At the Desert Institute for Spine Care (DISC), we believe that no patient should endure months of pain waiting to see a surgeon, to receive a diagnosis and be treated. Over the past 20 years, we’ve seen a significant increase in Canadians seeking spine care at our practice. In fact, we have treated patients from around the world because of our expertise and leadership in endoscopic, artificial disc and minimally invasive spine surgery.
The Fraser Institute’s 2023 “Waiting Your Turn” report highlights the significant challenges faced by Canadian patients, with median wait times from a general practitioner’s referral to see a spine specialist reaching up to 28.3 weeks, the longest ever recorded. Following this, Canadians face an additional up to 27.7-week wait for actual surgery after seeing the spine specialist.
In response to these lengthy delays, DISC, located in Phoenix, Arizona, offers a compassionate and efficient alternative for those in need of timely expert care. Our Canadian Spine Care Program provides rapid relief for those in pain through fast, efficient virtual appointments, and diagnostic services such as MRI and injections within 1-3 weeks. If patients are deemed candidates for surgery after meeting virtually with our spine surgeons, we can deliver treatment within a few short weeks of the spine surgeon consultation.
In our years of experience treating Canadians, we’ve pinpointed three primary areas where most Canadians suffering with spinal conditions request assistance.
If you are suffering in pain your wait time at DISC is 1-2 weeks to see our surgeons. DISC can offer Canadians the following:
Schedule appointments with our expert and experience spine specialists.
Receive your MRI on the same day as your appointment at a significant cash discount. (for in person visit to Phoenix only)
Benefit from ultra-minimally invasive procedures not available in Canada.
Know your costs before you travel.
When you decide to travel to Phoenix, AZ, we offer convenient appointments to accommodate your schedule. You literally can fly in and out in as little as three days.
We offer an in-person consultation with one of our expert spine surgeons and if needed a same-day MRI service at a major discount to Canadian private MRI centers. Your wait time is one to two weeks. We will arrange all your appointments so when you travel to Phoenix you will only need a few days to get an MRI and see our surgeon for a diagnosis/treatment plan.
You have an MRI and are either waiting too long to see a spine surgeon OR your wait time for surgery is several months away. DISC offers a virtual second opinion within one to two weeks. Our typical wait time for surgery is 3-4 weeks.
Every year, we welcome patients from across the United States and internationally to DISC for expertly coordinated spine care. Our seamless process ensures that patients traveling to Phoenix, Arizona are seen, diagnosed, and receive surgical care within a week, making the most of their time away from home. We handle all appointments from the initial visit to surgery and follow-up, ensuring a safe return home. Our concierge experience caters to your medical needs and personal preferences, making you feel welcomed and comfortable. We recommend local hotels with discounts for DISC patients and provide a resources page with Phoenix-area restaurants and attractions. Many choose DISC not only for our exceptional spine care but also because Phoenix is a popular vacation destination with warm annual temperatures ranging from 60 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fill out the registration and intake questionnaire about your pain, upload your MRI and other medical images, and complete the process with online payment.
A patient advocate will contact you within one business day to guide you through the process, document your request, and answer questions.
With your consent, staff will gather your medical records and prepare them for the expert spine surgeon’s review.
The surgeon reviews your records, imaging studies, and current treatment plan. A virtual call with the surgeon can be scheduled to address your questions.
Meet with a spine surgeon via live video call. The surgeon explains findings, answers questions, and provides a written report summarizing the opinion.
If you proceed with the treatment plan, staff will assist with appointment scheduling and travel accommodations.
Don’t just take our word for it. See what patients of DISC are saying about their experiences with our highly-skilled spine surgeons.
For Canadians facing prolonged wait times and high costs for spine surgery, traveling to the Desert Institute for Spine Care (DISC) in Phoenix, Arizona, offers a compelling alternative. DISC provides significant cost savings and timely access to top-tier medical care. Here are five key benefits of choosing DISC for spine surgery, highlighting how this decision can be both financially advantageous and medically superior.
Avoid the extended wait times in Canada, leading to a faster return to normal activities and reducing the costs associated with prolonged medical issues.
DISC offers bundled pricing for surgery, consultations, and follow-up care, eliminating the uncertainty and potential high costs of separate billing.
The overall cost of surgery at DISC may be lower than in Canada, especially when considering the inclusive nature of DISC’s packages and the high cost of prolonged treatment delays.
With efficient scheduling and support for travel logistics, the expenses related to travel and accommodation are minimized, making the process cost-effective.
Access to world-class spine surgeons and advanced ultra-minimally invasive techniques at DISC can lead to better outcomes and reduced recovery times, which can lower the overall cost of post-operative care and rehabilitation.
By choosing DISC, Canadians can bypass long waitlists and receive world-class spine care promptly, ensuring better health outcomes and an improved quality of life.
Contact us for more details or to schedule a second opinion.
