Ontario Wait Times by Specialty
| Specialty / Procedure | Wait Time Detail |
|---|---|
| Orthopaedic Surgery | 48.6 wk national; ON typically shorter but still significant |
| Neurosurgery | 49.9 wk national median |
| Plastic Surgery | 41.5 wk national median |
| Ophthalmology | 31.8 wk national; ON best at ~19 wk |
| General Surgery | ~17 wk median in Ontario |
| Cardiovascular | Increased 6.8 wk from 2024 nationally |
Sources: Fraser Institute Waiting Your Turn 2025, CIHI Wait Times for Priority Procedures 2025. Province-specific data where available; national medians shown where provincial breakdowns are not reported.
CIHI data shows only 61% of Ontario knee replacement patients received surgery within the 26-week benchmark in 2024. For hip replacement, the province performed better at roughly 68%. Cataract surgery benchmark performance was approximately 69%. Despite having the shortest overall wait in Canada, Ontario still falls short of pre-pandemic benchmark levels.
Private Surgery Options in Ontario
Ontario has a growing private surgery sector, though it remains smaller than in Quebec or BC. Private knee replacement costs $25,000–$38,000 CAD. Private cataract surgery with premium lenses runs $3,000–$5,000 per eye. Bariatric surgery through Ontario's public Bariatric Network has a 2.5–3 year wait; private options cost $20,000–$30,000 CAD. Several private clinics operate in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, and Hamilton.
OHIP Coverage for Surgery Abroad
OHIP Out-of-Country Policy
Ontario eliminated general out-of-country coverage on January 1, 2020. OHIP no longer reimburses for emergency or elective care abroad under normal circumstances. A prior-approval pathway exists for medically necessary services unavailable in Ontario — your specialist must submit the application before travel. If approved, OHIP reimburses at Ontario rates: approximately $200–$400/day inpatient and $50/day outpatient. Approval is rare and tightly scrutinized.
The Colombia Alternative for Ontario Patients
Ontario residents benefit from the new Ontario Fertility Treatment Tax Credit (effective January 2025) — a refundable 25% credit on eligible fertility expenses up to $5,000/year, stackable with the federal METC. The Ontario Fertility Program funds one IVF cycle per lifetime through 27 participating clinics, with $250 million committed through 2027/28. However, funded IVF waits still range from 3 to 36 months depending on the clinic.
Getting There from Ontario
- Airport: Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
- To Bogota: ~6h 15min nonstop (Air Canada, Avianca — daily)
- To Medellin: ~5h 30min nonstop (WestJet — 4x weekly, launched Apr 2026)
- Typical fare: CAD $700–$1,200 RT
- Visa: Not required for Canadian citizens (90-day entry)
- Time zone: Colombia = Eastern Standard Time (same as Ontario/Quebec)
See our complete flights guide →
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