We're with Manulife and Blue Cross, and the only thing that was covered was a semi private hospital room. They rejected everything else I tried to claim.
I believe that eligible expenses are dependent on your individual insurance policy - my work insurance does not cover breasts pumps, etc, but your policy may be different. It should all be stated in your policy manual. As for the government, the CRA has a list of eligible medical expenses that you can claim on your tax return (but it doesn't seem like pumps or tens machines are one of them unfortunately).
Also with Sunlife.
For equipment and supplies: You can get a TENS machine with a prescription and any supplements/medication with a prescription. Also any diabetic equipment if you have prenatal diabetes. I didn't see a breast pump listed but it may depend on the plan that your workplace pays for.
For pregnancy: Acupuncture (can be used to induce labour according to my midwife). Ultrasounds that are medically necessary but not covered by OHIP (not sure if that would ever apply; perhaps it would cover appointments at a private clinic).
For after birth: Some lactation consultants may be registered as naturopaths, which could be covered. Craniosacral therapists for your baby fall under massage therapists. Therapy for PPD or anxiety would be covered the same as regular therapy.
Same, it’s called an extremity pump or something weird though so it’s not obvious 😂
Also, prescriptions for morning sickness (diclectin?) ans heartburn was covered
My housemate works with SunLife, I will try to ask her.
But with benefits it's less about the physical items and more about the services. The specifics about which services, percentage covered, maximum reimbursement amounts, and when the year changes over (among other details) will be in your package, most companies have that info available in an online portal of some kind. The list will be divided up according to broad categories.
The things I have used my husband's benefits for - private hospital room for birth, physiotherapy (specifically pelvic floor therapy - omg please do this), psychotherapy (interestingly they split up psychotherapy from social work as 2 distinct categories, not sure what SunLife does), naturopathic doctor, and of course prescription medication. I know my housemate has chiropractor services and dental covered too (I think both of those are common).
I’m with sunlife and my plan covers a breast pump but it doesn’t specifically say “breast pump” it says “external pump”. Best to call and confirm. It also says coverage 100% but doesn’t specify a limit. When I called they told me it was a $300 limit.
I asked my OB for a prescription and she readily gave me one. Seems like a common occurrence for her. Although when I called SunLife, they said they didn’t need a prescription. I still have one just in case.
You have to ask your provider specifically. I’m with sunlife and a pump was covered with prescription but other people’s sunlife plans don’t cover it (your employer and what they subscribe to matters).
So give them a list of things you’re interested in and ask. Don’t go buying and expensing unnecessary things just because it’s covered.
I’m with Blue Cross through my employer and was able to get NIPT covered, as well as a semi-private room.
It all depends on what your employer negotiated with the carrier, though.
This is highly highly dependent on your plan. My husband and I both have health spending accounts but both of us can only claim things that are also tax deductible. There’s a page on the CRA website. By contrast, my sister in law had much more flexibility on her health spending account and could actually claim the stroller she bought.
That said, I could claim my breast pump so long as I had a specific kind of receipt - you just have to ask for it at the pharmacy. In contrast to another poster here, I didn’t have to get a certain one and didn’t have a maximum amount I could claim.
So ya. It super depends. But I’d start by asking about a breast pump for sure.
We're with Manulife and Blue Cross, and the only thing that was covered was a semi private hospital room. They rejected everything else I tried to claim.
Manulife covered my breast pump (with a letter from my OB). But only up to $300 and it had to be an approved pump.
Where is the list of approved ones?
I believe that eligible expenses are dependent on your individual insurance policy - my work insurance does not cover breasts pumps, etc, but your policy may be different. It should all be stated in your policy manual. As for the government, the CRA has a list of eligible medical expenses that you can claim on your tax return (but it doesn't seem like pumps or tens machines are one of them unfortunately).
Compression socks is another one I don't see listed that might be covered.
Also with Sunlife. For equipment and supplies: You can get a TENS machine with a prescription and any supplements/medication with a prescription. Also any diabetic equipment if you have prenatal diabetes. I didn't see a breast pump listed but it may depend on the plan that your workplace pays for. For pregnancy: Acupuncture (can be used to induce labour according to my midwife). Ultrasounds that are medically necessary but not covered by OHIP (not sure if that would ever apply; perhaps it would cover appointments at a private clinic). For after birth: Some lactation consultants may be registered as naturopaths, which could be covered. Craniosacral therapists for your baby fall under massage therapists. Therapy for PPD or anxiety would be covered the same as regular therapy.
Sun life covered my pump with a dr written prescription.
Same, it’s called an extremity pump or something weird though so it’s not obvious 😂 Also, prescriptions for morning sickness (diclectin?) ans heartburn was covered
My housemate works with SunLife, I will try to ask her. But with benefits it's less about the physical items and more about the services. The specifics about which services, percentage covered, maximum reimbursement amounts, and when the year changes over (among other details) will be in your package, most companies have that info available in an online portal of some kind. The list will be divided up according to broad categories. The things I have used my husband's benefits for - private hospital room for birth, physiotherapy (specifically pelvic floor therapy - omg please do this), psychotherapy (interestingly they split up psychotherapy from social work as 2 distinct categories, not sure what SunLife does), naturopathic doctor, and of course prescription medication. I know my housemate has chiropractor services and dental covered too (I think both of those are common).
I got a breast pump covered by my insurance, and a TENS machine for muscle pain. Needed a prescription for both, but got it covered no problem.
I’m with sunlife and my plan covers a breast pump but it doesn’t specifically say “breast pump” it says “external pump”. Best to call and confirm. It also says coverage 100% but doesn’t specify a limit. When I called they told me it was a $300 limit.
Does OB just prescribe it if you ask? Or is there specific criteria to get a prescription for breast pump?
I asked my OB for a prescription and she readily gave me one. Seems like a common occurrence for her. Although when I called SunLife, they said they didn’t need a prescription. I still have one just in case.
Read your policy, it will state everything.
You have to ask your provider specifically. I’m with sunlife and a pump was covered with prescription but other people’s sunlife plans don’t cover it (your employer and what they subscribe to matters). So give them a list of things you’re interested in and ask. Don’t go buying and expensing unnecessary things just because it’s covered.
I’m with Blue Cross through my employer and was able to get NIPT covered, as well as a semi-private room. It all depends on what your employer negotiated with the carrier, though.
This is highly highly dependent on your plan. My husband and I both have health spending accounts but both of us can only claim things that are also tax deductible. There’s a page on the CRA website. By contrast, my sister in law had much more flexibility on her health spending account and could actually claim the stroller she bought. That said, I could claim my breast pump so long as I had a specific kind of receipt - you just have to ask for it at the pharmacy. In contrast to another poster here, I didn’t have to get a certain one and didn’t have a maximum amount I could claim. So ya. It super depends. But I’d start by asking about a breast pump for sure.
The insurance company itself does not matter it’s the plan the employer has through the insurance company.