How to Access Healthcare While Visiting or Living in Canada

Canada is known for high-quality Healthcare in Canada, with a healthcare system that delivers excellent medical care across provinces and territories. Major cities such as Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver host many leading hospitals, and strong care is available in smaller cities and regional centres as well—see the "Does Canada Have Good Hospitals?" section for rankings and sources.

•Whether you are visiting for a short stay, studying, working temporarily, or moving permanently to care Canada, this guide explains how to access hospital care and other healthcare services, what to expect when you arrive, and the likely costs and coverage differences between public and private options.

•Who this article is for: visitors and temporary residents who need immediate guidance on Emergency and urgent care; newcomers who need to register for provincial coverage; and anyone comparing public coverage with private health insurance for gaps like prescription drugs or dental care.

•What you'll learn: how emergency and non-emergency hospital care works, how to find primary care and specialists, what counts as medically necessary under provincial plans, common exclusions (for example, dental care and many prescription drugs), tips on travel or private health insurance, and the steps to register with a provincial health plan.

Does Canada Have Good Hospitals?

Yes — Canada’s healthcare system includes many highly regarded hospitals. Newsweek’s 2024 World's Best Hospitals list, for example, included multiple Canadian institutions, with Toronto General Hospital among the highest-ranked; provincial and national data also show strong outcomes in many specialties. Rankings draw on expert opinion, patient experience and measurable outcomes, but they capture only part of what determines care quality.

How these rankings are measured: independent evaluations typically combine surveys of medical experts and patients with objective indicators such as infection and hygiene standards, staffing levels (doctor‑to‑patient ratios), and standardized Patient‑Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). Different lists weight these elements differently, so a hospital may rank highly for a specialty (cardiac care, transplant, oncology) even if its overall system metrics differ from other countries.

Examples of notable Canadian centres across the country:

•Toronto General Hospital (Toronto, Ontario) — known for transplant and complex cardiac care;

•Vancouver General Hospital (Vancouver, British Columbia) — major trauma centre and tertiary care hub;

•St. Michael’s Hospital (Toronto, Ontario) and The Ottawa Hospital (Ottawa, Ontario) — large teaching hospitals with broad specialty services.

•Context on access and geography: most Canadians live within a few hours of a hospital — the highest hospital concentrations are in more populated provinces such as Ontario and Quebec — but excellent hospitals and specialized centres exist in every province and territory. That said, residents in rural and northern communities sometimes face longer travel times and specialist wait times; provincial programs and transfer agreements help move patients to tertiary centres when needed.

•How this matters to you: if you need routine or emergency care in Canada you can expect competent, well‑equipped hospitals in urban and many regional centres. For highly specialised treatment (organ transplant, complex cancer care, advanced surgery), tertiary and teaching hospitals in larger cities typically provide the full range of services. If you require specialized care while visiting or after moving, see the “How to access specialist care or transfers” section for steps to request referrals, transfers or second opinions.

•Data and comparative measures: when comparing systems, look at per capita health spending, wait times for elective procedures and outcomes reported by sources such as the Commonwealth Fund, Statistics Canada, CIHI (Canadian Institute for Health Information), and the Canadian Medical Association. These sources give a fuller picture of how the Canadian healthcare system performs across indicators such as access, quality and population health.

Types of Hospitals in Canada

As of 2023, Canada had 1,017 hospitals, with the largest concentration (about 300) located in Ontario. Most hospitals operate within the public system: provincial and territorial health plans cover essential medically necessary health services at these facilities so that eligible residents typically receive core hospital care at no direct charge.

Hospital ownership and roles

Canadian hospitals are generally non‑profit organizations funded and overseen by provincial and territorial governments. Within that public framework you will find several common types of hospitals and roles:

•Tertiary / teaching hospitals: affiliated with universities, offer advanced specialty care (transplants, complex cardiac surgery, major trauma, oncology) and often lead clinical research and training.

