Our Story
SkipTheWait.ca was born from a deeply personal experience. In 2018, our founder Michael Thompson was told he would need to wait 14 months for a knee replacement surgery in British Columbia. Living with constant pain and limited mobility, Michael began researching alternatives and discovered the option of receiving high-quality surgical care abroad at a fraction of the waiting time.
After successfully undergoing his procedure in Thailand just three weeks after making the decision—and experiencing a remarkable recovery—Michael realized that many Canadians were unaware of these options or felt overwhelmed by the prospect of arranging international medical care.
What began as sharing his experience with friends and family quickly evolved into a mission: to help fellow Canadians access timely, affordable surgical care without the excessive wait times of our public healthcare system.
In 2019, SkipTheWait.ca was officially established, and since then, we have helped over 2,500 Canadians receive the surgical care they needed without enduring prolonged waits that impact quality of life.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple: to empower Canadians with options for timely, high-quality surgical care beyond our borders.
We believe that:
- No one should endure months or years of pain while waiting for necessary surgery
- Access to timely healthcare is a fundamental right
- Canadians deserve transparent information about all available options
- International healthcare can offer excellent standards at significantly reduced wait times
- The journey to better health should be as stress-free as possible
What We Do
SkipTheWait.ca serves as a trusted bridge between Canadians seeking faster surgical care and world-class international medical facilities. We offer:
Medical Tourism Facilitation
We connect patients with accredited hospitals and qualified surgeons abroad, specializing in coordinating care in:
- Mexico – Excellent for orthopedic, dental, and cosmetic procedures with minimal travel time
- United States – Premium care with the shortest travel distance and no language barriers
- Costa Rica – Exceptional dental and cosmetic surgery in a recovery-friendly environment
- Thailand – World-class hospital care with hospitality-focused recovery
- India – Advanced medical expertise at the most competitive pricing
Comprehensive Concierge Service
For patients who prefer a completely managed experience, our concierge service provides end-to-end coordination of your medical journey for a flat fee of $500. This includes:
- Personalized facility and surgeon selection
- Complete travel planning and logistics
- Medical record management and transfer
- Appointment scheduling and coordination
- Recovery accommodation arrangements
- 24/7 support throughout your journey
- Follow-up care coordination upon return to Canada
Educational Resources
We provide extensive information about:
- Canadian wait time realities by province and specialty
- Quality standards and accreditations of international facilities
- Cost comparisons between Canadian private care and international options
- What to expect during medical travel
- Recovery considerations and planning
- Insurance and financial aspects of medical tourism
Our Approach
What distinguishes SkipTheWait.ca from other medical tourism facilitators is our uniquely Canadian perspective and patient-centered approach:
Independent Recommendations
Unlike many medical tourism facilitators, we do not accept commissions or referral fees from healthcare providers. This allows us to make unbiased recommendations based solely on quality of care and suitability for your specific needs.
Quality Assurance
We exclusively work with:
- JCI-accredited hospitals meeting international quality standards
- Surgeons with verifiable credentials and experience
- Facilities with proven track records treating Canadian patients
- Medical providers offering comprehensive aftercare
- Partners who maintain transparent communication and pricing
Transparent Communication
We believe in complete transparency about:
- The realities of seeking care abroad (both benefits and risks)
- The full spectrum of costs involved
- The credentials and experience of recommended surgeons
- The potential challenges of recovery away from home
- The process of reintegrating with Canadian healthcare upon return
Personalized Care
We recognize that every patient’s needs are unique, which is why:
- We take time to understand your specific medical situation
- We consider your personal preferences and comfort level
- We accommodate travel companions and family needs
- We adapt our recommendations to your budget
- We respect your timeline and urgency level
Our Team
SkipTheWait.ca brings together professionals with diverse expertise in healthcare, international travel, and patient advocacy:
Michael Thompson, Founder & CEO
After his personal experience with international medical care, Michael dedicated himself to helping other Canadians access similar options. With a background in healthcare administration, he brings both personal insight and professional expertise to the organization.
