Canadian patients are experiencing very long waits to access specialty consultations or care. Every day, we receive requests from patients across Canada who are stuck on long wait lists for somewhat urgent conditions.

• 1 to 3 years for neurosurgery for spinal stenosis.

• 3 years for gynecology surgery for severe endometriosis.

• 8 years for specialty pediatrics for a rural family with a complex child.

The Canada Health Act of 1984 did not foresee these issues. It was designed to ensure access to essential health services, but it did not account for the rising demand and increasing complexity of modern healthcare. As a result, the Federal and Provincial governments are failing in their duties to fund and supply timely specialty care. This has left many patients in a state of limbo, waiting years for critical treatments.

The Reality of Waiting

Long wait times can have severe consequences on patients' health and quality of life. Conditions that could be managed or treated early on often worsen over time, leading to more complex and costly interventions down the road. For many, the wait is not just an inconvenience but a significant risk to their well-being.

The Options

So, what are the options for patients who need timely specialty care?

Introducing Healtheon, a new company that offers a monthly pay subscription for specialty services. This innovative service bridges the gap in timely specialty consultations and virtual case reviews by specialists and subspecialists.

With Healtheon, patients can bypass the long wait times and gain immediate access to the care they need. If a patient purchases a Healtheon monthly health plan and develops a serious condition, they will have the opportunity to receive a virtual case review by a specialist within 1 to 2 weeks.

How Healtheon Works

Healtheon partners with RCM Health, which has provided specialty virtual case reviews for over 30 years using its world-class network of over 4,000 specialists, many of whom are in the US or Europe. This partnership ensures that patients have access to top-tier medical expertise without the prohibitive wait times.

A Win-Win Solution

Family doctors should consider joining Healtheon to provide patients with expedited access to specialty care. It is a win-win solution for patients, doctors, and the healthcare system.

Patients benefit from timely access to the care they need, reducing the risk of complications and improving their overall health outcomes. Doctors can offer their patients a reliable option for specialty consultations, enhancing the level of care they provide and fostering stronger patient relationships.

The Future of Specialty Care

The current state of wait times for specialty care in Canada is untenable. The need for a new approach is clear. Healtheon.ca offers a promising solution that aligns with the needs of modern healthcare. By providing a subscription-based model for specialty services, Healtheon is paving the way for a more efficient, patient-centered healthcare system.

Patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers must recognize the urgency of this issue and work together to implement solutions that ensure timely access to care. Healtheon represents a critical step forward in this journey, offering hope and immediate relief to those who have been waiting far too long.

Let’s spread the word about Healtheon and encourage more doctors and patients to join this innovative platform. Together, we can transform the primary care system and ensure better healthcare outcomes for all.