Alberta Government to Investigate Calgary Clinic Charging for Faster Doctor Access, Longer Appointments

Dr. Sally Talbot-Jones’s Marda Loop Medical Clinic is seen in Calgary, Alta., on July 26, 2023. (Todd Korol/The Canadian Press)

EDMONTON—Premier Danielle Smith has directed Alberta Health to investigate a Calgary clinic reportedly charging membership fees for medical services that are insured by the provincial health program, and offering accelerated access to a doctor for a significant annual fee.

An investigation is underway into Marda Loop Medical Clinic, owned by Dr. Sally Talbot-Jones, which recently announced that beginning July 25 the clinic would be seeing “free” patients only one day per week, and devoting four days a week to patients who pay out $2,200 per individual or $4,800 for a family each year.

The clinic promised faster access to doctors, extended appointment times, at-home blood tests, and discounts on other medical services. Marda Loop Medical Clinic sent news of the service update to patients by email.

The clinic has declined to comment.

The email, authored by Dr. Talbot-Jones and first published by CBC News, said the move to a fee-based clinic was a “transformative health-care initiative” that would provide better service and reduced stress, and ameliorate lost time and lost productivity waiting to see a doctor.

“You and your family should not have to sacrifice your time or finances due to inadequate access to health care,” wrote Dr. Talbot-Jones.

“This decision was driven by my commitment to providing you with the level of care you deserve. I have extensively researched the most successful health care models around the world, and I am confident that our new program is designed to deliver excellence,” Dr. Talbot-Jones said.

In a July 25 statement, Ms. Smith and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said physicians in Alberta have to follow the law, including the Canada Health Act and the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act.

The province said that some physicians and clinics in the province have operated “for decades” within the law, providing services not covered by provincial health care, such as non-medically required surgery, nutrition and acupuncture services, medical notes, and fertility treatments.

Legislation

“The Government of Alberta remains committed to the principles of the Canada Health Act. Albertans don’t have to pay out of pocket for insured health services such as seeing a family doctor or a hospital visit—that won’t change,” said Scott Johnson, an Alberta Health spokesman.

He said all doctors follow standards of practice set by their respective regulatory colleges and that the government will ensure the legislation is being followed.

Similar parallel private payment clinics exist in other provinces including Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. A 2022 paper authored by researchers from Simon Fraser University and Dalhousie University said it had identified 83 private clinics operating across six provinces, predominantly in towns and cities.

The paper said it could not identify the extent to which these clinics were operating in violation of specific provincial health legislation, but noted in one case, a clinic charged an extra $10,000 per year, offering services not covered by the provincial health plan like physiotherapy and massage. It “also provided the opportunity to queue jump for publicly provided colonoscopy screening,” said the paper.

The clinics that have not run afoul of provincial legislation may not have switched so blatantly from a public to a premium-pay operation for preferential access. This comes at a time when Alberta and other provinces are facing a serious shortage of doctors and nurses across the health care service.

The government statement indicated that Alberta Health has an audit and compliance department that has investigated instances where private clinics are charging membership fees, which has so far found every clinic operating in compliance with the legislation.

“Historically, all evaluations have confirmed that these clinics are operating in compliance with the act. Alberta Health also submits an annual report to Health Canada and, to date, has not identified an issue with the operation of these clinics,” said Ms. Smith and Ms. LeGrange.

The province said it had become aware of a clinic advertising services that are covered by the provincial health care insurance plan, for a fee, and “would be extremely concerned if this clinic was 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.”

Reiterating an earlier campaign promise by the United Conservative Party during the election campaign, the statement said 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,” said the statement.

“We have directed Alberta Health to investigate this specific clinic to ensure compliance with all legislation. If any non-compliance with relevant legislation is found, we will take appropriate action.”

Health Canada also said this week that the Marda Loop clinic’s membership plan violates the Canada Health Act, which has a provision that mandates equal access to medically insured services for all patients.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.