Outage notice:

Due to the global information outage that occurred this morning, Athena is taking swift action to respond, recover and restore our operations. We appreciate your patience as we work toward returning to normal operations.


Ministry of Health Guidelines

Ministry of Health Out of Country Services Programs: Resource Guide

Each province has its own process for approving medically necessary services rendered outside Canada. It is the responsibility of the ordering physician/genetic counselor to obtain approval, from the appropriate Ministry of Health administering body, for Athena Diagnostics testing services. An MOH letter of approval is required before testing begins.

The table below is provided for reference only.

Province Prior Approval? Governing Body Provincial Out of Country
Services Program Information
Alberta Yes Out of Country Health Services Committee (OOCHSC)
British Columbia Yes Ministry of Health, Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Manitoba Yes Manitoba Health, via the Out-of-Province Genetic Testing Committee
  • Contact the Winnipeg Sciences Centre. Only medical geneticists at the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre may order molecular diagnostic testing services
New Brunswick Yes New Brunswick Medicare or the Regional Health Authorities
Newfoundland & Labrador Yes Newfoundland Medical Care Program
Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island Yes District Health Authorities & the IWK
Ontario Yes Ministry of Health & Long Term Care (MOHLTC)
Quebec Yes Régie de L’Assurance Maladie (RAMQ or Régie)
Saskatchewan Yes Ministry of Health, Medical Services Branch