March 27, 2025

In this issue: 

• Billing Corner: March 2025 changes to the SOMB 
• AMA President-Elect - This is the call for nominations
• Interested in parliamentary law, rules of order and meeting management?
• Get involved: Join an AMA committee today!
• You're invited to sign on to coal and green energy policy initiatives
• Early bird discount for Primary Care Strategic Forum 
• Alberta Netcare Newsletter - read the March issue 
• Primary Care Alberta updates
  • Measles update 
  • COVID-19 immunization program update from AH 
  • End date for the 2024-2025 influenza immunization program
  • Reminder: Fax number update for oncology referrals in South, Central and Calgary Zones 
  • APL bulletins: 
    • Changes to insulin testing 
    • Standardization of serological testing for celiac disease 
    • New CMV, EBV, Adenovirus, Parvovirus B19 and HHV-6 nucleic acid tests
  • Updated AHS childhood growth monitoring guidance
• MD Financial
  • ​​​​​​​Tariff watch with MD Financial
• Community Connections
  • FAST program evaluation survey

Billing Corner: March 2025 changes to the SOMB

Learn about the latest billing changes to the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan Schedule of Medical Benefits. The AMA's Billing Corner keeps members up to date on billing changes to the SOMB.

AMA President-Elect - This is the call for nominations

The Call for Nominations period for the 2025-26 president-elect is open. Nominations are due by 9 a.m., Tuesday, April 22. Details are available on the website (member login required). 

If additional candidates come forward, an election will be held. If no further candidates come forward, then the nominee of the Nominating Committee will be acclaimed. 

The 2025-26 president-elect term begins September 27 at the adjournment of the AMA Fall Representative Forum in Edmonton, when the current President-Elect Dr. Brian Wirzba becomes the 2025-26 President. 

Per the AMA Bylaws, the AMA’s Nominating Committee is tasked with identifying one nominee for the position of president-elect, but other candidates may also come forward from the general membership.

Interested in parliamentary law, rules of order and meeting management?

The AMA is inviting Expressions of Interest from members for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker; elected officials responsible for overseeing the Representative Forum and the Annual General Meeting. Each role entails a three-year term commencing after the next AGM, from October 2025 to 2028. 

This invitation offers the AMA Nominating Committee an opportunity to evaluate interested members by their applications. 

• Members should demonstrate their understanding of the governing documents of the AMA, including:
  • bylaws
  • parliamentary authority
  • policies 
  • codes of conduct
• Members should highlight how their expertise aligns with the responsibilities of these positions. Relevant external experience will be duly considered.

Members not selected by the Nominating Committee as official nominees will have the opportunity to self-nominate when the call goes out to all membership on August 7, 2025. 

Go to the AMA committee recruitment web application (login required) and apply between April 1 - May 16, 2025.

Get involved: Join an AMA committee today!

The AMA is currently recruiting to fill upcoming fall vacancies on various committees with terms from October 2025 to 2028.  The strength and effectiveness of the AMA depends on the depth of expertise and commitment from members like you! 

Apply to be a member on:

• AMA Compensation Committee - two member positions 
• Committee on Bylaws - one member position 
• Committee on Financial Audit - one member position 
• Fees Advisory Committee - one chair and three member positions 
• Health Issues Council - one chair and four member positions

The AMA is committed to diversity and inclusion in its committee appointment process. 

Apply for a committee between April 1 - May 16, 2025.

You're invited to sign on to coal and green energy policy initiatives

Alberta Health Professionals for the Environment is inviting physicians to sign on to two policy initiatives to ensure the well-being of current and future generations of Albertans:

• Prohibiting All New and Expanded Coal Mining Activities in Alberta 
• Urgently and Rapidly Increasing Alberta’s Green Electric Capacity

Visit the Alberta Environmental Network to learn more about these and other key environmental initiatives. 

You can also read the discussion paper AMA submitted to Alberta’s Coal Policy Committee, which outlines concerns and recommendations related to open-pit coal mining.

Early bird discount for

Primary Care Strategic Forum

The three-day event on May 1 - 3, in Edmonton will focus on the future of primary care in Alberta with engaging plenary and keynote speakers, a panel discussion and a variety of breakout sessions. 

Registration is now open with early bird pricing available until April 4. 

If you haven’t registered yet, don’t wait. Now’s your chance to take advantage of the discounted rate for you and your team.

Alberta Netcare Newsletter - 

read the March 2025 issue

In the March issue:

• Initiative spotlight
• Alberta Netcare Portal releases
• Reminders
• Tips & Tricks
• Training and learning opportunities

Primary Care Alberta updates

The following PCA updates have been provided for your information: 

• AHS active health advisories
• Measles update 
• COVID-19 immunization program update from AH 
• End date for the 2024-2025 influenza immunization program
• Reminder: Fax number update for oncology referrals in South, Central and Calgary Zones 
• APL bulletins: 
  • Changes to insulin testing 
  • Standardization of serological testing for celiac disease 
  • New CMV, EBV, Adenovirus, Parvovirus B19 and HHV-6 nucleic acid tests
• Updated AHS childhood growth monitoring guidance

Tariff watch with MD Financial

Sponsored article

Most Canadians are watching the current volatility in U.S. and Canadian relations closely, and physicians are no exception. MD Financial Management’s latest Tariff Watch update looks at recent events with a focus on specific implications for practice management and physician investment strategies. 

Community Connections

FAST Program Evaluation Survey 
This survey seeks to gather valuable insights from primary care providers and specialty physicians across Alberta to drive meaningful improvements and to ensure Specialty Access programs continue to align with provider needs and best practices. 

Alberta's Specialty Access program is designed to enhance timely and efficient access to specialty care through four components: FAST, Alberta Pathway Hub, Specialty Advice and the Electronic Referral Solution (ERS). While the program has made significant progress, there are opportunities to further optimize referral processes, and strengthen collaboration with partners. 

Survey Information:
The survey is open from March 24 to April 4 and takes about 5 - 10 minutes to complete. Your answers will remain confidential and will be aggregated into a final report.  

• Take the survey  

If you have any questions or would like to share additional insights, please contact specialtyaccess@primarycarealberta.ca.

Promoting a local charitable health-related event? 

Recruiting physicians and medical learners for a medical study?

Seeking AMA member participation in a survey?

The AMA receives many requests to promote local events, research participation opportunities and surveys to our members. We consider all requests based on specific criteria and general relevance/appropriateness. Please note that, unless explicitly stated, the AMA is not associated with or responsible for items listed in Community Connections.

In case you missed it...

Apply for the TDIMM/AMA Scholarship

Upcoming events

Medicus: Pension buyback options

April 8 

Media Relations 101

April 17

2025 Canadian Women's Heart Health Summit

April 25 - 26

View all upcoming events on the AMA website.

Have an event you'd like to promote?

Review our criteria and submit your event.

Recognition Roundup

April:

World Health Day

April 7

National Immunization Awareness Week

April 21 - 30

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

Optimized Prescribing with Seniors 

Use your CME dollars

In the March 27
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More AMA publications

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