2MDOpinion delivers world-class medical second opinion from top specialists, giving patients clarity and confidence in just days, not months
Written By: Hesam Seyedi | October 27, 2025
In Canada, your right to a second medical opinion depends on where you live — and how your province funds care.
Each province manages its own public health insurance plan, and that means the rules, wait times, and referral steps for second opinions can vary widely.
The reality is stark: Canadians face some of the longest wait times for specialist consultations among developed countries, with median waits reaching up to 30 weeks nationally in 2024. For patients awaiting a critical diagnosis or treatment decision, that’s more than half a year of uncertainty and anxiety.
In Ontario, the picture is especially troubling. The median wait to see a cardiovascular specialist is about 10 weeks, while waits for neurosurgery can stretch up to 56 weeks. Even for common specialties, patients often wait 33 days to more than two months — for example, 39 days for cardiology and 76 days for gastroenterology — before getting a consultation.
To make matters worse, the definition and approval process for what counts as “medically necessary” differ across provincial health plans. This inconsistency means that access to second opinions — and even the ability to see a specialist — can depend as much on your postal code as on your condition.
For Canadians facing serious diagnoses, these delays can be more than frustrating — they can be life-altering. That’s why so many are now turning to private or employer-based programs for faster, insured access to trusted experts.
This guide explains how each province handles second medical opinion coverage under its public health insurance system, what limitations to expect, and how additional coverage can help you reach expert specialists faster when waiting simply isn’t an option.
In Ontario, most second medical opinions are covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) — but only if your doctor refers you. That means you’ll need your family physician or treating specialist to submit a formal referral before the visit is insured. You can learn more about what’s included in our guide on does OHIP cover second opinions.
If the specialist you see orders new diagnostic tests as part of the review, those are also covered as long as they’re medically necessary. What isn’t covered are direct, self-booked appointments without a referral, which can lead to out-of-pocket costs.
Ontario’s healthcare system is under heavy strain, and the statistics reveal how serious the situation has become:
▪ The average emergency room wait time across Ontario is now around 20 hours, with some hospitals — such as Brampton Civic — reporting delays as long as 25.3 hours.
▪ Patients admitted from the ER wait an average of 22 hours for a hospital bed, and only 23% are admitted within the provincial target of eight hours.
▪ These delays are driven in part by hospital overcrowding — more than 883 patients across Ontario hospitals have been stuck waiting for ward or ICU beds, contributing to a 53% increase in overall ER delays.
These long waits ripple through the system, delaying access to specialists and second opinions for thousands of patients every month.
The main challenge with OHIP-covered second opinions is timing. Multiple referral steps and long specialist wait lists can stretch the process for months. That’s why many Ontarians explore private or online second opinions for faster access — especially when facing urgent or complex diagnoses.
Understanding how OHIP handles referrals helps you decide when to wait within the system — and when to seek support through employer or private insurance for faster answers.
In British Columbia, the Medical Services Plan (MSP) covers second medical opinions that are medically necessary and referred by a physician. Like other provinces, this means you’ll need your family doctor or treating specialist to submit a formal referral before your visit can be insured.
Access remains one of the biggest challenges for British Columbians seeking timely care. Specialist shortages and emergency department congestion have reached record highs — and the statistics show just how serious the situation has become:
▪ The median wait time for patients seeking non-emergency specialist care in B.C. is now 29.5 weeks — the longest ever recorded in the province. That includes 15 weeks to see a specialist after referral, and another 14.4 weeks before receiving treatment.
▪ Emergency department waits have also worsened. At Vancouver General Hospital, patients often remain in the ER for more than 10 hours before discharge or admission — the highest average in five years.
▪ A growing number of British Columbians are leaving emergency rooms without being seen. In 2018–2019, 76,157 patients left without receiving care. By 2024–2025, that number had jumped 86% to 141,961 patients. Between 2023 and 2025 alone, the figure grew another 18%.
▪ More than half of British Columbians recently visiting an ER rated wait times as “unacceptable,” with 46% describing the province’s healthcare system as being in poor or very poor condition.
For patients facing complex or time-sensitive conditions, these delays can be both stressful and risky. That’s why many British Columbians are pairing public coverage with private or employer-based insurance. These plans can provide faster access to expert second opinions, including virtual consultations with specialists across Canada or internationally. It’s a practical way to get reassurance and clarity sooner while staying supported by your provincial coverage.
In short, MSP ensures that medically necessary second opinions are covered — but if time is critical, supplemental coverage or online expert review can help bridge the wait.
In Alberta, the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) covers second medical opinions that are medically necessary and referred by a physician. Like other provincial systems, referrals are key — your family doctor or specialist must make the request before the consultation can be insured.
