More than 373,000 surgeries are performed in British Columbia each year, including thousands of hand, wrist, and elbow procedures—carpal tunnel release, trigger finger release, Dupuytren's contracture surgery, tendon repair, and elbow replacement among them. Most upper-extremity surgeries are delivered through the publicly funded Medical Services Plan (MSP).
Private hand, wrist, and elbow surgical options do exist in BC—more so than in many other Canadian provinces. But Canadian regulations restrict private BC surgeons from accepting payment for medically necessary upper-extremity surgery from BC residents. The exception applies when a surgeon has "opted-out" of MSP, in which case they may see any Canadian patient, including BC residents, within the province.
Private pay for purely elective surgeries (e.g. cosmetic, LASIK) is allowed under current regulations.
The reality is that most BC patients seeking timely hand, wrist, or elbow surgical care will need to travel out of province, unless they can access one of the opted-out surgeons working in Greater Vancouver (Vancouver and Burnaby).
Current regulations: Unlike some provinces, BC does allow opted-out surgeons to treat local residents privately.
