Calgary Walk-In Clinics vs Online Sick Notes - Which is Better?
Should you wait 3 hours at a Calgary walk-in clinic or get your sick note online? We break down the real costs, wait times, and pros/cons.
## Calgary Walk-In Clinics vs Online Sick Notes
You're sick, your employer needs a note, and you're weighing your options. In Calgary, that usually means either dragging yourself to a walk-in clinic or using an online service. Here's an honest comparison.
### Calgary Walk-In Clinic Reality
**Average wait times at popular Calgary clinics:**
| Clinic | Typical Wait |
|--------|-------------|
| Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre | 1.5-3 hours |
| South Calgary Health Centre | 1.5-3 hours |
| Sunridge Medical Clinic | 1.5-3 hours |
| Crowfoot Village Family Practice | 1.5-3 hours |
| Peter Lougheed Centre Urgent Care | 1.5-3 hours |
**The hidden costs of "free" walk-in visits:**
- Gas/transit: $5-20
- Parking: $5-15
- Time off work (if going before/after shift): 3-5 hours total
- Exposure to other sick patients in the waiting room
- Stress of driving while feeling terrible
**When walk-in clinics make sense:**
- You need a physical examination
- You need a prescription (antibiotics, etc.)
- You have symptoms that concern you beyond needing documentation
- You want to discuss your health with a doctor in person
### Online Sick Notes (MedLetter)
**How it works in Calgary:**
1. Go to medletter.ca from your phone or computer
2. Fill out a secure health questionnaire (5 minutes)
3. CPSA physician reviews your information
4. Official sick note PDF delivered to your inbox (1-4 hours)
- **Cost:** $49 flat fee
- **Time investment:** 5 minutes of your time
- **Travel:** None - do it from bed
**When online sick notes make sense:**
- You just need documentation for your employer
- You don't need a physical exam or prescription
- You don't want to sit in a waiting room for hours
- You're too sick to drive safely
### The Verdict for Calgary Residents
**Choose a walk-in clinic if:** You need medical treatment, a prescription, or are genuinely concerned about your symptoms and want hands-on care.
**Choose MedLetter if:** You know what's wrong (cold, flu, migraine, etc.) and just need the paperwork for your employer. Why spend 3 hours in a waiting room when you can get the same legally valid document in minutes?
### Are Online Sick Notes Accepted by Calgary Employers?
Yes. A sick note from a CPSA-registered physician is valid regardless of whether the consultation was in-person or virtual. There is no Alberta law requiring in-person visits for medical documentation. Major Calgary employers accept online sick notes.
### Calgary Students
If you're a student at University of Calgary or Mount Royal University or SAIT or Bow Valley College, MedLetter can also provide medical notes for deferred exams and academic accommodations. [Learn more](/get-started/school_accommodation)
### Get Your Calgary Sick Note Now
Skip the walk-in clinic wait. Get your official sick note from a licensed Alberta physician: [Get Started - $49](/get-started/sick_note)