RESOURCES
The info you need, all in one place.
Financial Support
Talking about money can be stressful. Our Patient Support team will help to clarify the process and assist in your registration for helpful resources. Take heart: it is our priority that you receive smooth and efficient care throughout each stage of your journey.
Whether you require funding from government agencies, private extended healthcare and/or charitable organizations, we will discuss your options and determine the best route and outcome within your unique situation. If you don’t see your funding listed here, please contact us.
Please note that funding approval must be in place prior to any prosthetic work. This is standard policy with all financial assistance providers as well as our clinic.
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Pharmacare is the main funding source for most individuals who are BC residents. Eligibility to register for Pharmacare is based on a few things. The person who is an amputee has to be a BC resident. Persons with amputations have to be enrolled in the BC Medical Services plan (MSP). As well, a personal income tax return has to have been filed for the relevant year (2 years prior to year of registration) by the amputee or their family/parents/guardians, whichever is applicable.
Funding through Pharmacare is very individual and each person who is an amputee or his or her family will have a deductible. This deductible dollar amount is based on their combined family income. This deductible is for a full calendar year and resets on January 1st of each year. For details please refer to their website below.
General Pharmacare Plan information
Call their Registration Desk at 604-683-7151 or 1-800-663-7100 to register or with any questions about Pharmacare particularly regarding the current status of your deductible.
Please note: Your registration with Fair Pharmacare must be in place before we can apply, provide and bill for any prosthetic care and services for you.
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Individuals, who have become amputees through a workplace accident or incident and have an established and active claim with WorkSafe BC or any other provincial WCB, are eligible for prosthetic care funding. We send in estimates on your behalf and invoice Work safe directly for any prosthetic care we have prior approval for and provide to you. Please make sure you bring along your valid Claim number and Case Manager name and contact number when you visit us.
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As of 2019, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) has partnered with BC-based benefits provider Pacific Blue Cross to process prosthetic claims. In order to apply for funding for all services and/or supplies, a doctor’s prescription is required. Once a prescription is obtained, a predetermination request will be sent to PBC on your behalf before treatment begins.
Please note that if a FNHA client is covered by more than one benefit plan (e.g. provincial or other private benefit plan), claims must be submitted to that plan first, and the FNHA plan second.
Barber Prosthetics Clinic will bill Pacific Blue Cross on your behalf once all services are approved and provided.
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The War Amps of Canada has 3 different funding programs. War Amps is a national Canadian non-profit charitable organization that provides financial assistance, education and advocacy for persons who are amputees in Canada provided they are registered with the organization.
CHAMP PROGRAM (Child Amputee Program)
All children who are born as or become an amputee at any time while they are under the age of 18 are eligible to register with the CHAMPS program. Children must be registered with the program in order to obtain assistance. This is a simple and straightforward application process that can be done directly with the War Amps centre in Ottawa or through the prosthetic clinic on your behalf. CHAMPS is in place to help with funding that the Provincial plans or extended health care plans will not cover. The CHAMP is a CHAMP for life.
ADULT CHAMP PROGRAM
When a CHAMP turns 25, they graduate to Adult Champ status. The rules basically remain the same.
WAR AMPS
Any individual who is a Canadian citizen and becomes an amputee as an adult (at the age of 18 or later) is eligible to register with the ADULT WAR AMPS Program.
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Many people either through their work place, or privately, have access to Extended Health Care benefits through which they may have some prosthetic coverage. All extended health care plans vary greatly in what they may or may not cover with respect to Prosthetics and so it is the responsibility of the patient to inquire about this themselves. This is paramount so you are fully informed of your coverage and so there are no surprises. The best way to do this is to call or email the insurance company, give them your plan and ID #’s and ask for clarification and verification of your prosthetic coverage. Having this in writing is best. Then after having an assessment done by your Certified Prosthetist here, an estimate can be prepared by our office which can submit to your extended health insurance company, along with any other requirements they deem necessary (such as a doctor’s prescription) for prior approval.
Typically, Extended Health Insurance companies require a fully paid receipt for reimbursement. Prior arrangement may be made by the patient for Assignment of Payment with their insurance company if that option is available.
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If you have become an amputee because of a motor vehicle accident and there was no settlement or award, ICBC may be your primary funding source. This has to be determined by the patient and an approval for funding by ICBC must be in place prior to any prosthetic services being provided.
Links & Resources
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The Amputee Coalition of Canada (ACC) was established in 2008 as a non-profit organization. Its goal is to improve and advance the quality of life of persons with limb loss.
The Amputee Coalition of British Columbia is a non-profit society working to provide peer support and visits, participate in research & development, and to take an active role in creating positive change for all persons with disabilities in BC.
The Amputee Coalition of America is a non-profit organization based in Manassas, Virginia. ACA's mission is to empower people with limb loss through education, support and advocacy.
GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre is British Columbia's largest rehabilitation centre. As a free-standing facility with 78 rehabilitation beds, GF Strong provides inpatient and outpatient outreach and clinical support services to clients.
The War Amps is a Canadian nation-wide registered charitable organization operated under the direction of war amputees.
An online village like no other: the disability community’s socialmedia network. Special interest social media sites connecting our community in a revolutionary way.
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The Canadian Board for Certification of Prosthetists & Orthotists (CBCPO) is the regulatory body for the prosthetic and orthotic profession within Canada.
The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is a national trade association committed to providing business services and products to O&P professionals.
Orthotics Prosthetics Canada (OPC) is the representative national organization for the prosthetic and orthotic profession.
ISPO Canada is Canada's National Member Society for the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics. There are currently 51 National Member Societies worldwide.
The AAOP is dedicated to promoting professionalism and advancing the standards of patient care through education, literature, research, advocacy, and collaboration.
