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Describe your symptoms, prior treatment, medical history, and goals. Send any available reports and imaging so the right specialist can review a clear file.
Ontario patient guide
Private orthopedic surgery options for Ontario patients
Ontario patients can start with Pathway directly, without a referral. Consultation may be in Toronto, Hamilton, or by secure video. The surgeon, procedure, facility, travel plan, and written quote are confirmed after clinical review.
What private-pay means here
Pathway's private-pay pathway is separate from OHIP-insured care. It is not a paid position in an OHIP queue, and it should not be confused with publicly funded care that happens to be delivered in a privately operated centre.
Timing
Pathway consultations are typically available within 1–4 business days. If surgery is recommended, scheduling is typically 2–4 weeks after consultation and quote approval, subject to medical clearance and availability.
Start here
How the Ontario pathway works
The process starts with the clinical question, not the facility or price. The care team organizes the records and logistics; the surgeon decides whether an operation is appropriate.
Meet the appropriate specialist
Consult in Toronto, Hamilton, or by secure video. The surgeon reviews options, risks, likely recovery, and whether more testing is needed.
Receive the proposed plan and quote
If surgery is recommended, Pathway confirms the intended procedure, proposed facility pathway, scheduling, and a written quote before you decide.
Coordinate surgery and recovery
The care team organizes pre-operative requirements, scheduling, travel when needed, discharge planning, and follow-up around the surgeon's plan.
OHIP distinction
OHIP-insured care
Private-pay care
Out-of-province care
Private delivery is not always private payment
A centre can be privately operated and still provide publicly funded services. The question patients need to ask is who is paying for the specific service and under which program.
No patient charge for the insured service
Ontario says licensed community surgical and diagnostic centres cannot charge patients for OHIP-insured services, related facility costs, or preferential access to insured care.
A separate payment and care pathway
The patient, employer, insurer, or financing provider pays rather than OHIP. Availability depends on the specific service and the rules applying to the physician and facility.
Coverage must be confirmed in advance
OHIP may cover medically necessary care elsewhere in Canada under its rules, and some planned services require prior approval. Self-pay patients should not assume later reimbursement.
The practical question to ask: "Is this proposed service being provided as OHIP-insured care, or as a separate private-pay service?" Get the answer and expected charges in writing before booking.
Ontario access
Toronto
Hamilton
Virtual
Consultation and procedure options
Sports medicine and joint replacement
Toronto consultations support knee, hip, shoulder, sports medicine, and related orthopedic pathways. Exact appointment details are confirmed when booked.
Upper extremity, sports medicine, foot and ankle
Hamilton consultations include shoulder and upper-extremity care, sports medicine, and foot and ankle pathways.
Secure consultation across Ontario
Many patients can begin by video after records and imaging are organized. Travel is planned only after the proposed clinical pathway is clear.
Where surgery happens: the surgical facility is not assumed from the consultation location. It is confirmed after specialist review and may be in Ontario or another province, depending on the procedure, surgeon, facility, and scheduling. If travel is proposed, use the out-of-province surgery checklist.
Before deciding
Five details to confirm in writing
1. Clinical recommendation
What condition is being treated, what procedure is proposed, what alternatives remain, and what result is realistically expected?
2. Insured or private-pay status
Is the service billed to OHIP, or is it a separate private-pay service? Do not rely on the word "private" alone.
3. Complete price
Which surgeon, anesthesia, facility, implant, medication, stay, diagnostic, rehabilitation, and follow-up costs are included or excluded?
4. Facility and travel
Where will surgery take place, how long should you stay nearby, who should accompany you, and when is travel home medically appropriate?
5. Follow-up and urgent support
Who handles routine follow-up, physiotherapy, medication questions, wound concerns, and urgent issues once you are home?
Cost planning
See current third-party market estimates before your consultation, then use the individualized quote for the actual decision.
Questions
Ontario patients ask
Can Ontario patients explore private-pay orthopedic surgery?
Yes, but the available pathway depends on the service, physician, facility, and province in which care is delivered. Pathway confirms the proposed clinical and facility pathway after reviewing the case.
Can I pay to move ahead in an OHIP queue?
No. Ontario community surgical and diagnostic centres cannot charge for an OHIP-insured service or for preferential access to an insured service. A separate private-pay pathway should not be described as purchasing a faster place in an OHIP queue.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is required to start with Pathway. Records and imaging are still important, and the specialist decides whether surgery is appropriate.
Where will consultation and surgery take place?
Consultation may be in Toronto, Hamilton, or by secure video. The surgical facility is confirmed later and may be in Ontario or another province, depending on the case and scheduling.
Will OHIP reimburse a private-pay operation elsewhere in Canada?
Do not assume so. OHIP has rules for medically necessary services outside Ontario, and some planned services require prior approval. Confirm coverage with OHIP and the treating provider before receiving care if reimbursement matters to your decision.
Official references: Ontario's community surgical and diagnostic centre guidance explains that patients cannot be charged for OHIP-insured services, facility costs supporting them, or preferential access. Ontario's OHIP coverage outside Ontario page explains coverage and prior approval for planned out-of-province services. Information reviewed July 16, 2026. This is general information, not legal, insurance, or medical advice. See Pathway's medical disclaimer.
Next step
Start your care journey.
Tell Pathway what is limiting you and share any existing records or imaging. The care team will explain the appropriate consultation path and what happens next.