Insurance
Important Changes to Insurance
Effective January 1, 2002, the Hon. Colin Hansen, Health Minister for the province of BC has issued the following changes to the Medical Services Plan Supplementary Benefits program: Only those MSP beneficiaries with premium assistance status are eligible for a combined annual limit of 10 visits, for physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic, naturopathy and non-surgical podiatry per calendar year. These 10 visits will be partially subsidized by the MSP.
In general, those individuals previously exempt from paying the patient visit charge have premium assistance status. This includes:
- Income assistance recipients
- Convention refugees
- Inmates of BC correctional facilities
- Individuals enrolled with MSP in the ‘At Home Program’
- Residents of long term care facilities who are in receipt of the Guaranteed Income Supplements (GIS)
- Individuals enrolled with MSP as ‘Mental Health Clients’
- First Nations individuals with valid BC Medical Plan coverage, enrolled through the Non-Insured Health Benefits
Program of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada (Note: Services beyond the maximum of 10 combined visits per year are not benefits of the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch).
The eligibility of those for whom MSP premiums are paid by the federal government, such as veterans, varies according to the individual, and can be confirmed at the time of your office visit.
All fees for all other patients, and any premium assistance recipients exceeding these combined 10 visits during the calendar year will be the full financial responsibility of the patient. Payment for all services rendered will be due, in full, upon completion of these services.
Surgical podiatry will remain a partially covered benefit for all MSP beneficiaries. The doctor will be pleased to discuss these details on an individual basis, as they will vary according to the specific procedures performed.
Office
Do I need a referral from my doctor to see a podiatrist?
No. You do not need a referral from your family doctor to see a podiatrist.
What are my payment options?
We accept Interac, Visa, Mastercard and cash.
What are your office hours? Where can I park?
Monday to Thursdays 8AM to 5PM and Fridays 8AM to 1PM. Parking- available on site.
For more information please contact specific offices.
Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
What is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy?
ESWT is a fast and gentle non-surgical method of reducing heel pain. It is derived from lithotripsy, a technique used today to disintegrate kidney stones without the use of invasive surgery. The EMS Swiss DolorClast device delivers pneumatically-generated high pressure shock waves that travel through the skin. Inflamed soft tissue and bone calcifications that receive these high energy pulses will heal stronger without any harm to the surrounding tissue. Electricity is not sent into the body. High energy pulsations of ultrasonic waves stimulate the body’s natural self-healing process.
What are the symptoms of heel pain?
The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. The main sign of plantar fasciitis is pain or stiffness on the bottom of the heel when first standing. The pain is often in the bottom inside edge of the heel, but can occur anywhere. The plantar fascia attaches to the heel. Patients often report that the pain moves around to different areas and can range from a dull ache to a debilitating sharp pain. The condition may come and go or be persistent for many months to years.
What is plantar fascia?
The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band that supports the arch of the foot. It extends as a bowstring from the heel to the ball of the foot.
Why does plantar fasciitis develop?
The plantar fascia is relatively inelastic and does not stretch very well. Increased tension and overuse causes pulling and irritation at its attachment to the heel. This will occur most often in people who have structural problems with their feet, such as high arches or flat feet. Overuse of your feet, such as with those who are required to work long hours walking or standing on hard surfaces, are more likely to suffer from heel pain. Overuse associated with sports such as running, racquet sports and golf may increase your chance of developing heel pain. Weight gain and tight muscles contribute to the tension in the plantar fascia and make you more prone to its irritation. As well, improper shoe gear can encourage poor foot alignment and contribute to heel pain.
What are heel spurs?
Long-standing irritation can cause formation of calcium deposits at the point where the plantar fascia inserts into the heel bone. The result is the appearance of a heel spur on an x- ray. The spur itself is not the cause of the pain.
The terms heel spur syndrome and plantar fasciitis are often used interchangeably in medicine,and the cause and treatment for the conditions are the same.
What is Achilles tendinitis?
