This isn't new... it's just being expanded.
Shouldice Hernia Hospital is an example of this.. and has been doing it for some time.
I just spent a week at Shouldice.. OHIP covered the operation and "public ward" stay.... It costs extra for a semi private room.
Here's the thing.. Shouldice doesn't actually have a "public ward".. only semi private rooms. I did meet a couple guys that said they requested the 'public ward' and didn't pay the extra for a semi private room.. but were staying in one anyway. Most were having it paid for by their insurance or work benefits... I don't have any so I paid for it outta pocket. It cost me about 310 per night... there's a couple of extra services you'd also pay for if you wanted.. massage therapy, etc.. I'm thinking they'd also be covered by a lot of insurance plans or benefits if someone had them... but am not sure. It's my understanding that those from other provinces were covered by, or would be reimbursed by, their home province's version of OHIP.
The process was pretty quick.. about 2.5 months from initial consultation to surgeries done. I was originally scheduled for surgery in March, but got a call a few days after the consultations to ask if I wanted to move it up to beginning of December because of a cancelation.. Mine was fast tracked more than most because my surgery was slightly different.. so I was on a different cancelation list.
The nurses, doctors and staff are very accommodating.. in my experience.. have better attitudes, are friendly and more accommodating than those I've experienced in public hospitals... probably due to environment and working conditions.
The food is restaurant quality.. fine dining... or close to it... and you're waited on. Dietary restrictions.. and some taste preferences were accommodated. Don't feel up to making your way to the dining room.. they'll serve you in your room or your floor's lounge.
There was a number of people there that flew in from other parts of the world to have their hernias repaired at Shouldice.. Japan, UK, Australia and the US.. I heard 7K US for a single hernia repair.. 12K US for two hernias.. from those patients.
I was alone in my room for the first couple of days.. and actually asked what I would have to pay to remain alone.. and was flat-out denied. According to staff.. there are no special rooms for anyone. Celebrities, US senators and others stay in the same rooms.. The facility is pretty open.. I wandered all over the place and didn't see any special wards or rooms.
