Health Minister Jason Copping announces billing changes for Alberta physicians. (Image: Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Cap lifted on billing physician visits in Alberta

Nov 21, 2022 | 2:35 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta has announced a change that it believes will improve the ability of Albertans to visit their doctor.

There will no longer be a daily cap on the number of visits a physician can fully bill to the government. Currently, if a physician sees more than 50 patients in one day, they would only receive a partial payment for additional patients.

Alberta Medical Association (AMA) President Dr. Fredrykka Rinaldi says this change will allow doctors to see more patients throughout the day.

“The AMA agreement allows physicians and government to work together on challenges facing patients and physicians in the health-care system,” says Rinaldi. “This early step to remove the services cap is an important example that will allow more physicians to care for more patients while helping to stabilize physician practices.”

This measure applies to general practitioners and specialists including pediatricians and ophthalmologists.

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Health Minister Jason Copping says this is part of a new agreement with the AMA.

“We’ve heard from some physicians that the daily visit cap was having a negative impact on patient access, so this change addresses those concerns,” says Copping. “It is also part of the new agreement with the AMA where we are listening to physicians and working with them as partners moving forward.”

The agreement also includes a one percent rate increase in each of the next three years, providing an additional $46 million in total.

There will also be a one-time, one percent lump sum payment in 2022-23, totalling $45 million.

The Government of Alberta announced a series of healthcare reforms last week, which includes the replacement of the current Alberta Health Services board with a new Official Administrator. There are also several measures aimed at reducing wait times for EMS, emergency rooms, and surgeries.

by David Opinko