Starting Friday, Albertans can self-refer for private diagnostic tests like MRIs and CT scans without a doctor’s referral—and pay out-of-pocket—under a new policy announced by Premier Danielle Smith. The provincial government will reimburse costs only if the test reveals a cancer diagnosis.
What the New Policy Allows
The change permits residents to privately purchase MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, and X-rays without a physician’s referral. Previously, such tests required a doctor’s order, even in private clinics. The policy stems from an October announcement by Smith and then-health minister Adriana LaGrange, which initially promised broader reimbursements for "significant or critical conditions." However, yesterday’s update narrowed that scope to cancer diagnoses only.
Opposition Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley criticized the move, arguing it favors those who can afford thousands of dollars for tests. "This creates a two-tier system where wealthier Albertans get faster access," she said in a statement. The government has not released estimates on how many residents may use the new option or the potential cost to public funds.
Broader Health Care Shifts in Alberta
The policy is part of Smith’s broader push to expand private health care delivery in Alberta. Earlier this year, the province introduced legislation allowing private clinics to perform surgeries covered by the public system, a move critics warn could erode public health care. Supporters, including the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, argue private options reduce wait times for all patients.
Alberta’s health ministry did not respond to requests for data on current wait times for diagnostic tests or projections for how the new policy might affect them. Nationally, Canada faces a backlog of over 1 million diagnostic imaging procedures, according to the Canadian Association of Radiologists.
Other Key Developments Across Canada and Beyond
In Toronto, police are investigating a shooting at the U.S. consulate early Monday, followed by a high-speed chase that ended due to safety protocols. No injuries were reported, but authorities have not identified suspects or a motive. The incident follows a March shooting at the same location, linked to an alleged guns-for-hire network.
Wildfires continue to strain resources in Europe and Canada. French authorities evacuated nearly 4,000 people near Bordeaux as returning heat threatened firefighting efforts, while Spain battled multiple blazes. In British Columbia, a fire complex near Clinton, 350 km northeast of Vancouver, has destroyed homes and prompted expanding evacuation orders.
What to watch: Alberta’s health ministry has not clarified whether it will track the policy’s impact on wait times or public spending. Meanwhile, the Alberta NDP plans to challenge the changes in the legislature this fall.
