Travel within Canada requires at least six to eight weeks notice. There are no additional costs to receive dialysis at other units in Canada (with the only exception being private clinics in Quebec). Find a unit near your destination and make arrangements with them for dialysis treatment appointments. Paperwork will have to be completed and your health-care team helps with that. Many of the units have the same standards of care and your care will be similar to care you receive here in Manitoba. The destination unit needs to receive your information in the time they request, or they can refuse to dialyze visitors.

Travel outside of Canada requires longer notice. It is up to you or your family to make initial contact with the dialysis centre to arrange dates for dialysis. At that time you can ask the unit to send transfer forms to us for completion. Tests are often required for this process so allow as much time as possible in advance for this to happen. Units outside of Canada charge various fees that are the responsibility of the patient. Be sure to get the costs or additional fees in writing before hand. You must assume all the costs of the dialysis treatment outside Canada but can provide receipts to Manitoba Health for a set amount of reimbursement, which is usually only a portion of each dialysis treatment.

Research the unit you will be visiting and consider aspects such as their practices and if they reuse any equipment like dialyzers. Your health-care team can give you additional supplies to take with you and can provide letters that indicate why you are carrying these supplies with you through border crossings. Your care team is a great resource – feel free to ask any questions.

There are vacation destinations that specialize in providing dialysis services to their guests such as Camp Dorset in Ontario and various cruise lines and Caribbean resorts.