Non-insured Services
In Canada, health-care services are largely paid for by the government. This is based on Canada’s Health Act which states “continued access to quality health care without financial or other barriers will be critical to maintaining and improving the health and well-being of Canadians.”
About 70 per cent of all health-care services are insured (paid for by the government). The remaining 30 per cent is up to the patient to pay for or obtain through their own health insurance. Dental fees and prescription drug costs are two examples where government doesn’t pay for all the services.
Services provided by doctors but not paid by the government are called non-insured services. Doctors may charge patients for these services.
Each doctor decides whether to charge for a non-insured service and sets the fee. Patients should talk to their doctor about the policy and fees for non-insured services.