Ostomy funding can vary widely depending on factors such as province or insurance plan. There are also a variety of federal programs that can help cover or reimburse costs, or provide tax credits or additional savings plans and grants. Ostomy supply needs also vary per person. Finding the right products and being able to purchase them consistently can drastically improve quality of life. This article will provide direct links to government programs, as well as links to detailed pages on the Ostomy Canada website about applicable benefit programs.
Federal Programs
Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
- For eligible First Nations and Inuit individuals
- Covers medically necessary supplies, not covered provincially or with insurance, including ostomy supplies
- Government of Canada medical surgical equipment and benefits list
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/non-insured-health-benefits-nihb/
Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)
- Provides temporary coverage for refugees, protected persons, and asylum seekers
- Ostomy supplies covered in certain cases
- Government of Canada page
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/interim-federal-health-program-ifhp/
Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP)
- For federal government employees, retirees, and eligible dependents
- 80% reimbursement of colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy supplies
- Public Service Health Care Plan Member Booklet
Canada Revenue Agency – Tax Credits
- Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC)
- Claim unreimbursed ostomy supply costs
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/additional-financial-benefits-with-cra/
- Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
- Having an ostomy qualifies as having a disability, the DTC reduces income tax burden
- Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
- Available to those approved for DTC
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/federal-disability-tax-benefits/
Provincial Programs
British Columbia
- BC PharmaCare
- Covers most ostomy supplies up to regular retail price (excludes dispensing fees)
- Available under certain PharmaCare plans
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/ostomy-supply-reimbursement-in-british-columbia/
Alberta
- Aids to Daily Living (AADL)
- 75% reimbursement up to $500 per year
- After $500 cap: 100% coverage
- Full coverage for low-income individuals under threshold
- Supplies covered details: https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/84ad7b70-d9df-4e2e-9d83-5c5aa63a3d87/resource/c68c04cc-54af-4709-bc39-69283a8cad6c/download/pphs-aadl-apl-m-medical-surgical-2025-07.pdf#page=9
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/ostomy-supply-reimbursement-in-alberta/
- 75% reimbursement up to $500 per year
Saskatchewan
- Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living (SAIL)
- Need to be referred by Enterostomal Therapy (ET) nurse
- 50% cost coverage for eligible clients
- 100% cost coverage for clients registered under the Paraplegia Program
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/ostomy-supply-reimbursement-in-saskatchewan/
Manitoba
- Manitoba Ostomy Program (MOP)
- Basic ostomy supplies covered 100% through Manitoba Health
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/ostomy-supply-reimbursement-in-manitoba/
Ontario
- Assistive Devices Program (ADP)
- $975 per ostomy per year (permanent or long-term ostomies), paid in 2 installments (every 6 months).
- Potential for $1300 per ostomy per year if living in a long-term care home or receiving applicable social assistance benefits (Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Assistance to Children with Severe Disabilities
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/ostomy-supply-reimbursement-in-ontario/
Quebec
- Ostomy Appliances Program (RAMQ)
- Lump-sum annual payments: $1480 for permanent ostomy; $987 for temporary ostomy
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/ostomy-supply-reimbursement-in-quebec/
New Brunswick
- Health Services Ostomy / Incontinence Program
- 100% coverage for residents on social assistance who have no other coverage
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/ostomy-supply-reimbursement-in-new-brunswick/
Nova Scotia
- Generally limited to seniors and low-income individuals, encompasses 3 programs
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/ostomy-supply-reimbursement-in-nova-scotia/
Prince Edward Island
- Ostomy Supplies Program
- Coverage ranges from 60-100% dependent on household income
- Maximum of $2400 per year
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/ostomy-supply-reimbursement-in-prince-edward-island /
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP)
- 2 plans that have ostomy coverage
- 65 Plus Plan
- 75% coverage
- Foundation Plan
- 100% coverage
- 65 Plus Plan
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/ostomy-supply-reimbursement-in-newfoundland-and-labrador/
Yukon
- Chronic Disease and Disability Benefits Program
- Physician or community nurse must apply for you
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/ostomy-supply-reimbursement-in-yukon/
Northwest Territories
- Extended Health Benefits (EHB) Program
- Replaced the Extended Health Benefits for Specified Disease Conditions Program in 2024
- Income based, administered by Blue Cross
- Ostomy Canada Guide (broad overview, disregard the Specified Disease Conditions program): https://www.ostomycanada.ca/ostomy-supply-reimbursement-in-northwest-territories/
Nunavut
- Nunavut offers the Extended Health Benefits (EHB) for those both not covered and not fully covered by federal programs
- Ostomy Canada Guide: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/ostomy-supply-reimbursement-in-nunavut/
Keep in mind that many of the above financial supports can even combine, such as provincial assistance programs and the federal medical expense tax credit.
Source
By Erika Kana, RN, Content Writer, Ostomy Canada Marketing Team.
Hello, I’m Erika. I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. I attended Mount Royal University in Calgary and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. I took my NCLEX licensing exam in December of 2022 and became a registered nurse. I’ve worked as a nurse since and specialize in emergency medicine, with experience in medical-surgical nursing. I hope one day to work in pediatrics or neonatal intensive care nursing and eventually to work as a critical care transport nurse. I have also recently transitioned into the world of health content writing. I specialize in crafting content that simplifies complex medical topics, promotes wellness, and addresses common health concerns. My goal is to empower individuals with accurate and easy-to-understand information. I am also interested in wound, ostomy and continence nursing, which, combined with my love for writing, led me to volunteer with Ostomy Canada. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, hiking, playing with my dog (my beagle puppy), backpacking, doing yoga, running, and spending time with friends and family.
Learn more at https://www.erikakana.com/.
