Alberta is considering making changes to its laws to allow individuals to privately pay for diagnostic and preventive tests, such as MRIs, CT scans, and full-body scans, without needing a doctor’s referral.
Private testing options already exist in Alberta, but the government acknowledges that the current choices are limited. They assure that if a privately funded test reveals a significant or critical health issue, the individual will be reimbursed for the cost to ensure no one has to pay for essential tests.
The government believes that this move will enhance accessibility, relieve strain on public resources, and lead to better health outcomes through early detection. Alberta’s Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, Adriana LaGrange, sees this as a step towards modernizing the healthcare system to attract more investment and healthcare professionals to benefit all Albertans.
However, critics, including Dr. Paul Parks of the Alberta Medical Association, warn that this shift could widen disparities and put additional strain on public healthcare services. They fear that those with financial means will receive faster and superior care, potentially overwhelming the public system.
The government reassures that physician-recommended tests will continue to be fully covered and prioritized in both public and private facilities.
Addressing concerns about technician availability, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith clarifies that the issue is not a lack of technicians but the limited number of procedures funded by the province. She emphasizes the importance of utilizing the full capacity of healthcare facilities and ensuring prompt reimbursement and treatment for individuals diagnosed through private testing.
While some, like Renaud Brossard from the Montreal Economic Institute, support the idea, others, like Dr. Parks, argue that expanding private pay access to imaging services could exacerbate the shortage of skilled technologists in public hospitals. They highlight the existing disparities in MRI wait times between private and public sectors.
In response, government representatives acknowledge workforce shortages but stress that the healthcare sector continually attracts new workers through training programs and job creation. They refute claims that private sector job growth negatively impacts public healthcare staffing.
Dr. Eddy Lang, from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, expresses skepticism about the preventative benefits of widespread access to diagnostic tests, noting the risks of unnecessary follow-ups and anxiety from incidental findings. However, the government asserts that early detection through preventive screenings can lead to improved health outcomes and dismisses concerns about increased backlogs.
As the province moves forward with consultations on the legislative changes required for expanding preventive screening options, stakeholders and patients like Isabelle Cliche, who is facing a long wait for an MRI, are closely monitoring developments. Updates on the proposed amendments are anticipated in the first half of 2026.
