Home / Health / Manitoba Man Gets Partial Surgery Reimbursement After Long Battle
Manitoba Man Gets Partial Surgery Reimbursement After Long Battle
22 Jul
Summary
- Manitoba Health partially reimbursed a man $23,908.99 for out-of-country surgery.
- The province previously refused to cover the $77,000 spinal fusion surgery costs.
- The reimbursement followed a meeting with the Health Minister in May 2026.
A Manitoba man, Tom Molinski, 69, has received a partial reimbursement of $23,908.99 from Manitoba Health for a spinal fusion surgery he underwent in Germany in 2024. This reimbursement, covering approximately one-third of the $77,000 cost, was granted after a meeting with Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara in May 2026.
Molinski's decision to seek surgery abroad stemmed from years of debilitating spinal pain and significant barriers within the provincial healthcare system, including issues with assessment and long wait times. His condition severely impacted his quality of life, preventing him from performing basic daily activities.
Despite receiving a positive prognosis from external opinions, Molinski did not obtain the necessary pre-approvals from Manitoba Health, leading to an initial denial of his expense claim. The Manitoba Health Appeal Board later reviewed his case, acknowledging the "deeply concerning" navigation of the system and the urgent need for surgery.
Following the Appeal Board's recommendation in late 2025 to consider reimbursement, Molinski continued to face rejections from Manitoba Health. The eventual partial reimbursement signifies a resolution to a lengthy and stressful process, though the exact calculation of the reimbursed amount remains a point of inquiry for Molinski.
