From the Research
Yes, the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) test is covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). OHIP covers several types of H. pylori testing including blood tests, stool tests, breath tests, and endoscopic biopsies when ordered by a physician or nurse practitioner. These tests are important for diagnosing H. pylori infection, which is a common bacterial infection that can cause gastritis, peptic ulcers, and is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. The coverage includes both initial diagnostic testing and follow-up testing to confirm eradication after treatment. To access this coverage, patients need a requisition from their healthcare provider and should present their valid OHIP card at the testing facility. No additional fees should be charged for these tests when performed at OHIP-covered facilities. Testing is particularly recommended for individuals with symptoms such as persistent stomach pain, bloating, nausea, or those with a history of peptic ulcers.
Key Points to Consider
- The most recent and highest quality study 1 highlights the importance of detecting H. pylori infection and antibiotic resistance, which can be achieved through non-invasive methods such as stool quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis.
- The choice of testing method should be based on several factors including patient age, presenting symptoms, and medication use, as well as test reliability, availability, and cost 2.
- It is essential to test for eradication after treatment, as untreated H. pylori is associated with serious complications including peptic ulcer disease, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and gastric cancer 2.
- Proton pump inhibitors and antacid therapy can affect the accuracy of H. pylori tests, and patients should be advised to stop taking these medications for a certain period before testing 3.
Recommendations for Testing
- Patients with symptoms such as persistent stomach pain, bloating, nausea, or those with a history of peptic ulcers should be tested for H. pylori infection.
- The choice of testing method should be individualized based on patient factors and test characteristics.
- Follow-up testing should be performed after treatment to confirm eradication of the infection.