Healthcare
Canada — Healthcare: Average Medical Costs
Permanent residents get medically necessary hospital/physician care free at point of use under provincial health plans, but uninsured visitors, newcomers awaiting coverage, or those needing excluded services pay cash rates: walk-in clinic visits run $100-150 CAD; private-clinic acute-care visits $180-235 CAD; more comprehensive private physician consultations $210-330 per half hour (nurse practitioner: ~$150/half hour); virtual/telemedicine primary-care visits average ~$105 CAD. An unwarranted ambulance call costs roughly $250-300 CAD, while an ICU stay can exceed $10,000/day in provinces like Ontario or British Columbia. Dental and vision care are generally excluded from provincial health plans and are paid privately or through employer insurance; the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) now covers uninsured Canadians with household income under $90,000 on a sliding co-payment scale (100% coverage under $70,000, 60% coverage $70,000-79,999, 40% coverage $80,000-89,999).
Key facts
- Walk-in clinic visit (uninsured): $100-150 CAD; private acute-care visit: $180-235 CAD.
- Private physician consultation: $210-330/half hour; virtual primary-care visit: ~$105 CAD.
- Unwarranted ambulance call: ~$250-300 CAD; ICU stay can exceed $10,000/day (Ontario/BC).
- Dental/vision are excluded from provincial plans; CDCP covers uninsured households under $90,000 income on a sliding co-pay scale (100%/60%/40%).
Costs
- Walk-in clinic visit (uninsured): $100-150 CAD
- Private acute-care visit: $180-235 CAD
- Unwarranted ambulance call: $250-300 CAD
- ICU stay: >$10,000/day (ON/BC)
Common mistakes
- Assuming provincial health coverage applies immediately on arrival — many provinces impose a waiting period (up to 3 months) for new residents before public coverage begins.
- Not arranging private travel/gap insurance to cover the pre-coverage waiting period.