Our Services — NorthBridge Medical Care Travel
NorthBridge FAQ

Your questions answered

FAQ

Everything you need to know before you begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know

Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us directly — we respond within 24 hours.

About NorthBridge
What is NorthBridge Medical Care Travel?

NorthBridge Medical Care Travel is a Canadian medical travel coordination company based in Ottawa, Ontario. We serve clients across Ontario, including the Ottawa/Gatineau corridor and the Greater Toronto Area. We guide Canadian clients through the entire process of accessing safe, affordable medical and aesthetic procedures abroad — from the first consultation to post-operative follow-up. We are not a clinic. We are your dedicated bilingual guide throughout the journey.

Is NorthBridge a travel agency?

No. NorthBridge is a medical travel consultation company, not a travel agency. We do not sell flights or vacation packages. You purchase your own airline ticket. Our role is to coordinate your medical consultation, procedure, accommodation support, and follow-up care. At your request, we can also provide ideas for landmarks to visit during your stay, as well as practical tips on getting around, currency, and local advice — however, NorthBridge is not responsible for any travel-related activities outside of the medical coordination.

What makes NorthBridge different from booking directly with a clinic?

When you book directly with a clinic abroad, you are on your own — language barriers, logistics, post-op questions, and follow-up all fall on you. NorthBridge provides bilingual support at every step, coordinates everything on your behalf, and remains available to you before, during, and after your procedure in Canada. We also have translators available on-site during your journey to ensure you are always supported.

Is NorthBridge licensed and regulated?

NorthBridge Medical Care Travel Inc. is a registered Ontario corporation (Ontario Inc. #1001590313) and a federal corporation (#1789432-5). We operate in compliance with PIPEDA (Canada's Privacy Act) for the handling of all medical and personal information. The privacy of our clients is paramount — all information follows a strict protocol and is shared only with our clinic partner, never with any third party. Should you wish to provide consent to our clinic for promotional purposes or to share your testimonial, simply speak with us and we will inform our clinic accordingly.

Procedures & Clinic
Where are the procedures performed?

All procedures are performed at our certified clinic partner in Istanbul, Turkey — internationally recognized for quality care and state-of-the-art facilities. Note that the clinic staff is not bilingual — our translators are, and they speak more than just English and French. Because you are important to us and quality is our priority, our clinic partner performs only a limited number of procedures per day to ensure the highest standard of care and personalized service.

Is the clinic certified?

Yes. MedArt states that treatments are performed at contracted healthcare institutions holding an International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate issued under the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health framework.

Türkiye has a dedicated regulatory system for international healthcare. Healthcare facilities and intermediary organizations must obtain specific authorization to serve international patients, and the Ministry may suspend international health-tourism activities when the required authorization is not in place. The Ministry also maintains official lists of authorized providers.

This level of oversight reflects the importance Türkiye places on patient safety and on maintaining confidence in its international medical-tourism sector.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions — it would be my pleasure to assist you. You can also visit the NorthBridge Medical Care website for more information.

What procedures do you offer?

Our Services page for full details." data-fr="Nous coordonnons 8 catégories de procédures : Greffe capillaire, Chirurgie bariatrique, Rhinoplastie, Soins dentaires, LipoHD Vaser, Chirurgie mammaire, Chirurgie faciale et Soins orthopédiques et bien-être. Visitez notre page Nos Services pour tous les détails.">We coordinate 8 categories of procedures. Visit our Our Services page for full details.

Can I get a procedure that is not on your list?

Possibly. Contact us and describe what you are looking for. We will assess whether our clinic partner can accommodate your specific needs and get back to you within 24 hours.

Cost & Payment
How much does a procedure cost?

Prices vary depending on the procedure and your individual medical assessment. As a general guide, procedures in Istanbul typically cost 60–80% less than equivalent Canadian private-pay rates. Your personalized quote is included in your free consultation — there is no cost to find out.

Is the consultation really free?

Yes, completely. Your first consultation with NorthBridge is 100% free and includes a personalized quote for your procedure. There is no obligation to proceed.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and Interac e-Transfer. Interac e-Transfer payments qualify for a $100 CAD discount on your coordination fees.

Are there any hidden fees?

No. NorthBridge is transparent about all fees from the start. Your quote will clearly outline the coordination fee and the procedure cost. There are no surprises.

Does my Canadian insurance cover procedures abroad?

Most Canadian private insurance plans do not cover elective cosmetic procedures, whether performed in Canada or abroad. However, some plans may cover a portion of non-cosmetic procedures. We recommend verifying with your insurer before booking. NorthBridge can provide documentation to support your claim if needed.

The Journey
How long does the process take from first contact to procedure?

It depends on your procedure and availability, but typically 4–8 weeks from first consultation to travel date. Some procedures can be arranged faster depending on urgency and scheduling.

Do I need to speak Turkish?

No. NorthBridge has a dedicated multilingual translator team available on-site during your journey. Whether you speak French, English, or another language, you will always have someone to support and communicate for you throughout your stay in Istanbul.

Who accompanies me during my stay in Istanbul?

NorthBridge provides daily WhatsApp check-ins during your stay. At the clinic, the multilingual translator team manages all communication. Airport transfers and accommodation coordination are also arranged on your behalf.

What happens if there are complications after I return to Canada?

NorthBridge provides post-return follow-up calls and can connect you with local Canadian physicians for follow-up care if needed. Our clinic partner also provides a warranty and post-operative support protocol for all procedures.

Do I need a visa to travel to Turkey?

Yes. A Medical Tourism Visa is required and NorthBridge will take care of the entire process on your behalf. To prepare your documentation, we will need your passport and flight ticket. Once we have these, everything will be coordinated directly with Turkish customs — you have nothing to worry about.

Trust & Safety
Is it safe to have surgery abroad?

Medical travel is safe when properly coordinated with certified professionals. NorthBridge only works with internationally accredited clinic partners. We conduct due diligence on your behalf so that you can travel with confidence. Thousands of Canadians already travel abroad for medical procedures every year.

What if something goes wrong during the procedure?

Our clinic partner follows strict international medical protocols. In the unlikely event of a complication during your procedure, you are in a fully equipped medical facility with qualified surgeons and staff. NorthBridge remains in contact throughout and will coordinate any necessary response.

How do I know the clinic is reputable?

Our clinic partner has treated thousands of international patients, and treatments are performed at contracted healthcare institutions holding Türkiye's International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate. Our partnership was established through direct, on-the-ground verification, not through an online directory. NorthBridge visited and assessed the clinic before recommending it to Canadian clients. MedArtHair was also featured in a French-language article published by Le Devoir about Istanbul as a leading destination for hair transplantation.

Read the article in French (Le Devoir) →

Still have questions?

Our team responds within 24 hours — in French and in English.

Contact Us