The median Canadian waits 28.6 weeks between GP referral and treatment. In Colombia, the same procedures are scheduled within 2–4 weeks — at 50–70% lower cost, in JCI-accredited hospitals ranked higher than Canada's by the WHO.
Median wait from GP referral to treatment by specialty. Source: Fraser Institute, Waiting Your Turn 2025.
Fraser Institute 2025 (Canada) · Colombia scheduling based on JCI-accredited hospital intake timelines
Median weeks from GP referral to treatment · Fraser Institute 2025
Canadian private surgery prices vs. Colombia all-inclusive packages. Typical 2026 ranges, not quotes. All figures in USD.
Prices shown are typical 2026 ranges and not quotes. Canadian private surgery costs sourced from provincial fee guides and private clinic listings. Colombia prices are all-inclusive packages (surgeon, anesthesia, facility, hospital stay, initial follow-up). Currency fluctuations may apply.
Colombia ranks #22 globally by the WHO — ahead of Canada at #30. Here's what that means in practice.
Colombia's healthcare system outranks Canada (#30), the UK (#18), and the US (#37) in the 2000 World Health Report. Six JCI-accredited hospitals serve international patients.
Medellín and Bogotá are in Eastern Time (UTC-5) — the same zone as Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. No jet lag, no scheduling confusion.
Non-stop from Toronto (5h), Montreal (5.5h), and Vancouver (7h). Round trips from CAD $680. Three to five hours closer than any Asian medical tourism destination.
Every Colombian surgeon's credentials are verifiable through ReTHUS (rethus.gov.co), the government's public medical registry. We verify every provider we refer.
Round-trip economy fares, typical 2026 pricing
Most provinces offer limited reimbursement for medically necessary care obtained abroad. The coverage is modest — but it's something nobody else talks about.
| Province | Emergency Coverage Abroad | Elective Coverage Abroad | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario (OHIP) | Limited | Very limited | Reimburses $200–$400/day inpatient, $50/day outpatient. Court ordered reinstatement in 2020 after government tried to eliminate. Won't cover the full cost, but offsets travel expenses. |
| BC (MSP) | Limited | Prior approval | Emergency reimbursement at BC rates. Elective procedures abroad may qualify with prior approval — especially if wait times are demonstrably harmful. |
| Alberta (AHCIP) | Limited | Very limited | Covers emergency care abroad at Alberta rates. Elective coverage is minimal. Alberta's own ortho wait (66.8 weeks) drives residents to seek alternatives. |
| Quebec (RAMQ) | Limited | Prior approval | Reimburses at Quebec rates. Some elective procedures abroad may qualify with documented medical necessity and prior RAMQ approval. |
| Manitoba | Limited | Case-by-case | Emergency coverage at provincial rates. Extended waits in Manitoba (37.1 weeks median) may strengthen case for prior-approval requests. |
Key takeaway: Provincial reimbursement rates are well below what procedures actually cost anywhere — but even $200–$400/day of offset, combined with Colombia's already-low prices, means a Canadian getting a hip replacement in Colombia could get partial provincial reimbursement AND still save 60%+ versus Canadian private options. Read our detailed province-by-province breakdown.
Wait time data, cost comparisons, provincial coverage, and procedure-specific guides — all from a Canadian perspective.
Complete data breakdown by province and specialty, with what you can actually do about it.
Read guide → Complete GuideEverything a Canadian needs to know about getting surgery abroad — from choosing a country to bringing records home.
Read guide → Coverage GuideProvince-by-province breakdown of what your health plan actually covers when you go abroad.
Read guide →48.6-week median — your options when waiting nearly a year isn't acceptable.
Read more → OrthopedicsProvince-by-province hip replacement data and what to do when the wait becomes harmful.
Read more → DentalWhy Canadian dental patients save 70–80% by choosing Colombia — with zero compromise on materials.
Read more → OphthalmologyWhen months of deteriorating vision push patients to consider surgery abroad.
Read more → Bariatric18–106 month bariatric waits. Why Canadians aren't willing to wait years for weight loss surgery.
Read more → CosmeticPrivate options vs. going abroad — the real cost comparison Canadian patients need.
Read more → FertilityProvincial funding gaps and why Colombian fertility clinics deliver the same results at half the cost.
Read more → Neurosurgery49.9-week neurosurgery median. When waiting means worsening nerve damage.
Read more →Talk to a medical tourism coordinator who works with Canadian patients every week. No pressure, no commitment — just straight answers about what's possible.