If you are like most Canadians, you often struggle to see your family doctor. However, some Canadians have no trouble at all. Quebec government data indicates that one patient visited their family doctor 362 times in 2024. One might wonder which three days they did not meet with their doctor—perhaps Christmas, Easter, or the Super Bowl?
Patient confidentiality means we will likely never know the specifics. Yet, it is clear that all provincial governments should more closely review cases of excessive doctor appointments. Data obtained by SecondStreet.org shows that Quebec's experience is not unique. While most doctors and patients are undoubtedly ethical, abuse of the system should concern everyone. Overuse costs taxpayers and diverts resources from those with legitimate needs.
High-Volume Patients Across Provinces
Quebec's super-patient is not an isolated case. The province's other top 10 users ranged from 295 to 346 general practitioner appointments in the same year. Manitoba's top patient had 252 appointments in a single year, while British Columbia and Saskatchewan peaked at 209 and 199 visits, respectively. In Alberta, the government reports that 9,331 patients had 100 or more appointments in 2024, and the province has promised to investigate these numbers.
Evidence of Abuse
The key question is how many high-volume cases are legitimate versus how many involve patients taking advantage of free healthcare or doctors abusing billing systems. Evidence suggests abuse exists; the extent is uncertain. Late last year, Ontario's auditor noted that one physician billed more than 24 hours of services on 98 days between May 2021 and April 2022. On one day, this physician billed 114 hours of services. The report added that the ministry's post-payment audit found the physician's clinical records lacked start and stop times, identifying almost $1.4 million in overpayments. Another physician billed over 24 hours of services on 15 days within a six-month period in 2020-21.
Patient Abuse Examples
Social media posts about SecondStreet.org's research also allude to patient abuse. One Facebook commenter noted that at a clinic in Edmonton, some patients visit weekly, even after the doctor went on medical leave. When asked why, they shrugged and said they just come in to check in.
Impact on Unserved Canadians
This occurs while an estimated six million Canadians lack a family doctor. Curtailing overuse and abuse could free up resources to help these individuals. Some have proposed user fees to deter patient abuse. A small fee would likely make patients more judicious, perhaps waiting an extra day to see if a cold clears before visiting a doctor. Those regularly checking in for no reason might reconsider, as even a $10 fee per visit would accumulate over time.
Political Challenges
User fees are politically unfeasible. A 2025 poll commissioned by SecondStreet.org found that 59% of Canadians oppose paying just $10 for an appointment. With the high cost of living as a top political issue and taxes for healthcare already high, politicians are unlikely to implement such a change.
