Warts are removed in several ways, such as: electrosurgery which cuts and coagulates the tissue; applying chemicals or extreme cold to the wart; or cutting the wart out and stitching the wound. Liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) is available at Health Services. Multiple applications, at one or two week intervals, may be required. Excision or electrocoagulation are not suitable for the face or around fingernails. Over-the-counter chemical treatments are an option for treating oneself and require persistence. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees when treating warts with any of the above methods. About 1/3 or warts recur no matter what treatment is applied. The best option may be to wait since the body's immune response will eventually result in the wart's disappearance without scarring, risk of infection or pain.
Medical coverage - pay per use services
Ontario Ministry of Health has delisted any services or procedures which are intended "solely to satisfy cosmetic concerns and are not medically necessary for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of illness". Warts are self-limiting viral lesions of the skin and it is not medically necessary that they be removed or treated. Wart removal services are still available to any person who chooses to pay the physician directly.
Exceptions and conditions
This decision does not apply to plantar warts foot, venereal warts or to a patient whose immune system is compromised.
Removal of warts is not covered in Nova Scotia. Conditions for coverage exist in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba (must be medically indicated and not cosmetic) and New Brunswick (the same as the conditions for Ontario).
Fee for removal of warts are not insured by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) or other provincial health plan.
- Wart Assessment with chemical and/or cryotherapy treatment - $35.00
If you wish to have treatment with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) please book an appointment with our Wart Clinic. Patients who are considering excision or electrocoagulation will need to book an appointment with one of Health Services' doctors who do minor office surgery. (Please inquire about cost). Please inform the receptionist of your goal to ensure that the appropriate booking is made for you.electrocoagulation will need to book an appointment with one of Health Services' doctors who do minor office surgery. (Please inquire about cost). Please inform the receptionist of your goal to ensure that the appropriate booking is made for you.
