Calgary Clinic Charging Membership Fees Will Violate Canada Health Act

Health Canada has warned that a Calgary medical clinic that plans to charge patients for a faster access to a family doctor will be violating Medicare laws.

The agency says it has written to Alberta officials to inform them that the move runs “contrary to the Canada Health Act” and says the province risks losing federal transfer health payments if something is not done about it.

A Calgary medical clinic, the Marda Loop Medical Clinic, had informed its patients by email that it will now require annual membership fees from patients, to see them for four days a week, while one day will be free. The fee is $2,200 for an individual and $4,800 for a family.

If paid, the clinic promises faster access to the physician, alongside extended sessions, at-home blood tests and other services. The Canadian Press reports that the physician and owner of the clinic, Dr. Sally Talbot-Jones tells patients that the decision was made to “provide better care in response to patient concerns about long waits for appointments.”

In a statement, Health Canada said “the Government of Canada does not support a two-tiered health-care system where patients may choose, or be required, to pay membership fees to access insured primary care services at clinics, or to gain expedited access to those services.”

“We are working collaboratively with the province of Alberta to ensure the clinic’s patients continue to receive medically necessary services free of patient charges” reads the statement.

On Tuesday, Smith and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange issued a joint statement saying there is directive for Alberta Health to investigate the clinic to “ensure compliance with all legislation”, reports the Canadian Press. “Alberta’s government would be extremely concerned if this clinic were charging fees for services that are insured and offering accelerated access to a family physician, at the expense of other patients needing to wait longer”, said the statement.

“Albertans do not pay out of pocket for insured health services such as seeing a family doctor or visiting a hospital – that will not change.”

Visit www.africanpridemagazine.com for more