Here’s Why More Canadians are Choosing Maple to get Healthcare Anytime, Anywhere

Remember the last time you or one of your loved ones was sick and in need of medical care? Could you get an appointment with your family doctor right away, no matter the time of day or night? Or did you have to wait hours or days to get diagnosed? 

Maybe you chose instead to travel to a walk-in clinic and waited hours in a room crowded with other sick people? Or to go to the nearest emergency room, even though you knew that your issue was likely not an emergency because it felt like the only option? 

Canada’s healthcare system has become overloaded and overwhelmed, with not enough primary care providers like doctors and nurse practitioners, to go around. In fact, more than 6.5 million Canadians no longer have a family doctor, a number that is growing every year. The result is that Canadians are forced to rely on clinics and ERs for urgent care, while also putting off non-urgent care, resulting in delayed care for significant health concerns — and the disregard of minor issues that may turn into major ones. 

At Maple, our vision is to support the health of Canadians and strengthen the healthcare system by filling the growing gap in access to direct, timely healthcare. Maple is now available across Canada* as a monthly membership, providing Canadians and their families daily, on-demand access to Canadian-licensed doctors and nurse practitioners 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long. 

Here’s a story of how one Maple member, Karson**, was able to overcome his challenges accessing a primary care provider. Since moving from Vancouver to Toronto five years ago, Karson has been on Ontario’s waitlist for a primary care provider. He was feeling unwell and knew he should get a check-up, but had a busy work schedule, travelled frequently for work, and couldn’t take hours out of his day to visit a clinic.

After downloading the Maple app and signing up for a membership, he was able to access the care he needed within minutes. The Canadian-licensed doctor he met with on Maple offered a thorough, personalized consultation and provided the necessary requisitions for his long-postponed blood work.

“The doctor asked me real questions, they were informed, and they were actually trying to dig to the root of the problem—not just see me once and then see the next person,” Karson shared. “It didn’t feel like a transaction; it felt like this person was actually caring for me.”

Becoming a Maple member offers a reliable, easy-to-use solution for addressing various healthcare needs, whether it’s a quick check-in on an everyday health concern or a consultation for a more serious issue. You and your family will feel empowered to seek the care you need whenever you need it, not just when health concerns become too severe to ignore. Read on to learn what you and your family can expect from our membership.

More convenient, everyday care

Daily care at your fingertips, all month long — whether at home or abroad

If you’re one of the many Canadians who can’t speak to a primary care provider as soon as you need it, we can help. Connecting with primary care providers takes just minutes, so you can get back to your life — whether that’s work, school, travelling, or time with family and friends — sooner, any time you need it. 

Depending on your situation getting medical care can mean travelling long distances or needing to take time off work. Factor in the cost of public transit or gas, and the expenses to actually see a doctor start to add up. That’s why we’re here for you anytime, anywhere — whether you’re located in one of Canada’s more rural communities, a shift worker needing appointments outside regular business hours, or have difficulty taking time away from work. 

With Canadian-licensed primary care providers available 24/7/365, you can connect with trusted medical advice no matter if it’s 2 p.m. or 2 a.m. Frequent travellers like Karson, can connect with Canadian-licensed primary care providers while away from home or out of the country and receive medical advice or diagnoses.  

Everyday medical services made seamless

When you have a virtual visit on Maple, a primary care provider can provide a medical diagnosis, prescription, medical notes, lab work, and any necessary medical notes at their discretion. And, if you’ve ever found it hard to keep up with doctor’s instructions, the names of prescriptions, or even remember what you talked about during the visit, our app can help.

All of your medical documentation is secure within our app and available for reference anytime. For Karson, having easily accessible medical data and receiving app notifications on the next steps gave him the confidence to take the right steps in his care. Plus, medical data is available to any provider you see — meaning you don’t have to start from scratch and explain your history every time you meet a new provider on Maple.

“All my medical data is stored in my Maple account, and I know where to reference it. I was actually able to see the blood work myself and have a conversation with the provider about it,” said Karson.  

More value for you and your family 

Care for your kids in just a few taps

If you’ve ever had to take care of your sick child, you know what it’s like to quickly reprioritize your responsibilities to give them the care they need. That’s why our membership includes covered visits with paediatric nurse practitioners, so your little ones can see the right provider for them.  

Paediatric primary care is available to you every single day, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Eligible dependents under 18 can be added to your account at no additional cost, so they can always get the care they need without you having to take them to the clinic when they aren’t feeling well. 

A more healthy tomorrow

A direct path to specialist care in days, not months

Too often, Canadians have to overcome major obstacles to get a specialist referral from a primary care provider, only to find out that the next available appointment is months away. 

In 2023, Canadians faced an average wait time of 27.7 weeks to see specialists, a staggering wait time that can, unfortunately, jeopardize existing health concerns when your concern is timely. With our membership, you’re able to see a specialist by directly booking an appointment within days, not weeks — no referral required. 

The range of medical specialists available on Maple includes mental health physicians and counselors, dermatologists, endocrinologists, respirologists, and paramedical specialists like naturopaths and dietitians, and more. 

With the power to book medical specialists and paramedicals without a referral, you can access the specialists you need when you have a pressing issue — or if you want to ensure you keep your health in check. 

Take control of your health

Being a member means you can rely on us for more than just reacting to sickness. A membership means you can be proactive about future issues by consulting the many kinds of healthcare professionals you’ll need to take care of your overall health.

Our membership includes access to proactive screenings and evidence-based health insights that can help inform the conversations you have with the doctors and nurse practitioners on Maple.  

Our Personal Health Check-In feature, for example, is a series of proactive screenings and tests that evaluate your health and inform you of possible risks, and recommend measures you can take. With assessments focusing on common health concerns such as diabetes, cardiovascular health risks, and more, you’ll get evidence-based insights personalized to your age, lifestyle, and medical history. 

Another great benefit of our membership is having access to expert second medical opinions. If you or your loved ones ever receive a life-changing diagnosis like multiple sclerosis or cancer, we can support you with an expert second medical opinion. We’ll connect you with leading medical specialists for a second opinion on your specific issue, who can discuss your diagnosis and treatment plan. When you’re feeling unsure about navigating difficult issues, we are there for you and your family’s health. 

Join Maple today and experience the benefits of membership 

For many Canadians like Karson, joining Maple means more check-ins with the doctor for small things before they become big things and more freedom from having to travel to the clinic or wait for an appointment with a doctor.

Our membership will give you access to medical care and advice when you need it most — and even when you don’t need it most, you can rely on us to help you take control of your everyday and long-term health. 

“It’s just the peace of mind of knowing that if I needed a consult or if I had a question, it was just a couple of clicks away,” said Karson. “I think digital-first is the right thing to do.” 

Disclaimer: Virtual care is not meant for medical emergencies. If you are experiencing an emergency like chest pain or difficulty breathing, for example, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

*Excluding Quebec and Nova Scotia.

**Full name omitted for anonymity.