The Achilles tendon is the major tendon that attaches the large calf muscle to the heel bone. The back of the heel is the second most common location for heel pain. Achilles tendonitis occurs as pain and inflammation at the insertion of the Achilles tendon. It may also occur as a bursitis often associated with a “pump bump”, or Haglund’s deformity. A palpable soreness or bump may be present on either side of the insertion of the tendon. X-rays will often show spurring and calcification in the tendon. Treatment is aimed at reducing the pressure and inflammation to the area with heel cups, orthotics, medication and physiotherapy. Corticosteroid injections are not recommended.
ESWT has been shown to be a highly effective surgical alternative in the treatment of insertional Achilles tendinitis.
How can a podiatrist help me with heel pain?
A podiatrist is a medically trained specialist who focuses specifically on the medical and surgical disorders of the foot and ankle. Because of their extensive knowledge of the anatomy and function of the foot, podiatrists are best able to evaluate your heel condition.
Your podiatrist will review your medical history, activities, shoes and any prior treatments, including orthotics, and will also conduct an examination of your joints, muscles, legs, feet and gait. Evaluation of x-rays will demonstrate the alignment of the joints and ensure that there are no stress fractures, tumors or other pathology present in the foot. After your examination, you and your podiatrist will discuss the best treatment options for you.
When should I seek medical advice for my heel pain?
Any time you experience pain that persists and is interfering with your ability to enjoy daily activities, you should have your foot examined by a podiatrist.
What treatments are available for heel pain?
The majority of patients who develop heel pain will improve significantly in a short time with a combination of the following conservative treatments.
Controlling the position of the foot through:
proper shoe gear
taping the foot
heel pad
night splints
custom orthotics or arch supports
Reducing inflammation through:
rest
ice
anti-inflammatory medication
injection of corticosteroid medication
acupuncture, massage
ultrasound and physiotherapy
Achieving and maintaining flexibility with:
stretching
range of motion exercises
Who does this treatment benefit?
ESWT is especially beneficial for patients that have chronic heel pain and have not had much success with traditional therapies such as medications, orthotics, injections or physiotherapy. If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, heel spur syndrome or Achilles tendonitis, you should speak to your podiatrist about how ESWT can work for you.
Can anyone receive this treatment?
Your podiatrist can determine if you are a candidate for ESWT. It is reserved for special cases where other methods of treatment did not provide adequate relief of pain. ESWT is a very safe treatment, however it is not recommended for use in heel pain for children, pregnant women or people currently taking medications that inhibit blood clotting.
Does this treatment involve surgery or medications?
ESWT means that there is no surgery, no anaesthesia, no injections and no medication.
What’s involved in the treatment?
The procedure is performed in the comfort of your podiatrist’s office. After an evaluation of your medical history, your podiatrist will carry out a simple manual examination of the painful area. The trigger point, or sore area over the heel, will be located and marked.
Ultrasonic transmission gel is applied to the foot. The ESWT hand piece is then positioned to gently and extensively transmit shockwaves over the injured area. The feedback you provide to your doctor helps determine the fine positioning of the applicator and the measurement of the impulse frequency. Once you are comfortable at a low level, the energy is gradually increased over several minutes.
How long does the treatment take?
A typical treatment session lasts about 5-15 minutes. You will require one session per week for three weeks.
How soon can I expect results?
Most patients will notice improvement after the first treatment, with up to 90% improvement after the third treatment.
How much does it cost?
Currently, in the United States patients are paying up to $3000 for treatments with older technology. We are pleased to be able to offer this treatment to our patients for $140 per treatment.
ESWT is not covered by provincial health care but some private insurance plans provide coverage. Medicard financing service is a fast and convenient way to obtain financing for desired medical procedures not covered by provincial plans.
Do I need a referral from my family physician?
Although many of our patients with long-standing heel pain are referred by their physician, a referral is not necessary. You can simply contact our office directly and make an appointment at your convenience.