Alberta teen’s family sues government after nearly $200K out-of-country surgical bill

In 2021, 13-year-old Vienna Pedatella was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis, a condition in which her spine curves like the letter S. Her parents were advised that bracing for 23 hours a day, physical therapy, and strength training were the recommended treatments. However, Vienna's condition worsened, and she was referred to BC Children's Hospital, where they were told she had missed the window for a surgical procedure known as "tethering" that could correct the issue and allow her to maintain an active lifestyle.

The surgeon informed the family that they were too late for that procedure, and Vienna would need spinal fusion, a surgery that involves fusing two or more vertebrae together using metal rods, screws, and bone grafts, which can lead to mobility and flexibility issues. By May 2025, Vienna's spine curve had grown from 40 degrees to nearly 70 degrees, causing significant pain and limiting her mobility.

The family sought care outside of Canada and found a doctor at St. Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick, who recommended anterior scoliosis correction (ASC), a procedure that could preserve Vienna's mobility and allow her to return to full function. They applied for funding from Alberta's Out-of-country Health Services Regulation to cover the cost of the surgery in the United States.

Despite the committee's denial in July 2025, Vienna underwent ASC surgery in August 2025 and paid the $199,074 hospital bill. She quickly returned to full activity, including weightlifting and skiing, and recently graduated high school with honors. The family has now filed a judicial review to seek reimbursement from the government, arguing that Vienna's constitutional rights were violated due to the excessive wait for treatment.