What does 'Excessive Demand' mean when it comes to Surgeries and Wait Lists?

[oddball2018]

I am in the process of applying for PR and am about to have my medical exam soon.

I have a urological condition that is fairly well managed with self-treatment and the odd 10 minute visit to hospital twice a year. I'm otherwise young (25) and fit, and there is no sign of any long-term damage to my bladder or kidneys.

My specialist here in Canada believes I could opt for a reconstructive surgery that will essentially 'cure' the issue and thinks I'm a good candidate due to being young. It's a slightly serious surgery that would require a hospital stay for a few days and a follow up to remove a catheter a few weeks later. It also might take a while to get as the surgery is very niche and there are only two specialists in Ontario. However, based on what I can find online about prices for this treatment, it should be a one-off and not exceed the cost threshold.

My question is, does potentially being on a wait list for a below cost-threshold surgery count as excessive demand? I know there is a clause about negatively affecting wait times for Canadians, but I was wondering to what extent does this count? It's not at all life-threatening but being on the wait list would put a Canadian behind me (if they asked for it after me).

There are other temporary management options available to me which are cheaper and require a smaller surgery or a quick visit to the clinic - so this is just one path. My urologist has recommended I have it but also isn't rushing me into doing it and said I can take my time until post COVID-19.

A bonus question, if the cost of the treatment was over the $21,000 yearly amount but then wouldn't require more than $100,000 that over the following 5 years, would that be excessive or not?

Thanks everyone, I know you cannot provide solid, lawyer-like advice but I wondered if anyone else had a similar experience.

 

[scylla]

I am in the process of applying for PR and am about to have my medical exam soon.

I have a urological condition that is fairly well managed with self-treatment and the odd 10 minute visit to hospital twice a year. I'm otherwise young (25) and fit, and there is no sign of any long-term damage to my bladder or kidneys.

My specialist here in Canada believes I could opt for a reconstructive surgery that will essentially 'cure' the issue and thinks I'm a good candidate due to being young. It's a slightly serious surgery that would require a hospital stay for a few days and a follow up to remove a catheter a few weeks later. It also might take a while to get as the surgery is very niche and there are only two specialists in Ontario. However, based on what I can find online about prices for this treatment, it should be a one-off and not exceed the cost threshold.

My question is, does potentially being on a wait list for a below cost-threshold surgery count as excessive demand? I know there is a clause about negatively affecting wait times for Canadians, but I was wondering to what extent does this count? It's not at all life-threatening but being on the wait list would put a Canadian behind me (if they asked for it after me).

There are other temporary management options available to me which are cheaper and require a smaller surgery or a quick visit to the clinic - so this is just one path. My urologist has recommended I have it but also isn't rushing me into doing it and said I can take my time until post COVID-19.

A bonus question, if the cost of the treatment was over the $21,000 yearly amount but then wouldn't require more than $100,000 that over the following 5 years, would that be excessive or not?

Thanks everyone, I know you cannot provide solid, lawyer-like advice but I wondered if anyone else had a similar experience.

Answer to your bonus question is yes, it would still be excessive demand. Note that to determine excessive demand, they won't just look at the cost of the surgery itself - they will also factor in the cost of the hospital stay, cost of the specialist consultations, preparatory hospital visits and tests, etc.

Safest option would be to continue the self-treatment and stay off the reconstructive surgery list until after you are a PR.

 

[canuck78]

Assume the condition will be in his file and should also show up in his medical so the surgery could be easily found as a curative treatment. Really depends on the cost of the actual surgery and associated costs like material OR plus staff, any reconstruction materials, any preop scans/tests, etc.. Recovery bed for surgery will be on a surgical ward and not a huge expense especially. 2-3 days is under 5k dependent on the hospital and what type of room. If surgery required ICU post-surgery costs add up quick. Many seem to be able to argue that if treatment is in one year they could use the 100K for 1 year only.