Welcome

Welcome to

The Canadian Skin Patient Alliance

We are a national non-profit organization that improves the health and wellbeing of people across Canada affected by skin, hair, and nail conditions through collaboration, advocacy, and education

Welcome

Welcome

Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance, Lymphedema Association of Ontario, and Scleroderma Atlantic

to our Affiliate Membership program!
We look forward to collaborating with you!

SE Tool kit

Self Empowerment Toolkit

Check out the CSPA's Self-Empowerment Toolkit, a series of resources to educate, guide, and support skin, hair, and nail patients and those around them. Explore our first resource, a guide for talking to kids and youth about your skin condition!

Learn More

AD Report

Atopic Dermatitis Report

CSPA collaborated with Eczéma Québec on a new report, The Skin I'm In: A national report of the patient and caregiver experience with atopic dermatitis, 2022 Update, to further understand the lived experiences of people with eczema and their loved ones across Canada.

Read the Report

Is My Prescription Covered?

The CSPA is proud to launch a new tool "Is My Prescription Covered?". This is a free and interactive drug coverage finder that will allow everyone in Canada to find out if their medication is covered.

Answer a series of yes or no questions and find out if your prescription is covered.

Use the tool

Skin Patient Charter

Skin Patient Charter

To live without fear.
Without discrimination.
With dignity and respect.

Rights protect us all.
Your skin protects you.
This charter protects you and your skin.

Find Out More

Derm of the Year

Dermatologist of the Year

The CSPA is proud to announce Dr. Yuka Asai as our Dermatologist of the Year for 2021. Congratulations, Dr. Asai!

Find Out More

Spotlight

SPOTLIGHT: Hazel's Story

We proudly honour Hazel Booth with the Tanny Nadon Caregiver Award. Hazel has supported her sibling, a burn survivor, for more than 28 years! Watch their video; see why Hazel is so special and deserving.

Watch the Video

Volunteer

A Volunteer Story

We are grateful for all of our wonderful CSPA volunteers! Click below as we focus in on a conversation with Educational Resource Developer, Harleen Cheema.

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Acne Report

The Canadian Skin Patient Alliance (CSPA) and the Acne and Rosacea Society of Canada are proud to launch Breaking Out: A report on the acne patient experience, to contribute to the knowledge of the lived experiences of people in Canada with acne

Learn More

Send this letter to your HR Manager

Fill out the form below which will send the letter directly to your HR Manager. Double check that you’ve got your Manager’s correct email address. If you don’t know who your HR Manager is, contact your organization’s HR department and ask for the name and email of the person who liaises with the insurance company.

Your Province(*)

Please select a province

Your Name(*)

Please enter at least your first name.

Your Email Address(*)

Please enter a valid email address

HR Manager’s Name(*)

Please enter at least your manager's first name.

HR Manager’s Email Address(*)

Please enter your manager's email address so we can send them your letter!

Insurance Carrier - (if you know it)

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Because no two patients are the same, we strongly encourage you to add your own personal story to the letter before sharing it. It helps to explain the impact that psoriasis has had on your life and work; how it affects you emotionally and physically; tell them about how much medication and treatment have helped – or not. Help your HR Manager understand why managing the condition is so important to you, their employee, and the work you do every day.

Email Subject Line: Help Protect Employees: Please Read

Message Body (be sure to READ THIS letter, insert your company name, and feel free to edit the letter as you see fit)

I have psoriasis, I’m an employee at XX INSERT COMPANY NAME XX, and I am asking for your help. I recently learned that some medical insurance companies are putting a tiered pricing strategy in place that can directly impact the ability of people with psoriasis, like me, to get the medications we need to manage symptoms and live a full, active life.
For me to perform at my best both at work and home, it’s important that my symptoms are managed properly. Psoriasis is a serious, chronic disease that causes red patches and flaking silvery scales to appear on my skin. It affects every aspect of my life, and as much as I try not to let it get me down, sometimes I feel shame and embarrassment because of the effect psoriasis has on my appearance. 
Tiered pricing hurts patients by prioritizing a medication based on cost while restricting access to others. This means that my medication will only be covered if it is a first tier, or Tier-1, medication. Otherwise, I’ll have to pay for it on my own.  Because some treatments can cost more than $20,000 a year, I’m worried that I won’t be able to afford the treatment prescribed by my doctor.  
Please tell our medical insurance provider that it’s important for employees to get the medication that their doctor determines is best for them.  
Insurers need to understand that every patient has a unique experience and medical history, and that every treatment has benefits, drawbacks, and possible side effects. My dermatologist has the expertise to determine which treatment will keep me healthiest, and we shouldn’t let our medical insurance provider take medical decisions out of the hands of the doctors who care for us.
What many people don’t realize is that psoriasis is also associated with other serious health conditions like diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. Before our insurer implements any changes that negatively impact employees’ health and ability to work, please explain that for our organization to thrive, its employees must have access to the treatments that help them and that a tiered pricing strategy will negatively impact those choices.
I understand that as an organization we need to effectively manage costs and that managing our health benefits is important. Undeniably it is a tough juggling act. This trend towards tiered pricing might seem enticing, but for the employees you represent, it comes with a huge price. Tiered treatment can mean no treatment. Good for the insurer, but not good for the employees or for our organization.
Thank you for looking into this matter on my behalf and on behalf of all employees who grapple with a disease that requires access to medications.
Thank you,

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Learn About Skin Conditions

Current Affiliates

A number of organizations work together with us to improve the lives of skin patients and their families in Canada.

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Magazine

The three issues produced each year provide information you can use to help you with your skin condition or that of your loved ones.

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Contact Us

G303-851 Industrial Ave.,
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 4L3
Phone: 613-224-4266
Toll Free: 1-877-505-CSPA (2772)
info@canadianskin.ca
Fax: 1-877-294-1525


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