Regal Health Services in downtown Toronto charges a $3,700 annual fee for services, including “quarterly mini-physical examinations.” Much of the fee, according to the company’s website, covers extensive testing, including a “personalized comprehensive health and lifestyle assessment,” MRIs “within days” and “personalized blood screening and imaging assessment (OHIP covers some).”
By Sat., March 18, 2017A growing number of boutique medical clinics is establishing a second tier of health services that critics say encroaches on Ontario’s public health system by charging as much as $4,500 in annual fees for services such as no wait times, genetic analysis and added testing that isn’t always medically necessary. A Toronto Star/Ryerson School of Journalism investigation documents a hybrid health-care regime that markets to a clientele who can access public health care while paying for services that reach beyond what is covered by OHIP, including 24/7 access to health-care professionals, fast-tracking of MRIs and a range of annual tests and lifestyle assessments.