While Alberta performs slightly better than some provinces, wait times remain high and emergency departments continue to struggle with capacity. Recent data shows the depth of the issue:
▪ The median stay in Alberta’s emergency rooms is about 3 hours and 58 minutes — up nearly an hour compared to five years ago.
▪ In 2024, the Edmonton region reported the longest waits at nearly 5 hours and 54 minutes, followed by the Calgary region at 4 hours and 42 minutes. The overall median wait across the province increased by 54 minutes since 2020.
▪ Even though Alberta’s ER times are shorter than some provinces, frequent closures, staffing shortages, and high patient volumes continue to slow down access to urgent and specialist care.
Where Alberta stands out is in its integration of public and private options. Many residents with employer benefits have access to the Alberta Blue Cross Second Opinion Program, which connects patients with North American specialists for serious or complex medical conditions. This program provides confidential reviews and detailed recommendations — often much faster than traditional referral pathways.
For those navigating life-changing diagnoses, combining AHCIP’s public coverage with private plan benefits offers the best of both worlds: insured medical care and timely access to specialized expertise.
In Alberta, second opinions are both a right and a resource — and knowing how to use both systems together can make a real difference when time and clarity matter most.
In Quebec, the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) covers second medical opinions when they are medically necessary and referred by a primary care physician. As in other provinces, the referral is essential — it ensures the visit and any related diagnostic tests are included under public health coverage.
Quebec’s healthcare system is under growing strain, with patients facing some of the longest wait times in Canada. Recent data paints a sobering picture:
▪ Nearly one million Quebecers are now on specialist waitlists, double what it was just five years ago.
▪ The median wait time to see a specialist is about 29 weeks — one of the longest in Canada — with cardiac specialists averaging 11 weeks, while other specialties exceed six months.
▪ Quebec has the worst emergency room wait times in the country, with patients spending a median of 5 hours and 23 minutes in the ER before being seen — far higher than other provinces like British Columbia or New Brunswick.
What makes Quebec distinct is its patient rights protections. If you disagree with a diagnosis or treatment decision, you can request a formal review through RAMQ at no cost. This ensures fairness and access to clear, evidence-based care.
Still, even with this safeguard, delays for specialist care remain long — particularly for oncology, neurology, and cardiology. Many Quebecers now turn to private or employer-based insurance to bridge the gap. These plans often provide quicker access to expert reviews, including in-province or cross-border second opinions through secure virtual consultations.
RAMQ guarantees your right to a second opinion, but combining public coverage with private benefits can help you get answers — and peace of mind — much faster.
Across Canada, most other provincial health plans — including those in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador — follow the same general model: second medical opinions are covered when they are medically necessary and referred by a licensed physician.
But despite consistent policy, access remains a challenge. The median national wait time for specialist referrals has risen to 30 weeks in 2024, up from 27.7 weeks the year before. Meanwhile, emergency departments handle over 16 million visits annually, with admitted patients often waiting close to 48.5 hours before hospital admission or discharge. For patients in smaller provinces or rural regions, these delays can mean even longer waits and higher stress.
These gaps have led many Canadians to adopt a hybrid approach — combining their public coverage with private or employer benefits. These plans often include faster access to online doctor consultations and virtual second opinions, allowing patients to connect directly with Canadian or international specialists.
The bottom line: while every province covers second opinions under specific medical criteria, those who supplement with private or employer-based care often get clarity — and peace of mind — much sooner.
| Province | Coverage Detail | Referral Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario (OHIP) | Covers medically necessary second opinions | Yes | Long wait times; private options common |
| British Columbia (MSP) | Covers medically necessary second opinions | Yes | Public + private required for speed/access |
| Alberta (AHCIP) | Covers with referrals; Blue Cross offers program | Yes | Group plan second opinion program available |
| Quebec (RAMQ) | Covers specialist second opinions with referral | Yes | Formal reviews possible without cost |
| Other Provinces | Similar public coverage with referral systems | Yes | Varies by province, usually referral required |
Private and employer-based insurance plans are becoming a vital bridge for Canadians waiting months within the public system. These plans often include dedicated second medical opinion programs and options for a private medical consultation, connecting you to top specialists across Canada, the U.S., or globally — sometimes within just a few days.
Unlike provincial plans, private coverage doesn’t always require a referral and typically includes comprehensive reviews for serious or complex conditions such as cancer, cardiac issues, or rare diseases. Depending on the plan, costs for these services — usually between $300 and $2,000 CAD — may be fully or partially covered.
Employer insurance programs frequently bundle these second-opinion services into their benefits packages, meaning many Canadians already have access without realizing it. Checking your plan details or speaking with your HR department can reveal coverage you didn’t know you had.
By combining public health coverage with private insurance, Canadians can reduce delays, access top-tier expertise, and move forward with greater confidence in their care decisions. When time and certainty matter most, this dual approach offers the balance between accessibility and speed.
