Who qualifies

To qualify, you must:

  • be an Ontario resident
  • have a valid Ontario health card
  • have a disability requiring respiratory equipment and supplies for 6 months or longer (exception: infants at risk of sudden infant death syndrome who require apnea/cardiorespiratory monitors)

Who does not qualify

You do not qualify, if you:

  • already qualify for or are receiving support from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board for the same respiratory equipment and supplies
  • are a Group “A” veteran and already qualify for or are receiving support from Veterans Affairs Canada for the same respiratory equipment and supplies
  • are a patient of an acute or chronic care hospital
  • are a resident of a long-term care home (exception: long-term care home residents can receive funding for Positive Airway Pressure systems)

What is covered

Through the Assistive Devices Program (ADP), we help you cover the cost of:

  • apnea/cardiorespiratory monitors
  • medication compressors (stationary and portable)
  • high output air compressors
  • airway clearance devices
  • Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) systems, including
    • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) systems
    • Auto-Titrating Positive Airway Pressure (APAP) systems
    • Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (BPAP) systems
  • suction devices (stationary and portable) and the supply items used with the device
  • tracheostomy equipment and supplies, including
    • tracheostomy tubes
    • speaking valves
    • supply items used with the tracheostomy

We do not cover the costs of:

  • dental/oral appliances for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
  • high-frequency chest wall oscillation airway clearance device
  • humidifier (standalone)
  • peak flow meter
  • replacement masks, headgear, etc. for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines
  • Adaptive Servo-Ventilator (ASV)
  • spirometers (including micro-spirometers)
  • stethoscopes
  • valved-holding chambers or spacer devices (the Ontario Drug Benefit Program provides assistance for these devices)

Replacements

You can apply to replace respiratory equipment if:

  • your medical condition has changed and the equipment no longer meets your needs
  • the equipment is worn out, no longer covered by warranty and repairs cannot be made at a reasonable cost

We do not cover costs to replace lost equipment or supplies, nor for repairs to equipment damaged through misuse or neglect.

How much is covered

We cover 75% of the ADP price for respiratory equipment, including cardiorespiratory monitors, suction devices, medication compressors, high output air compressors, airway clearance devices, and PAP systems. We pay our portion directly to the business that sold you the equipment.

You must pay 25% of the ADP price, directly to the business that sold you the equipment.

We cover 100% of the ADP price for the above respiratory equipment, if you receive financial assistance from one of these programs:

Tracheostomy equipment and supplies, and suction device supplies

For these supply items, you can apply to receive an annual grant. It is paid out in 4 installments, as follows:

  • $180 per year ($45 paid every 3 months) for portable/stationary suction machine supplies
  • $900 per year ($225 paid every 3 months) for tracheostomy tubes
  • $420 per year ($105 paid every 3 months) for speaking valves
  • $1,500 per year ($375 every 3 months) for other tracheostomy supplies

You must pay any costs over these amounts.

Getting additional coverage

We provide additional coverage for these supply items, if you receive financial support from one of these programs:

If you are in one of these programs, we pay:

  • $240 per year ($60 paid every 3 months) for suction device supplies
  • $1,200 per year ($300 paid every 3 months) for tracheostomy tubes
  • $560 per year ($140 paid every 3 months) for speaking valves
  • $2,000 per year ($500 paid every 3 months) for other tracheostomy supplies

You must pay any costs over these amounts.

Apply for respiratory equipment and supplies

Follow these 3 steps to apply:

Step 1: Get examined

You must be examined before you can apply to the ADP. The examination is to confirm that you need the equipment and supplies, and you meet any additional medical eligibility criteria.

The person examining you will complete their section of the application form.

See your doctor or a nurse practitioner for an examination if you need:

  • apnea/cardiorespiratory monitor
  • portable or stationary medication compressor
  • high output air compressor
  • airway clearance devices
  • suction devices and supplies
  • tracheostomy equipment and supplies

See a doctor at a sleep clinic registered with the ADP if you need a:

  • continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system
  • auto-titrating positive airway pressure (APAP) system
  • bi-level positive airway pressure (BPAP) system

We can help you find a registered sleep clinic. Email us at adp@ontario.ca for a list of clinics near you.

Step 2: Find a business that sells respiratory equipment and supplies

You must purchase your respiratory equipment (including apnea/cardiorespiratory monitors, suction devices, medication compressors, high output air compressors, airway clearance devices and PAP systems) from a business that is registered with the ADP. Your doctor or nurse practitioner can help you find an equipment business using the table below. This business will fill out their part of the application form.

You can purchase your respiratory supplies (including tracheostomy supplies, suction supplies, and speaking valves) from any retailer. The retailer from which you purchase your supplies does not need to be registered with the ADP.

 

Step 3: Have the business submit the completed application form

Once your application form is completed, the business that sold you the equipment will submit the form to the ADP on your behalf.

What happens next

We aim to review your application within 8 weeks of receiving it.

If your application has been denied, you will receive a letter from us telling you the reason for the denial and how you can follow up, including appealing our decision.

It is important to follow steps 1 to 3 above before purchasing your respiratory equipment. If you order or buy your respiratory equipment before these steps have been completed, you will be responsible for paying the full cost.

If your application is approved

If your application is approved, we will notify the business that sold you your equipment. You will then be able to pick up your equipment, after paying your 25% share of the price.

For tracheostomy equipment and supplies, or the supply items used with your suction device, we’ll send you the first payment within 30 days of the date your application was approved.

When purchasing these supplies, you pay the full cost to the retailer of your choice from the set amount you received from the ADP.

How to renew

For your tracheostomy equipment and supplies, or the supply items used with your suction device, once you are approved the first time, you have to renew with the ADP every 2 years to continue receiving this financial help for your supplies.

We will send you a renewal form near the 2 year anniversary date of your original application. Complete and return the form to us as soon as possible, by:

Email: adp@ontario.ca

Fax: 416-327-8192

Mail: Assistive Devices Program
5700 Yonge Street, 7th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M2M 4K5

Receiving payments

You can have payments directly deposited into your bank account. Fill out and submit this form to us to set up direct deposit.

Otherwise, payments will be made by cheque mailed to you. Payment by direct deposit is faster, more secure, and less likely to be delayed by factors outside of ADP’s control.