Home / Health / Alberta Private Diagnostics Now Open for Self-Referral
Alberta Private Diagnostics Now Open for Self-Referral
28 Jul
Summary
- Albertans can now pay for MRI, CT, ultrasound, and X-ray tests without a doctor's referral.
- The new system allows patients to self-refer and pay out-of-pocket or via private insurance.
- Reimbursement is available for new cancer diagnoses, based on publicly funded rates.
Effective Friday, Albertans can begin paying for essential preventative diagnostic tests, including MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, and X-rays, without requiring a physician's referral. This new self-referral system permits individuals to pay directly, either through private insurance or out-of-pocket, with results furnished to them and integrated into their electronic health records. Premier Danielle Smith highlighted the initiative's goal of promoting early detection for better health outcomes and more confident, timely answers for families.
Patients diagnosed with cancer through these self-referred tests will be eligible for reimbursement at publicly funded rates within one year of their diagnosis. Those suspected of having cancer will be directed to Cancer Care Alberta. The province, where cancer is the leading cause of death, enacted this change following the royal assent of Bill 29 in May.
The Alberta government asserts that the publicly funded system's access to diagnostic tests will remain unaffected, with the new private option serving as a complement rather than a replacement. Critics, including the Alberta NDP, argue this move could exacerbate wait times and foster a two-tier healthcare system. However, Dr. Robert Davies, from Canada Diagnostic Centres, estimates a manageable increase in private tests, potentially quadrupling the current volume to around 50,000-60,000 annually within the broader context of seven million total exams.
