Help paying medical bills in Canada: Complete guide

Doctor talking with a family
| 10 min read Financial assistance

When you or a loved one faces an unexpected illness or injury, medical bills can add up quickly. The Canadian healthcare reality is such that universal coverage exists, but gaps still remain. There are many medical necessities that aren’t covered by federal health insurance, like dental, vision, cross-border treatments, private care, and employment insurance medical certificates.

It can be tough to focus on healing when you’re trying to deal with enormous costs, but this guide explores how to pay medical bills and stay out of debt. A great way to do this is to start a fundraiser. GoFundMe has helped thousands of people garner community support to help fill the gaps left by federal health insurance.

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How the Canadian healthcare system works

Your federal insurance will go through your provincial health plan. These plans vary by province, but each covers the basic standard of care required by the federal government. Hospital care and doctor’s visits are always free, but coverage for things like prescription drugs, home care, medical-related travel, and other expenses aren’t always covered. 

One of the most commonly asked questions is whether you have to pay hospital bills in Canada; the answer is typically no. Hospital care is always covered by insurance, but supplementary care like at-home prescriptions, medical devices, and other things related to hospital care aren’t free. This coverage will vary by province or territory. 

Startling facts about emergency care in Canada

Even a short trip to the emergency room can set an individual back hundreds or even thousands of dollars and lead to medical bankruptcy. As hospitals continue charging more for emergency care, it’s understandable why many have come to worry about these visits.

These statistics illustrate just how expensive health care in Canada can be:

  • While ER visits in Canada come at no direct cost to Canadians, ambulance fees aren’t always covered. British Columbia charges $80 for emergency transport, while Nova Scotians pay around $146.55. Quebec, on the other hand, charges a base fee of $125 plus mileage, heavily affecting those who live in rural areas.
  • Prescription drug coverage also varies by province. It was estimated that out-of-pocket prescription drug spending in Canada in 2025 would reach $9.5 billion, and drug prices continue to rise. 
  • Private room upgrades in hospitals are also not covered by insurance, and can cost more than $340 per day in some provinces and hospitals. 
  • Dental emergencies also aren’t covered, leading to high out-of-pocket costs or delays in care. 

So, many people think Canadians have “free” healthcare, but it’s not quite so cut-and-dried.

Hospital bills in Canada may seem free, but there are supplemental costs that begin to add up, such as ambulance fees, prescriptions, private rooms, and more. 

Understanding options for medical care with coverage gaps

As there are significant coverage gaps in Canada, it can be understandably distressing trying to figure out how to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses—but it is important to understand all of your options and tackle your medical bills as soon as possible.

  1. If you need services that aren’t covered by your provincial health plan, there are some government benefit programs you can apply to for financial assistance. Be sure to check your province-specific coverage.
  2. You may also lose coverage temporarily when moving between provinces. Typically, you’ll be covered under your home province’s plan for 3 months, but you need to register with your new province immediately to prevent any delays or gaps in coverage. 
  3. Temporary residents can usually access provincial healthcare plans, but there’s a 3-month waiting period in most provinces. It’s a good idea to have travel health insurance to cover this period. For visitors, visitor health insurance is recommended, as without provincial plans, basic healthcare can be incredibly expensive. 
  4. You might also consider using a patient advocacy service that may be able to help you understand how to pay medical bills without insurance. These services can also help you understand your expenses, negotiate the bills on your behalf, and offer medical bill assistance. 

Six tips to help you pay for medical bills

It’s possible to get help and stay out of debt, even with large medical bills. Universal healthcare helps, but it won’t cover everything. The below six options can help you get rid of debt and put you on the path to financial relief. 

1. Start by talking to your healthcare provider 

    Doctors and their assistants understand healthcare bureaucracy well and may be able to steer you toward helpful resources—including hospital or health group administrators who can connect you with different forms of financial aid, especially when it comes to uncovered services.

    Bringing up finances and billing might actually encourage your doctor to suggest more affordable alternatives based on your budget. You can ask for quotes for different private clinics and dental offices as well.

    2. Review bills for extra costs

      It’s not uncommon for private healthcare bills to have errors, so it’s a good idea to make sure you aren’t paying for any services you didn’t receive. If you paid for a room upgrade in a hospital, for example, make sure you’re not paying for a full day if you were discharged in the morning. When it comes to dental and vision care, make sure you’re not paying for any devices or equipment you’re not using.

      To check for private healthcare billing errors, make sure you request an itemized bill instead of a summary, and always check for duplicate items. Upcharging and unbundling of expenses can also be common, so be sure you’re not paying for procedures that are more complex than what was actually performed. 

      3. Negotiate your medical bills

        Some private providers will allow you to negotiate your bills and can help you set up a payment plan that will make monthly payments for uncovered services more manageable. Payment plan requests should be made immediately upon receiving your itemized bill before any payment is made, and sometimes you can even get discounts of up to 45%. Don’t be shy—be honest about what you can and can’t afford to pay.

        4. Find charities that help pay medical bills

          If you’re still unsure how to get help paying medical bills, there are nonprofit organizations devoted to helping people with specific medical conditions. 

          These national organizations can be especially helpful if you have a chronic condition that requires ongoing assistance.

          • Canadian Cancer Society: Provides assistance and resources for cancer patients. 
          • DEBRA Canada: Helps patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). 
          • Hope Air: Assists Canadians with travel expenses to and from the hospital or treatment center.

          There are also charities and nonprofits in each province devoted to this cause. 

          To find a charity serving your area, visit Canada Helps.

          5. Seek government assistance through provincial programs

            Government resources can be especially useful if you meet the eligibility requirements. Here are some places to start:

            6. Crowdfunding for medical expenses

              Crowdfunding has become a popular way for thousands of individuals and families to pay for expensive medical treatments when insurance coverage falls short or is nonexistent. Through crowdfunding, it’s easy to receive financial and emotional support from your network of friends and family members during a challenging time.

              If you need any help along your fundraising journey, be sure to look for a crowdfunding platform that offers 24/7 customer support. Another key feature to look for in a crowdfunding site is a blog that provides medical fundraising tips or a medical crowdfunding guide so you can make the most of your fundraiser.

              Most importantly, you’ll want to choose a crowdfunding platform that offers fundraising. GoFundMe Canada’s 0% platform fee for organizers means you can keep more of the funds you raise and meet your fundraising goals faster. Personal, medical fundraisers in Canada are typically tax-free.

              What are some of the provincial health and benefits resources across Canada?

              There are resources specific to each province. For a complete list, look at the federal Benefits Finder.

              Still don’t know how to pay medical bills? We want to help

              Health coverage in Canada is more complicated than it seems, and there are still a lot of expenses that may need to be paid out of pocket. But you don’t have to deal with it alone; you can explore government assistance as well as nonprofit organizations and crowdfunding to fill those coverage gaps. 

              Thousands of people turn to GoFundMe Canada every day to raise the funds they need. Whether you need help paying medical bills right now or you’re anticipating expensive treatments in the future, GoFundMe can help ease that financial burden. Are you ready to start a fundraiser to pay for medical bills? Start your fundraiser today.

              Start a medical bill fundraiser

              Written by Ved Khan