How Much Does a Doctor's Note Cost in Canada? 7 Price Factors — 2026

1. Sick Note Pricing Comparison

The cost of a sick note varies significantly depending on where and how you obtain it. Here is a breakdown of typical costs across different provider types in Canada.

Provider	Cost	Wait Time	Same-Day?
Family Doctor	$0-$40	Days-Weeks	Often no
Walk-in Clinic	$20-$50	1-4 hours	Usually
Telehealth (MediNote)	$55 flat	Minutes	Yes
Urgent Care	$50-$100+	1-6 hours	Usually

Family doctors offer the lowest cost if you have an established relationship, but appointment availability is often the bottleneck. Walk-in clinics provide same-day access at moderate cost but require significant wait times. Telehealth eliminates travel and wait times for a predictable flat fee.

2. Why Do Doctors Charge for Sick Notes?

Completing a sick note is classified as an uninsured service in Canada. This means provincial health insurance plans do not cover it, even if the doctor's visit itself is covered.

Provincial plans like OHIP, MSP, and AHCIP cover medically necessary physician visits. However, administrative documentation like sick notes, insurance forms, and medical certificates falls outside this coverage.

The Canadian Medical Association has noted that these administrative tasks take physician time away from clinical care. A fee is standard practice across the country, and individual physicians set their own rates.

3. Costs by Province

Sick note fees vary across provinces because each provincial medical association sets different fee guidelines. These are approximate ranges based on current guidelines.

Ontario: The OMA suggested fee for an uninsured certificate is typically $20-$40. Some family doctors absorb this cost for established patients, while walk-in clinics almost always charge.

British Columbia: Physicians may charge $30-$50 for a sick note. The BC walk-in clinic market tends to be slightly more expensive than Ontario.

Alberta: Physicians often charge $25-$50 for sick notes. The AMA provides guidelines, but individual practices set their own fees.

These are guidelines only. Individual practices can charge more or less depending on their own policies and the complexity of the documentation required.

4. Hidden Costs of Getting a Sick Note

The sticker price of a sick note does not tell the full story. Several indirect costs can make an in-person visit significantly more expensive than it appears.

Travel costs including gas, parking, or transit fare add up. In major cities, parking near a walk-in clinic can cost $10-$20 alone.

Lost wages from hours spent waiting in line represent the largest hidden cost. If you earn $25/hour and wait 3 hours at a walk-in clinic, that is $75 in lost wages on top of the note fee.

Exposure risk is a real concern. Sitting in a crowded waiting room while already ill can worsen your condition or expose you to additional infections.

Multiple trips may be necessary if your family doctor cannot see you same-day and the walk-in clinic wait is too long. Each trip compounds the costs above.

5. The Telehealth Alternative

Telehealth services eliminate most hidden costs by delivering the entire experience from your home. You consult by phone, and the note is delivered digitally.

MediNote offers a flat $55 fee that covers both the physician consultation and same-day sick note delivery. There are no hidden charges and no surprise bills. You can do it from your couch while resting.

No travel means no gas, parking, or transit costs. No waiting means no lost wages beyond the 10-15 minutes for the consultation itself. No waiting room means no exposure to other patients.

The note is delivered digitally to your dashboard and is valid for employers and schools across Canada. You can download it as a PDF, print it, or email it directly.

6. Can You Get the Cost Reimbursed?

Several paths may help offset or eliminate the out-of-pocket cost of a sick note. The availability depends on your employer and benefits package.

Employer reimbursement is worth asking about, especially if your employer is the one requiring the documentation. Some companies have policies that cover the cost of required medical documentation.

Extended health benefits through your employer may cover telehealth consultations. Check your benefits booklet or contact your plan administrator.

Health spending accounts (HSA) often cover physician consultation fees. If your employer provides an HSA, telehealth sick notes are typically an eligible expense.

Tax deductions may apply. Medical expenses including physician consultation fees can be claimed on your Canadian tax return if they exceed the annual threshold.

7. Key Takeaways on Sick Note Costs

Knowing the full cost picture helps you make the most cost-effective choice. The cheapest option on paper is not always the cheapest in practice.

• Sick notes are uninsured services in every Canadian province
• Family doctors are cheapest ($0-$40) but hardest to get into quickly
• Walk-in clinics are moderate cost ($20-$50) but involve significant wait times
• Telehealth ($55 flat) eliminates travel, waiting, and exposure costs
• Check your benefits — many plans cover telehealth consultations

Sources: Ontario Medical Association. BC Medical Association. Canadian Medical Association. Provincial health insurance guidelines. Prices are approximate and may vary by provider and location. Information current as of February 2026.