What's the cost for services not covered by my provincial health plan?
Below are average cost ranges for 20 common medical services or treatments typically not covered under provincial health programs.*
|
Service or treatment |
Average cost range* |
|
Ambulance service |
$45 - $475 |
|
Audiology exam |
$50 - $100 |
|
Hearing aids (pair) |
$400 - $2,000 |
|
Eye exam |
$90 - $150 |
|
Eyeglasses (lenses and frames) |
$100 - $1000 |
|
Contact lenses |
$500 - $700 |
|
Laser eye surgery (both eyes) |
$2,000 - $4,000 |
|
Routine dental exam and cleaning |
$100 - $130 |
|
Dental filling |
$150 - $300 |
|
Dental crown |
$1,000 - $1,300 |
|
Dental bridge |
$2,500 - $3,500 |
|
Root canal |
$400 - $800 |
|
Diabetes glucometer and test strips |
$5 - $100 |
|
Dentures |
$1,500 - $2,500 |
|
Orthotics/Orthopaedic shoes |
$150 - $1500 |
|
Private and semi-private hospital room |
Private coverage $100 - $250 Semi private $125 - $190 |
|
Private nursing services |
$20 - $60 per hour |
|
Acupuncture |
$80 - $125 |
|
Chiropractor |
$60 - $150 |
|
Massage therapy (30 minutes) |
$50 - $65 |
|
Physiotherapy |
$65 - $130 |
|
Podiatrist/Chiropodist |
$60 - $115 |
* Cost ranges are based on Equitable Life’s claims data for average reasonable and customary fees charged by health practitioners for particular services across Canada. Costs can vary by province or provider.
Prescription Drugs
Most provincial plans only cover prescription medications administered outside a hospital for certain groups, such as seniors, people on social assistance or children. Many provinces also provide catastrophic coverage for people who have high drug costs in relation to their household income.
British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba provide public drug coverage to all residents. However, these programs have deductibles or co-payments based on income, and cover only a limited basket of drugs.
As a result of this limited and sporadic public coverage, prescription drugs are often the most significant out-of-pocket health expense incurred by people without private health coverage, with the cost of these drugs varying widely.
