Medical Tourism for Canadians: Why 105,000 Patients Left for Care Abroad Last Year

An estimated 105,529 Canadians travelled outside the country for non-emergency medical treatment in 2025, according to the Fraser Institute's annual "Leaving Canada for Medical Care" report. That figure represents a 66% increase over the previous decade. With the national median wait from GP referral to treatment sitting at 28.6 weeks, more Canadian patients than ever are bypassing provincial wait lists and paying out of pocket for timely care abroad.

This guide covers what is driving that trend, what provincial health insurance does and does not cover when you leave the country, which procedures Canadians most commonly seek abroad, and how to plan a medical trip safely.

How Long Are Canadians Actually Waiting for Care?

The median wait between a GP referral and receipt of treatment in Canada reached 28.6 weeks in 2025, the second-longest wait ever measured and 208% longer than the 9.3 weeks recorded when the Fraser Institute began tracking in 1993. That number breaks down into two stages: 15.3 weeks from your family doctor's referral to a specialist consultation, and another 13.3 weeks from the specialist to your treatment date, according to the Fraser Institute's "Waiting Your Turn" report.

National averages hide dramatic provincial variation. Patients in Ontario wait a median of 19.2 weeks. In New Brunswick, the median stretches to 60.9 weeks, well over a year.

Certain specialties face even longer delays. Orthopaedic surgery patients wait a median of 48.6 weeks. Neurosurgery averages 49.9 weeks. Ophthalmology sits at 31.8 weeks. The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) tracks whether procedures meet recommended benchmarks: in 2024, only 68% of hip replacements and 61% of knee replacements were completed within the 26-week target, both below pre-pandemic levels.

The Fraser Institute estimated that these delays cost Canadian patients $4.2 billion in lost wages and productivity in 2025, roughly $3,043 per patient waiting for care. Add in all waking hours, including unpaid caregiving and household time, and the figure climbs to $12.9 billion.

What Does Provincial Health Insurance Cover Outside Canada?

If you are considering medical tourism, the short answer is: almost nothing. Provincial plans provide minimal to zero coverage for elective care abroad, and the trend is toward less coverage, not more.

The Canada Health Act's portability provision requires provinces to maintain coverage for insured residents during temporary absences from the country. In practice, reimbursement is calculated at the home province's domestic rate, not at what foreign hospitals actually charge. That gap typically leaves patients responsible for the vast majority of the bill.

Ontario eliminated its out-of-country coverage program entirely in May 2025. OHIP no longer reimburses any healthcare costs incurred outside Canada, whether emergency or elective. British Columbia's Medical Services Plan covers emergency hospital care outside Canada at just $75 per day and requires prior approval from a BC specialist for any elective procedure abroad. Manitoba requires a specialist referral and pre-approval, and only when the treatment cannot be provided anywhere in Canada.

Standard Canadian travel insurance policies exclude complications from elective procedures you choose to have abroad. If you are planning a medical trip, you need specialized medical tourism insurance that covers surgical complications (typically for 180 days post-procedure), extended hospitalization, medical evacuation, and trip cancellation.

What Procedures Are Canadians Getting Abroad?

The Fraser Institute's specialist survey data shows that urology (12,697 patients), general surgery (10,320), internal medicine (8,304), and ophthalmology (6,482) account for the largest share of Canadians leaving for care. The broader Medical Tourism Association estimate of 432,000 includes dental, cosmetic, and fertility treatments that fall outside the specialist-survey methodology.

The cost differences are substantial across every procedure category.

Sources: Surgency.ca, Pathwaysurgery.com (Canada pricing); PlacidWay, Bookimed, MedicalTourismCo.com (international pricing). All figures approximate as of 2025.

Dental tourism is the fastest-growing segment for Canadians. A full mouth rehabilitation quoted at $100,000 in Ontario can cost under $10,000 in Istanbul. Bariatric surgery presents a dramatic access gap: the public system wait is two to five years, while private Canadian clinics charge $16,000 to $18,000. Mexican clinics offer all-inclusive gastric sleeve packages for $6,200 to $10,400 with wait times of four to eight weeks.

Where Do Canadian Medical Tourists Go?

Mexico is the most popular destination for Canadian medical tourists. Geographic proximity, direct flights from most major Canadian cities, no visa requirement, and a deep infrastructure of clinics that cater specifically to North American patients make it the natural first choice. Dental tourism corridors in Tijuana, Los Algodones, and Cancun are well established, and many Mexican clinics coordinate follow-up care with Canadian dentists.

Turkey has emerged as a major hub for dental work, hair transplants, LASIK, and cosmetic procedures, with Istanbul serving as the primary gateway. Thailand continues to attract patients seeking cosmetic surgery, dental work, and wellness-oriented recovery at JCI-accredited facilities. South Korea draws patients for precision cosmetic and dermatological procedures.

India offers the lowest procedure costs in the medical tourism market, with hip replacements starting at roughly $6,000 and knee replacements at $4,000 to $5,500. Costa Rica and Colombia have built strong positions in dental and cosmetic tourism.

JCI accreditation is an international quality certification awarded by the US-based Joint Commission International, which evaluates hospitals worldwide against more than 1,400 patient safety and care quality standards. When researching clinics abroad, JCI accreditation should be your first filter.

How to Plan a Medical Trip from Canada

The Government of Canada recommends verifying the credentials of any healthcare professional who will perform your procedure, discussing all risks and potential complications in advance, researching the facility's accreditation standards, and getting written agreements that outline exactly what your fees cover.

The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) advises that medical tourism poses specific risks when patients return to Canada needing revision procedures or complication management. Before you leave, identify a Canadian physician willing to provide follow-up care and ensure your overseas clinic will provide complete medical records in English or French.

Provincial health insurance will not cover your care abroad. Bring your provincial health card regardless, as you will need it for follow-up appointments once you return. Carry digital and physical copies of all medical records, imaging, and prescriptions.

For step-by-step planning guidance, read our guide to planning your first medical tourism trip. To understand the evidence on outcomes and risk, see our guide on whether medical tourism is safe.