The province of Alberta is considering changes to its laws to allow individuals to pay for diagnostic and preventive tests like MRIs, CT scans, and full-body scans without a doctor’s referral. While some private testing options are currently available in Alberta, the government acknowledges that the choices are limited. If a privately purchased test uncovers a significant or critical condition, the individual will be reimbursed for the cost, ensuring that no one has to pay for medically necessary tests.
Advocates of the move argue that it will improve accessibility, relieve strain on public resources, and enhance early detection and health outcomes. Alberta’s Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, Adriana LaGrange, sees this as a step towards modernizing the healthcare system and attracting more investments and healthcare professionals to the province.
However, critics caution that this approach may widen the gap in healthcare access and increase the burden on the public health system. Dr. Paul Parks, the president-elect of the Alberta Medical Association’s section of emergency medicine, warns that expanding private pay access to imaging services could strain public facilities and lead to disparities in care.
The issue, according to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, is not a shortage of technicians but rather a limitation on the number of funded procedures. Smith believes that utilizing the full capacity of healthcare services and enabling individuals to undergo preventive and diagnostic tests, with reimbursement for any critical findings, is essential.
While some, like Renaud Brossard from the Montreal Economic Institute, view the idea positively for potentially reducing wait times in both public and private sectors, others like Dr. Parks express concerns about the impact on staffing in hospitals and equitable access to services.
Dr. Eddy Lang from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care raises skepticism about the preventive benefits of widespread access to screening tests, highlighting the risks of overdiagnosis and unnecessary medical interventions. The government, however, defends its position by emphasizing the potential for early detection and improved health outcomes through expanded access to preventive testing.
Stakeholders will be consulted on these proposed changes, with legislative and policy adjustments expected in the first half of 2026 to broaden preventive screening options in Alberta.