An appeals board has ruled that Manitoba should cover the expenses of a spinal surgery performed on a patient in another country due to severe pain and long wait times in the province. The Manitoba Health Appeal Board determined that the patient qualified for urgent surgery but had to pay over $77,000 for the procedure abroad last year as their health rapidly deteriorated.
The board expressed deep concern over the situation and recommended that the patient be reimbursed for medical costs incurred outside the province, including diagnostic procedures, accommodations, and travel expenses. Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara has been given 60 days to respond to the board’s findings, following a meeting in July to address the complaint.
According to the board, the patient, whose identity was not disclosed, initially sought medical attention in 2020 for low back pain caused by lumbar stenosis. However, delays in receiving a referral to the Manitoba Spine Clinic led to prolonged suffering. Despite efforts to manage the pain through swimming, the patient faced multiple assessments and treatments that did not lead to surgery approval.
After enduring mounting frustration and worsening pain, the patient sought surgical options outside of Canada and underwent spinal fusion surgery in another country in October 2024. Manitoba Health had initially denied the reimbursement claim, citing lack of prior approval and confirmation that the procedure was not available locally.
The board questioned the denial, highlighting the patient’s deteriorating health and the significant impact on their quality of life. It emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that conditions such as loss of bowel and bladder function should have warranted immediate attention.
Minister Asagwara’s office is currently reviewing the board’s recommendations to determine the next steps in accordance with provincial legislation and policies. The patient’s case underscores the challenges faced by individuals navigating the healthcare system in Manitoba, particularly in accessing timely and necessary medical care.