Healthcare System in Canada

In 2024, Canada ranked 4th among countries with the best healthcare systems, according to CEOWORLD magazine. Canada consistently ranks among the top countries due to its high healthcare standards and universal access to medical services. This is reflected in the high life expectancy and overall public satisfaction with the healthcare system.

The quality healthcare system is one of the reasons why there are so many long-lived people in the country. The average life expectancy in Canada is 83.11 years (81.6 years for men and 83.8 years for women).

Public and Private Clinics

Healthcare services in Canada are divided into primary and secondary care. Primary healthcare services include basic emergency care, prevention and treatment of injuries and common illnesses, hospital referrals and specialist care, pregnancy monitoring and primary childbirth care, and rehabilitation services. When Canadians get sick or injured, they first go to their family doctor. If a specialist consultation is needed, the general practitioner refers the patient to a specialized hospital, which is considered secondary medical care.

Most clinics in Canada are public and provide services for free through the public healthcare system, which is funded by taxes. The Canada Health Act sets national standards. i.e., criteria and conditions that provinces and territories must meet to receive government funding.

The best public hospitals in Canada are located in major cities such as Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver:

• Toronto General Hospital, Toronto;
• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto;
• Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto;
• North York General Hospital, Toronto;
• Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal;
• Montreal General Hospital – McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Montreal;
• Jewish General Hospital, Montreal;
• Unity Health Toronto – St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto;
• Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver;
• Toronto Western – University Health Network, Toronto.

There are also about 900 private clinics in Canada, typically managed by doctors or surgeons themselves. Most private clinics charge patients fees. Procedures performed at these clinics include regular check-ups, MRIs, surgeries, dentistry, diet therapy, counseling, and therapy. Unlike public hospitals, many private facilities don't offer overnight stays. For example, British Columbia laws prohibit patients from staying in private clinics for more than 24 hours.

Cost of Medical Services in Canada

Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as well as some international students and professionals with work permits, can apply for public health insurance in their province or territory and receive treatment in government-funded hospitals at no charge. However, some provinces may have a waiting period of up to three months before coverage begins. During this time, private insurance can be used.

For these categories of patients, medical care is free or partially free, as expenses are covered by federal and provincial budgets funded by taxes.

However, foreign residents and recent immigrants without health insurance must pay for medical services. The cost of a one-day hospital stay can reach 4,000 CAD.

Approximate inpatient treatment fees in Ontario for uninsured patients (data from Queensway Carleton Hospital, Ottawa)

Types of Private Clinics

Concierge clinics are facilities in major cities that offer quicker access to doctors and longer consultations than public clinics. Concierge clinics charge membership fees that can reach thousands of dollars per year. For example, in Alberta, mixed medical services cost 1,775 CAD per year, plus 600 CAD for an MRI. In British Columbia, a comprehensive health assessment costs 1,850 CAD, with annual fees ranging from 895 to 3,495 CAD. In Ontario, prices range from 1,500 to 4,000 CAD per year. In Quebec, doctor's visit fees are measured in minutes and range from 95 to 320 CAD. Urgent visits cost more, and an annual medical test costs 400 CAD.

MRI fees at private clinics typically range from 800 to 900 CAD. The cheapest MRI services are in Quebec (600-750 CAD for basic scanning) and can sometimes exceed 950 CAD in Alberta and British Columbia. Scanning additional body parts can add 500 CAD or more to the price.

Diagnostic clinics charge patients 800-1,000 CAD for scanning plus additional fees for extra body parts. Cataract surgery clinics charge patients from 100 CAD for a single eye examination, with eye surgery costs ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 CAD or more. In some cases, surgery costs can reach up to 5,000 CAD or more per eye, especially if premium lenses and other additional services are used. Orthopedic surgeries also require significant patient expenses, often amounting to several thousand dollars.

If you don't want to pay thousands of dollars for medical services in Canada, get health insurance. Read in the second part of the article about who is eligible for free state insurance and what it covers.