by the hospital. That's when you're in the hospital.
Don't know if it's the same if you're at home. I don't want to die at home and leave that mess for someone else to clean up!! How could my DH want to be in the same room that I died in? I've been with both my parents when they died and there were bodily functions and other procedures that I really wish I never saw. And THAT was in the hospital hospice!! At home, it would have been up to me to clean them up or suction out the mucus in their throats. You can't wait for the service to show up to do those kinds of things.I know some women say they'd feel honoured to do those functions, but seriously, I'd rather not have had to wipe my Dad's butt. A memory I don't want to have to have. I was very impressed with the hospital hospice. I'm sure private centres would be as caring, but then again, does provincial insurance cover what needs to be covered at a private centre?
-
Hi Suz, sorry I didn't see this sooner. My husband recently started on palliative care (or early palliative care as I like to think of it. He's still under active treatment, but needs some home support). PM me if you'd like to talk about the program or just stuff. I've spent my share of time hanging out on the sixth floor at BCCA (Van) with my husband lately. Maybe we've seen each other.
I'm assuming you've found answers to your questions by now, but in case anyone else is interested, under the BC Palliative Care Benefits Program many meds, including otc, are provided at no cost, but not everything, sleeping pills, for example, are not.
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/outgoing/palliative.html
Kathy
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team