•Regional and community hospitals: provide acute care, general surgery, obstetrics and common inpatient services for local populations.

•Specialty hospitals and centres: focus on areas such as rehabilitation, psychiatric care, pediatrics or long‑term care.

•Rural and remote hospitals/health centres: deliver essential emergency and acute services closer to smaller communities; serious cases are often transferred to tertiary centres.

What the public system usually covers

Provincial and territorial plans fund medically necessary hospital services: emergency and inpatient care, medically required diagnostic tests, surgeries deemed clinically necessary, and hospital‑based physician services while admitted. Coverage models vary by province, but the underlying principle is that medically necessary hospital care is publicly funded under Canada’s Medicare framework (administered provincially within federal standards).

Common exclusions and “extras”

Not all services or comforts in hospitals are covered. Typical examples include:

•Private or upgrade rooms (private room charges may be billed to the patient or their private insurance);

•Elective cosmetic procedures and some elective surgeries not deemed medically necessary;

•Most outpatient prescription drugs (coverage depends on provincial drug plans, employer plans, or private insurance);

•Dental care and many vision services (dental care is commonly excluded from hospital/health plan coverage except for certain emergency or medically necessary situations);

•Some allied health services (e.g., physiotherapy, chiropractic) when provided outside a hospital setting;

•Ambulance transportation in certain provinces may incur a fee unless covered by provincial policy or private insurance.

Hospital physician services and billing

It’s important to distinguish facility fees charged by a hospital from physician fees. In Canada, many physicians bill provincial health plans directly for hospital physician services (surgeons, anesthesiologists, hospitalists), but billing arrangements vary: some physicians are salaried employees of hospitals while others bill fee‑for‑service. For visitors and non‑residents, physician services delivered in hospital are generally billable to the patient and/or their insurer unless covered by an applicable plan.

Percentages and scale (context)

Teaching and tertiary hospitals represent a smaller share of the total hospital count but handle a disproportionate volume of complex cases and specialist referrals. Community and rural hospitals make up the majority of facilities and are essential for day‑to‑day acute care across provinces and territories. Exact proportions vary by province — for example, Ontario contains roughly 300 hospitals reflecting its population size and urban concentration.

Publicly funded, privately delivered — what that means

Canada’s system is often described as publicly funded and privately delivered: funding for medically necessary hospital services comes from public provincial plans, while the delivery may involve hospital administrators, salaried staff, and independent physicians who bill provincial plans for their services. This blended delivery model explains why coverage details and billing practices can differ between provinces and even between hospitals.

How this affects you

If you are visiting temporarily, expect to pay for non‑covered items and possibly some physician fees — travel or private health insurance can cover many of these costs. If you are becoming a resident, register promptly with your provincial health plan to secure coverage for medically necessary hospital services; details and any waiting periods are covered in the provincial registration section.

How to Access Care: Emergency, Urgent and Routine Services

Knowing where and how to seek care makes a big difference when you visit or move to Canada. This section explains the step‑by‑step process for emergency situations, urgent but non‑life‑threatening problems, finding primary care, getting specialist referrals, using telehealth, and accessing mental health, prescription and dental services. Practical scripts and a pre‑travel checklist are included to help you access health services quickly and confidently.

1) Emergency care — when to call 911

If someone has a life‑threatening condition (cardiac arrest, stroke with sudden weakness or slurred speech, severe breathing difficulty, major trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, loss of consciousness), call 911 immediately. Emergency medical services (EMS) will dispatch paramedics and arrange ambulance transport to the nearest appropriate hospital.

Key points:

•Call 911 for immediate ambulance dispatch and emergency department (ED) transport.

•Paramedics provide on‑scene assessment and urgent treatment; they can request hospital bypass or direct transport to a tertiary centre if required.

•Ambulance fees: some provinces charge a fee for ambulance transport for non‑residents or certain residents—check provincial rules and consider private insurance that covers ambulance costs.

