After 10 years of advocacy work by staff and volunteers at the Canadian Celiac Association (CCA) National office, we are pleased to share a new pilot program by the Ontario Ministry of Health will cover the cost of initial blood screening to help diagnose celiac disease (CD) in Ontario at any approved community-based laboratory from November 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022.
What do I do Next?
Step 1: Get Tested.
If you live in Ontario and you think you or a family member have celiac disease and have not yet been formally diagnosed, you must be consuming gluten in order for the test to be accurate. The individual must be over 2 years of age.
- Download our Diagnosis Fact Sheet to bring to your doctor for discussion.
- It is advised you have both the tTg-IgA and total IgA tests.
- Visit your health care practitioner who is eligible to order laboratory tests. This includes medical practitioners, dentists, midwives, registered nurses (extended class) and naturopaths.
- Have a current and valid OHIP Health Card
Step 2: Share the Good News!
Share the news with your friends and family who you think have chosen not to get tested because of cost.
Visit https://www.celiac.ca/celiac-blood-test-covered-by-ohip-for-next-6-months-in-ontario/ for more details.