Patients Need Timely Access to Iron Treatment
In May, Dr. James Kung, MD, FRCPC, Associate Medical Director at Mainline Wellness, spoke to medical professionals in Vancouver and Surrey about navigating barriers for patients to access iron treatment in British Columbia. Mainline sees it as key to continue to collaborate with medical professionals in the lower mainland - collectively working towards overcoming barriers and providing patients with timely access to iron treatment, including IV iron.
We mentioned on our social media profiles that we’d provide an update on these presentations – the waiting game is finally over!
Patients should tune into overall well-being and advocate to have their iron checked. This will help you maintain good health and energy.
Medical Professionals are partners in patient well-being. Mainline sees it as a priority that providers understand how to identify timely access to iron treatment if needed.
During Dr. Kung’s presentations, he shared three easy steps that outline how medical professionals can navigate the barriers, providing patients with timely access to iron treatment in BC.
Don’t have a doctor?
In 2023, Mainline Wellness and Well Health partnered to establish DHAD. As the name suggests, DHAD allows patients to have a free consult with a physician if they believe they are a candidate for IV iron but don't have a GP or their care provider is not comfortable referring for IV iron. Click the button below to request a free consult with an independent specialist from Well Health.
Last summer, Mainline interviewed Well Health's Dr. Sam Gharbi. He spoke about infusion treatment providing a transformational shift in patient wellbeing and in the interview cites strengths and weaknesses in the medical system and why he thinks the ball has been dropped when it comes to treating patients with iron deficiency. Read the candid interview here.
Are you curious about how much it costs to get an iron infusion?
Do you know you need an iron infusion but are worried that your insurance doesn't cover enough of the cost?
Mainline Wellness has created an easy online form to fill out so that you can create certainty around budgeting for treatment*. Fill out the form here.
Patients typically want to know about the breakdown of costs. Here is the information you need:
Mainline offers two types of iron: Iron Sucrose (aka Venofer) and Monoferric. The cost of iron varies and is dependent on the individual patient, considering two things:
1. Pharmacare coverage
2. Insurance (fill out this form to find out how much your insurer will cover)
In addition to the iron cost (dependent on Pharmacare and insurance), there is a clinic fee for the IV administration.
For Iron Sucrose, patients often require several doses. These are administered in doses of 200mg-300mg at a cost of $150/infusion. This covers the facility, clinical/administrative staff, and materials.
For Monoferric, there is a dispensing fee from the pharmacy. Monoferric can be administered in one infusion, so the one-time clinic fee is $250.
*If a referral has not yet been submitted to Mainline Wellness, a coverage percentage rather than the exact dollar amount will be provided.
If you are training for an athletic endeavor (race, walk, hike, bike etc.) and want to share your progress with us on social media, please reach out to us here! We are looking to celebrate our Mainline community and shine a light on personal accomplishments
About Mainline
Mainline’s mission is to offer fast, safe, friendly, and comfortable iron infusion services for patients and referring physicians across the Lower Mainland. By reducing wait-times and providing timely access, the Clinic aims to boost patient well-being and overall physical health while decreasing the burden placed on hospital infusion services.
Do you have questions about iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia? Email Mainline Wellness at info@mainlinewellness.ca
Do you think you might be iron deficient?
Here are some symptoms to look for:
Low energy
Chronic napping
Pale skin
Heavy or irregular periods
Cold hands and/or feet
Restless legs
If you experience any of these symptoms, you may have low iron or be anemic. Make an appointment with your health care provider to get your iron checked. Taking steps to treat iron deficiency and anemia is simple. If you have questions or wish to find out more about how an iron infusion may help to address iron deficiency and anemia, the team at Mainline Wellness is happy to help and can be reached by phone at 604-876-2344 or email at info@mainlinewellness.ca.
How Does Mainline Wellness Fit In?
At Mainline Wellness, we are focused on improving the awareness and understanding of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in Canada to help more patients get the help they need – preoperative or otherwise.
We are committed to offering safe, timely, and accessible ER physician and nurse supervised iron infusions. Speak to your healthcare provider to see if iron infusions may be helpful for you. Treatment can begin within one week.
Our Locations
Vancouver
672 Leg in Boot Square
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4B4
by Appointment Only
Phone: 604-876-2344
Mainline Vancouver is accessible by pedestrian traffic only. Street parking is available nearby, and parking lots are accessible from these streets:
- Cambie Street (7 minute walk)
- 2nd Ave (3 minute walk)
- Moberly Road (1 minute walk)
Surrey - Now Open!
Suite 301, 9639 137A Street
City Center 2
Surrey, BC V3T 0M1
by Appointment Only
Phone: 604-900-7007 Ext. 100
Mainline Surrey is located in City Centre 2, immediately adjacent to City Centre 1 at the heart of the Health and Technology District in Surrey, British Columbia. We are on the 3rd floor, Suite 301, within iScope.
Patient Safety
Our clinic is run according to the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons Class 3 Facility Safety and Equipment guidelines.
All clinical staff have active Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification and years of experience working in urban emergency departments.