2) Urgent but not life‑threatening — walk‑in clinics and urgent care centres

For injuries or illnesses that need same‑day attention but are not immediately life‑threatening (minor fractures, deep cuts needing stitches, moderate asthma attacks that respond to inhalers, moderate infections, high fever in a child), use an urgent care centre or walk‑in clinic rather than the ED when appropriate. These clinics can treat many acute problems, perform basic imaging (X‑ray) and arrange referrals to specialists.

How to decide:

•If the condition could deteriorate quickly or involves severe pain, bleeding, breathing problems, or neurological symptoms — go to ED or call 911.

•If you can wait a few hours and the issue is not life‑threatening — search for a local urgent care or walk‑in clinic.

•Practical tip: many provinces have online directories or provincial health information lines (e.g., HealthLink BC) where you can check clinic hours and get triage advice.

3) Primary care — family doctors and nurse practitioners

Primary care providers (family physicians, nurse practitioners) manage routine medical care, chronic diseases, preventive care, and coordinate specialist referrals. If you have a family doctor, call them first for non‑urgent problems — many doctors offer same‑day or next‑day appointments for established patients.

Finding a family doctor:

•Use provincial registries or “find a doctor” services run by provincial health ministries or health authorities.

•Ask community health centres, local hospitals or settlement agencies (for newcomers) for listings of family physicians accepting new patients.

•If you cannot find a family doctor, consider nurse‑led clinics or community health centres which often accept new patients and provide comprehensive primary care.

•What to bring to your first appointment: government ID, proof of provincial health coverage (if available), medication list, and a short summary of your medical history. If you are a visitor, bring travel or private health insurance details and a copy of your medical records.

4) Specialist care and referrals

To see most specialists in Canada you generally need a referral from a primary care provider. The family doctor assesses your condition, arranges necessary tests, and refers you to the appropriate specialist or specialist clinic. Wait times for non‑urgent specialist appointments and elective procedures vary by specialty and province.

How to access specialist care while visiting or before you have provincial coverage:

•If you are a visitor and require urgent specialist assessment, an ED or urgent care visit can initiate referrals or transfers to specialist centres—expect to be billed if you lack provincial coverage.

•Private clinics exist for self‑pay specialist consultations in some provinces, but major surgeries and hospital‑based procedures will generally be routed through the public system.

•If you are a new resident, register for provincial health coverage as soon as possible; in the interim, travel insurance or private insurance can cover specialist consultations and procedures depending on your policy.

5) Telehealth and virtual care

Telehealth services have expanded across Canada. Virtual consultations can help with triage, follow‑up care, prescription renewals, and some urgent issues. Many provinces and private telemedicine platforms offer virtual visits with family physicians or nurse practitioners—check whether the provider accepts provincial billing or whether a private fee applies.

Practical uses:

•Get immediate triage advice for mild symptoms.

•Obtain repeat prescriptions and routine follow‑ups.

•Receive mental health counselling or therapy via virtual platforms (see mental health section).

6) Mental health and addiction services

Access to mental health care ranges from emergency psychiatric services in hospitals to community counselling, crisis lines, and publicly funded programs. If someone is at immediate risk of harming themselves or others, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For non‑emergency mental health support, there are several options:

•Provincial crisis lines and 24/7 hotlines (search your province’s health ministry site for local numbers).

•Community mental health teams and walk‑in counselling clinics that accept referrals from family doctors.

•Virtual counselling and private therapists — privately paid or covered by some employer plans and private insurance.

•Urgent psychiatric assessments in hospitals for acute agitation or severe mental illness.

•Access mental health care as a visitor: private or travel insurance may cover therapy and some mental health services; check policy limits and whether virtual care is eligible. Many provinces also offer free crisis lines that are available to anyone physically present in Canada.

7) Prescription drugs and pharmacy access

Prescription drug coverage varies: most provinces cover some hospital inpatient drug costs, but outpatient prescription drugs are often covered only through provincial drug programs for specific populations (seniors, low‑income, children), employer benefit plans, or private insurance. Visitors should assume outpatient prescriptions will be out‑of‑pocket unless they have private insurance that covers prescriptions.