The ACPOC is an association of professionals who are involved in clinics providing prosthetic-orthotic care for children with limb loss or orthopaedic disabilities.
The POABC represents a unique profession that combines highly technical skills with compassionate one-on-one care.
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The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 27 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games.
The mandate of BC Disability Sport is to provide and ensure opportunities for every individual in British Columbia who has a disability to reach his or her maximum potential in fitness and competitive excellence.
IWAS remains a vital mechanism in the Paralympic movement through its international pathway from grassroot sport to elite Paralympic inclusion. The IWAS Under 23 World Games and IWAS World Games sees athletes of all abilities from 14 years up to ‘Masters’ (35 years +) participating on an international platform.
The Adaptive Sports Foundation manages the operation and establishment of educational sports programs that encourage people with disabilities to discover new possibilities for the practice of winter sports and summer.
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BC Archery Association
BC Athletics
BC Wheelchair Sports
Badminton BC
BC Wheelchair Basketball Society
CanoeKayak BC
Cycling BC - Para-cycling
Dance - Real Wheels Theatre
Equine Canada - Para-equestrian
Martial Arts - Sirota's Alchymy
Rowing BC
Wheelchair Rugby
Disabled Sailing BC
SwimBC - Paraswimming
Wheelchair Tennis
Triathlon Canada
Triathlon BC
Volleyball (sitting)
Water skiing & Wakeboarding
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Wheelchair Curling
Ice Sledge Hockey
Alpine Skiing & Snowboarding
Para-Alpine Skiing
Cross Country Skiing & Biathlon
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The mission of the ALLELES Design Studio is to provide creative and accessible prosthetic covers for lower limb amputees.
The Alternative Limb Project offers a personal and friendly bespoke service, which provides unique prosthetics to blend in with the body or stand out as a unique piece of art, reflecting the wearer’s imagination, personality and interests.
Explore cool prosthetic covers for amputees & discover the UNYQ scoliosis brace. The UNYQ app enables clinicians to make 3D printed prosthetics & orthotics.
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DIGA enables people with physical disabilities to enhance their quality of life through involvement in gardening.
British Columbia Mobility Opportunities Society (BCMOS) is an independent non-profit society dedicated to enriching the lives of people with significant physical disabilities through wilderness recreation.
CAN works to support full inclusion within communities through education, promotion, and advocacy. Through our website CAN strives to improve access to information for people with disabilities and those within their support systems.
Extremity Games is organized by Athletes with Disabilities Network (ADN), whose mission is to promote a better quality of life by creating opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities.
The One Yoga community offers a supportive, encouraging environment inviting all to open your eyes and look within.
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The prosthetics and orthotics program in BCIT’s school of health sciences prepares students for a rewarding and inspiring career.
The George Brown College Prosthetic & Orthotic programs has been producing professionals for over thirty years. They provide one of two O&P clinical programs and the only O&P technical program in Canada.
The online prosthetics and orthotics research directory from the leading online information resource for orthotics and prosthetics information.
Advancing Orthotic and Prosthetic care through knowledge.
Published quarterly by the AAOP, JPO: Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics provides information on new devices, fitting and fabrication techniques, and patient management experiences.
"Alignment" is issued by the Canadian Association for Prosthetics and Orthotics (CAPO). An annual membership publication, this prestigious resource is the primary source for product and service choices for CAPO’s prosthetist and orthotist members.
The O&P EDGE is an independent publication providing articles on the most recent topics in prosthetics and orthotics.
FAQs
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A prosthesis is an externally applied device designed to replace a missing part of the body or to make a part of the body work better. Diseased or missing eyes, arms, hands, and legs are commonly replaced by prosthetic devices. Generally, most people view a prosthesis as an artificial limb.
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As a new amputee, you will begin the fitting process following a series of rigid casts and application of a compression sock “shrinker” which will help shape your limb in preparation for a prosthetic. This takes an average of 6-8 weeks following surgery. Once your surgeon has given their blessing, we will proceed with making your customized limb.
Read more on “What to Expect” from your prosthetic journey with us.
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Follow-up is as important as the initial fitting. You will need to make several visits for adjustments with the prosthetist as well as training with a therapist. They can help you ease pressure areas, adjust alignment, work out any problems, and regain the skills you need to adapt to life after limb loss.
Tell your prosthetist if the prosthesis is uncomfortable, too loose or too tight, or causing any skin issues such as blisters. Ask questions about things you need or want to do. Communicate honestly about your needs. The more you communicate with your prosthetist and therapist, the better you will be able to succeed with a prosthesis.
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Funding and payment for prosthetic care and devices is unique to each individual amputee. Scroll up to the Financial Support section of this page for more info. If you still have questions, please feel free to call our office and we’d be happy to help.
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Our reserved patient parking is behind our building at 540 SE Marine Drive, Vancouver. The patient parking spots are marked specifically with the name of our clinic, Barber Prosthetics Clinic and as disabled with the placard indicated on the sign. There is also limited parking available in the front on Marine Drive until 3pm and after 6pm. There is also limited parking on St. George’s which is along the side of our building next to the Mr. Lube.
Our back door is our main entrance due to our main reserved parking being in the back. Please feel free to enter through our back door…our back door is really our front door :)
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You will need to bring along your BC Care Card and provide us with all of your contact information, emergency contact information and funding source information. (e.g.. Worksafe Claim number, NIHB Client ID number). A patient intake form and consent forms will be filled out along with the specific funding application forms that are relevant to each individual patient.
BARBER BUDDIES
We are extremely lucky to work with so many amazing patients, many of whom are more than happy to chat with you and offer advice. Let us know if you’d like to connect with a Barber Buddy.