Medical services

Medical services in Canada: what they cost and how to get offers

Updated 5 November 2026

Uninsured patients in Canada pay for many medical services themselves. A published British Columbia fee schedule lists a basic X-ray at about CA$445, a CT scan at about CA$2,215 and an MRI at about CA$2,445. Private prices vary by city and provider, so the quickest way to current quotes is a request on BlaBlaPrice.

What Medicare covers and what you may pay

Canada's public system, Medicare, covers medically necessary doctor and hospital care, and each province runs its own plan. In British Columbia the Medical Services Plan pays for medically required insured doctor services. Anything outside that cover is paid privately, so ask before booking whether the price is covered, paid by you, or partly paid by a private insurer. Some private plans cap a benefit at CA$350 per person per calendar year, so check the limit on your policy before you book a costly test.

Checking that the provider is licensed

Doctors and other regulated providers must be registered with their provincial regulatory college. Registration is a formal process with its own fees: in Nova Scotia, a medical registration application costs CA$350 per application. Ask for the provider's name and registration number before you book, and confirm it with the college in the province where you will be treated.

Timing across the seasons

Winter runs from December to February and summer from June to August, so November is a good time to plan. Book diagnostic appointments before the coldest weeks, and ask how long the wait is for the appointment type you need. If a result has to be sent back to you, ask how it will be delivered and when, so the timing of your next visit is clear.

What to write in the request

Name the service, the reason in one line, and whether you have a referral. Say whether you are insured, because the uninsured prices above apply only when no plan pays. Add your city (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary or Ottawa), how soon you need the appointment and your budget. The AI will ask about anything missing, so a clear first message brings more accurate answers.

On BlaBlaPrice you describe the service in your own words in a chat, and the AI looks through providers' price lists and websites in Canada and shows what it finds. Registered sellers reply in the chat with their price and terms. Buying is free, and your contacts stay hidden until you choose to exchange them. Start from the request field, or read how it works.