How to get prescriptions filled:

•Bring an adequate supply of any regular medications when you travel, plus a copy of the prescription and a letter from your prescribing clinician describing the condition and dosage.

•If you run out, see a family doctor, walk‑in clinic or use telehealth to obtain a new prescription; expect to pay out‑of‑pocket if you do not yet have provincial drug coverage.

•Ask the pharmacist about generic alternatives and cost‑saving options; pharmacists can also advise on minor ailments and over‑the‑counter treatments.

8) Dental emergencies

Dental care is usually not included in provincial hospital plans except for some emergency procedures performed in hospitals. For tooth pain, lost fillings or dental trauma, visit a dental clinic or an emergency dental service. If a dental issue threatens overall health (e.g., severe infection), an ED will treat the medical emergency but dental follow‑up is usually needed.

9) Wait times — what to expect

Wait times vary widely by province, specialty and urgency. Emergency departments triage by severity, so non‑urgent cases may experience long waits. For elective surgeries and specialist consultations, wait times depend on demand, resource availability, and provincial wait‑time management programs. To get current data, consult provincial wait‑time dashboards and CIHI reports. If you need time‑sensitive specialist care, discuss expedited referral or transfer options with your primary care provider.

10) Practical scripts and what to say at the clinic or hospital

If you are a visitor or new resident, be clear and concise when explaining your status and needs. Example scripts:

•At triage or reception: “Hello, I’m a visitor from [country]. I need urgent care for [symptom]. I have travel insurance/No insurance. Here is my passport and insurance details.”

•At a walk‑in clinic: “I have been experiencing [symptoms] since [time]. My regular medications are [list]. I don’t have a family doctor here.”

•For a specialist referral request: “I need to see a [specialist type] because of [condition]. My family doctor suggested a referral — could you advise the next steps?”

11) Checklist — Before you travel to Canada

To reduce barriers to accessing care, prepare this checklist before arrival:

•Purchase travel or private health insurance that covers hospital care, physician services, ambulance, and prescription drugs if you will not have provincial coverage immediately.

•Bring copies of prescriptions, a medication list (generic names), and a letter from your doctor describing chronic conditions.

•Save local emergency numbers and the nearest hospital/urgent care addresses for your destination city.

•Download provincial health information apps or bookmark provincial health ministry pages and local hospital sites.

•If you have a planned medical appointment or ongoing treatment, arrange documentation and referral letters in advance.

12) Tips for newcomers registering for provincial coverage

Register for provincial health insurance as soon as you are eligible. In many provinces there is a short waiting period; during that time maintain travel/private insurance. When you register, bring photo ID, immigration documents, proof of residency (lease, utility bill) and any required forms. Once enrolled, present your health card at clinics and hospitals to access publicly funded services for medically necessary care.

13) Where to find reliable health information

Use official provincial health ministry websites, local health authority pages, CIHI and the Canadian Medical Association for authoritative guidance on health services, wait times and system performance. Provincial patient navigators and settlement agencies can help newcomers find family doctors and community health services.

14) When to consider private options

If you need rapid access to a specialist consultation, elective diagnostics, or private therapy not available quickly through the public system, private clinics and telehealth services can provide faster appointments—these are usually self‑pay or covered by private health insurance. Private options do not generally change the public system’s rules about hospital admissions or public program eligibility, but they can help bridge short‑term access gaps.

Summary — practical flow for most situations:

•Immediate life‑threatening emergency: call 911.

•Urgent but not life‑threatening: visit an urgent care centre or walk‑in clinic; use telehealth for triage if available.

•Non‑urgent or ongoing concerns: contact a family doctor or register with a primary care clinic; if necessary, obtain a referral for specialist care.

•If you are not yet provincially covered: use travel/private insurance f