Alberta proposes changes to diagnostic screening

Alberta is developing plans to reimburse more people for private medical testing—if a serious condition is found.

The United Conservative Government is suggesting changes to access to diagnostic testing.

In a video released on Wednesday, the premier and health minister said new legislative reforms will allow Albertans to privately purchase any diagnostic screening and testing services they wish, including MRIs, CT scans, full-body scans and blood work.

This means, under these new rules, Albertans would no longer need a referral to book in for these private services.

“Albertans deserve timely answers about their health. By expanding access to preventative and elective testing, we’re empowering people to take control of their care and reducing wait times across the system,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

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The province says adding more private scans will deliver faster care, improve health outcomes and reduce strain on the public system. They also hope to attract new investment in diagnostic technology and facilities, while enabling early detection of developing health conditions.

“We are going to maintain the public health guarantee so that any medically necessary tests that are required and requisitioned by a physician will in fact continue to be prioritized within the system,” said Adriana LaGrange, Alberta’s health minister.

Under the proposed legislation, Albertans can be reimbursed for privately purchased diagnostic screening.

In order to qualify, the test needs to be for a condition that requires timely diagnosis and poses a serious threat to a person’s health or life.

The government says these conditions can be acute, such as a heart attack, stroke, or sepsis, or chronic and progressive issues such as cancer.

Since 2023, despite a rise in the number of CT scans being done, the waitlist grew by 44 per cent.

It’s a similar story for MRIs, in Calgary the waitlist is the longest with patients waiting 426 days before getting in for an appointment.

Alberta spends about a billion dollars every year on diagnostic imaging.

“I think this will help the public system because we will have a private market that will come into Alberta that has the ability to expand access, gives us more equipment, more people that would be able to provide access to Albertans,” said LaGrange.

“Right now, the system is overtaxed and we need to create situations where we can enhance it even further.”

The government says it will conduct stakeholder engagement on the proposal before legislation is introduced. It is expected to pass in whatever form it takes because of the UCP majority.

Concerns around two-tier health system

Critics feel this new plan may not align with the Canada Health Act and pushes those with less money further down the line.

“We’re basically seeing them committing to legislating a two-tiered access to health care in Alberta, into escalating privatization and a system where those with more money get to skip the queue while everyone else is left waiting,” said Chris Gallaway, executive director with Friends of Medicare.

“It’s American-style health care: if you have the money you’ll get access and if you don’t, you won’t.”

The opposition NDP is echoing these concerns, saying the announcement “pulls resources away from our public health care system” and creates longer wait times and poorer health outcomes for those that need care.