Dr. Sarah Chen, Medical Director
A Canadian-trained physician with international experience, Dr. Chen reviews all medical facilities in our network and ensures that our recommendations meet stringent quality standards.
James Wilson, Head of Patient Services
With over 15 years in healthcare customer service, James leads our patient experience team, ensuring that every interaction with SkipTheWait.ca is informative, supportive, and compassionate.
Olivia Rodriguez, International Relations Director
Fluent in four languages and with extensive experience in international healthcare coordination, Olivia maintains our relationships with medical facilities worldwide and stays abreast of emerging options for Canadian patients.
Robert Miller, Travel Logistics Coordinator
With a background in medical evacuation services and international travel planning, Robert ensures that all travel arrangements prioritize patient comfort, safety, and special needs.
Our extended team includes:
- Regional coordinators in each destination country
- Patient advocates with personal medical tourism experience
- Administrative staff dedicated to prompt communication
- A network of medical professionals for consultation
What Sets Us Apart
A Truly Canadian Perspective
As Canadians ourselves, we understand the unique challenges and considerations of navigating our healthcare system. We recognize the strengths of Canadian healthcare while acknowledging its limitations in providing timely surgical interventions.
Focus on Educational Empowerment
We believe informed patients make better decisions. Rather than simply processing referrals, we invest significant time in educating our clients about their options, the potential benefits and risks, and what to realistically expect from medical travel.
Continuous Follow-Up
Our relationship with patients doesn’t end when they return to Canada. We maintain communication to ensure smooth reintegration with the Canadian healthcare system and address any follow-up needs.
Community Building
We facilitate connections between past patients and those considering similar journeys, creating a community of Canadians who support each other through shared experiences.
Our Commitment to Ethical Practice
Medical tourism raises important ethical considerations, and we are committed to responsible facilitation:
- We provide complete information about both benefits and risks
- We never encourage patients to pursue unnecessary procedures
- We respect the role of Canadian healthcare providers and work to complement their care
- We actively follow up to ensure quality outcomes and patient satisfaction
- We regularly reassess our partner facilities to ensure continued quality
- We advocate for improvements in both Canadian and international healthcare standards
Testimonials From Our Patients
“SkipTheWait gave me back my life. After two years of waiting for hip replacement surgery in Nova Scotia, they helped me receive treatment in Thailand within 3 weeks. Their knowledge and support throughout the entire process was extraordinary. One year later, I’m pain-free and active again.”
— Margaret S., 64, Halifax
“When my cardiac surgeon said I’d need to wait 4 months for bypass surgery, my family and I were terrified. SkipTheWait arranged everything for care at a world-class facility in India. Their attention to detail—from coordinating with my Canadian cardiologist to arranging wheelchair assistance at every airport—made an otherwise stressful experience remarkably smooth.”
— Robert K., 71, Toronto
“As someone who works in healthcare in Canada, I was skeptical about medical tourism. SkipTheWait’s educational approach changed my mind. They provided research, credentials, and direct video consultations with my potential surgeon in Mexico. The transparency throughout the process was refreshing. My knee replacement outcome exceeded expectations.”
— Dr. James L., 58, Calgary
Ready to Explore Your Options?
If you’re facing a long wait for surgery in Canada and want to understand alternatives, we’re here to help. Our initial consultations are completely free and carry no obligation.
During your consultation, we’ll:
- Listen to your specific medical situation
- Provide realistic information about international options
- Answer all your questions about the process
- Present potential next steps if you’re interested in proceeding
Whether you ultimately choose to pursue care abroad or remain on a Canadian waiting list, we believe every patient deserves complete information about their options.
Contact Us
Email: info@skipthewait.ca
Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-7pm EST, Saturday 10am-4pm EST
Main Office:
1133 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1W1
We also offer virtual consultations for patients across Canada.
SkipTheWait.ca is an independent medical tourism facilitator and does not provide medical services directly. We connect patients with international healthcare providers and facilitate the process of receiving care abroad. Always consult with your Canadian healthcare provider before making decisions about your medical care.