Paying for surgery
Know exactly what you're paying for.
Private surgery is paid out of pocket and isn't covered by Alberta Health Care. You'll get a clear, itemized quote at your consultation — surgeon, facility, anaesthesia and implant — so there are no surprises.
These are privately funded services. They are not covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) — you pay out of pocket. Equivalent hip and knee replacement surgery is available publicly at no direct cost through Alberta's public system. Private care is an option, not a requirement.
How it works
No surprise bills — you get an itemized quote.
After your consultation, you receive a written, itemized quote. It lays out each part of the cost separately, so you can see exactly what you're paying for before deciding anything.
You're never asked to commit on the day of the consultation. Take the quote home, ask questions, compare it against your public-system wait — and only proceed if it's right for you.
A typical quote breaks down into:
- Surgeon's fee
Covers your surgeon's time — consultation, surgery, and post-operative follow-up.
- Facility fee
Use of the operating room, recovery area, nursing care, and any overnight stay.
- Anaesthesia fee
The anaesthesiologist's care before, during, and after your operation.
- Implant
The hip or knee implant itself — chosen for your anatomy and activity level.
What's included, what's separate
Clarity, line by line.
Usually included in the quote
- Pre-operative consultation with your surgeon
- The surgery itself, in a dedicated facility
- Anaesthesia and operating-room care
- Your hip or knee implant
- Routine post-operative follow-up visits with your surgeon
- Standard in-facility recovery care
Usually separate
- Outpatient physiotherapy and rehabilitation
- Prescription medications (e.g., pain relief, blood-thinners)
- Imaging ordered before or after surgery, if not bundled
- Mobility aids (walker, crutches, etc.)
- Treatment of any unrelated medical conditions
- Travel, accommodation, or time off work
Your written quote will specify exactly what is and isn't included for your case.
Why people choose it
Four common reasons.
Shorter wait
Surgery measured in weeks rather than months or years. For some people, that time is decisive.
Stay in Calgary
No flying out of province or country. Your care, follow-up, and recovery all stay local.
Same surgeon throughout
The surgeon who consults with you also performs the operation and follows you afterwards.
Predictable timing
Choose a date that fits your work, your family, and your life — instead of waiting on a list.
An honest note.
Choosing private surgery has trade-offs — but they're financial and logistical, not medical. The operation itself is the same operation, with the same standards, in a regulated facility.
Paying privately does not affect your public coverage. AHCIP continues exactly as it did before, for everything else you need.
And this isn't queue-jumping. The dual-practice model in Alberta is a separate, privately funded stream — it doesn't move you ahead of anyone else on the public waiting list.
How people fund it
Common ways patients pay.
Every situation is different. These are the most common paths patients use — we can talk through what fits when you have your quote in hand.
Personal savings
Many patients pay from savings or by reallocating funds they had set aside for another purpose.
Medical financing
Health-specific financing plans let you spread the cost over a fixed term, with terms set by the lender. **TO BE DETERMINED**
Private insurance
Some private or employer health plans contribute to all or part of elective surgery — worth checking your policy. **UNKNOWN AND WILL BE DETERMINED BY GOVERNMENT**
Information on financing and insurance is general and not financial advice. Confirm details with your insurer or lender.