
The information on this website is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, legal, or financial advice. Always consult a health provider, legal counsel, or financial professional if you have questions or concerns. The use of the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship between Surgency and you.
Surgency is a free resource for Canadian patients and caregivers. Private pathways Canadian physician in the public system to help you find the right surgeon for your needs.

As a family doctor in the public system, I believe transparency is a form of care. I created Surgency to help my patients struggling on long waitlists who wanted to understand all their options for timely medical attention.
Surgency is a free resource designed to empower and educate—helping you understand private pathways and find accredited surgeons within Canada. I hope Surgency brings you clarity.
Dr. Sean Haffey

A CT scan (computed tomography) is a scan that uses X-rays and computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional pictures of the inside of your body—like slicing a loaf of bread to see each layer. It's especially useful for looking at bones, organs, blood vessels, and detecting injuries, infections, tumors, or internal bleeding quickly.
A private CT scan means you book the scan at an accredited, fee-for-service imaging clinic instead of waiting for a publicly funded appointment. The scan itself is the same type of test. The main difference is timing and convenience—private clinics often offer faster scheduling (sometimes same-day or next-day), extended hours, and clearer appointment timelines.
Canadians might consider a private CT scan when public wait times stretch days to weeks, and symptoms—chest pain, abdominal issues, suspected fractures, or neurological concerns—may need timely answers. Long delays can mean slower diagnosis, delayed treatment decisions, and more time living with pain, worry, or worsening symptoms that could become serious.
Unlike MRI, CT scans don't come in "screening" vs "diagnostic" types the same way. CT is almost always diagnostic—it's ordered when your doctor needs fast, detailed images to figure out what's wrong, especially in urgent or acute situations.
Think of CT like an express lane for answers.
CT scan:
MRI:
Choose private CT if:
CT may be the right choice when:
Because CT is almost always used for specific, often urgent problems, most Canadians choosing private CT do so to avoid delays that could worsen their condition or prolong uncertainty. Getting a CT within 24–48 hours instead of weeks can mean starting treatment sooner, avoiding complications, and getting back to normal life faster.
Most CT scans take 5–15 minutes (a bit longer if contrast is used). You’ll be asked to arrive early to complete forms, confirm your requisition, and answer safety questions (including pregnancy status and contrast allergy history).

CT scan costs vary by body part, whether contrast dye is used, and the clinic's location and equipment.
Typical range you can expect in private diagnostic imaging centres is: $600–CA$3,000
Factors affecting cost:
Common examples:
U.S. pricing is typically higher: CA$700–CA$4,200+
Choosing the right imaging centre matters for scan quality, safety, and how quickly you get results.
A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging test—it helps doctors see inside your body to figure out what's wrong. It's usually the right choice when you need fast, detailed images of bones, organs, or blood vessels.
Yes and no—you can reach out to any of the private surgeons listed on Surgency without a referral. Their intake teams are happy to answer questions, explain what they treat, share pricing ranges, and walk you through next steps.
However, to book a formal consultation with the surgeon, you'll typically need a referral from your family doctor or nurse practitioner. Don't have one? Many of the clinics can help coordinate a virtual GP appointment to get the referral paperwork sorted. All surgeons listed on Surgency offer virtual initial consultations, so you don't need to travel until you and the surgeon have agreed on a plan.
Before your consultation, expect the clinic to request relevant medical records and recent diagnostic imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT, ultrasound, lab work, etc.). Having these ready speeds up the process and lets the surgeon give you specific guidance on your very first call.
What happens next depends on why you had the scan and what it shows.
A radiologist (a doctor trained to read scans) reviews your CT images and writes a detailed report describing:
The CT result matters most when combined with your exam, symptoms, and medical history. Your doctor may say:
Common next steps include:
This is a big reason people go private: once you have a clear diagnosis, you can stop guessing and start the right treatment plan—whether that's surgery, medication, physio, or specialist care.
Surgency is free for patients, funded for by surgeons.
Surgeons—who meet our listing criteria—pay a flat fee to list on the Surgency platform. To maintain objectivity, there are no commissions, referral fees, nor any ranking or recommending one surgeon over another.
Surgency is patient-first. Our goal is to make the process of finding a private surgeon as simple as possible. You choose who to contact. Learn more in our Advertising Policy.
CT scans are generally very safe, but like any medical test, there are some risks to be aware of. Your individual risk depends on the body part being scanned, whether contrast dye is used, your overall health, and how many CT scans you've had in the past.
CT scans are quick and non-invasive, but a little preparation ensures the best images and safest experience.
If you still have questions, then feel free to contact us directly.


Diagnostic and screening imaging network providing MRI, CT, ultrasound, DEXA, fluoroscopy / GI studies, X-ray, paediatric imaging. 20 locations across Edmonton & Calgary.


One of Canada’s premier imaging facilities, offering rapid access to state-of-the-art MRI, CT, Ultrasound & 3D Mammography. Hospital-grade technology, sub-specialized radiologists & rapid turnaround times.