Alberta announces $250 million funding model for family doctors

Alberta is deploying a new payment model for family doctors to attract and retain talent and improve healthcare access.

Alberta, like other provinces, has problems with medical wait times, access to care and a shortage of doctors. Around 400,000 people have immigrated to Alberta over the last several years — around 600,000 residents do not have primary care doctors.

The new remuneration model, it is said, will make Alberta family doctors the best paid and most patient-focused in Canada. The program will cost around $250 million per year once up and running.

“Albertans must be able to access a primary care provider," said Premier Danielle Smith.

"At the start of this process, we recognized that Alberta physicians were struggling with administrative costs, burnout and a health system that wasn't working for them. These challenges made it difficult to recruit new graduates and to maintain the primary care physicians who are practicing in our community. Recruitment and retention of family physicians is a nationwide challenge."

Smith said the province worked hard with stakeholders and the Alberta Medical Association to develop a payment model that will not only support doctors, but also improve physician access.

"Ultimately, our deal will make Alberta an even more attractive place to practice family medicine.”

The new model is engineered to encourage — potentially overworked — doctors to increase their patient numbers and to encourage full-time practice.

Incentives include increases for maintaining a minimum of 500 patients to improve patient access, providing after-hours care to relieve pressure on emergency departments and urgent care, and improving technology to help streamline workflow.

“We have worked with the Alberta Medical Association to address the challenges that primary care physicians are facing. This model will provide the supports physicians need and improve patient access to the care they need,” said Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange.

The incentives are also related to enhancing team-based care — including working with pharmacists and adding clinic operation efficiencies.

The new program will start in January with full implementation in spring 2025, providing there are a minimum of 500 doctors enrolled.