October 15, 2026

In this issue: 

• Bill 11: What HBTF participants need to know

• Join the AMA’s Section Establishment Working Group

• Explore Alberta’s new RSV prevention program

• Fall PPIP support webinars

• Congratulations to the 2026 AMA award recipients 

• Are presidential ghosts haunting your inbox?

• Primary Care Alberta clinical updates
• MD Financial
  • The tariff impact
• Community Connections
  • U of C History of Medicine Days call for presentations

Bill 11: What HBTF participants need to know 

Effective October 1, 2026, Alberta's Bill 11 changed how certain government-sponsored health programs coordinate with private benefit plans. For members who participate in the AMA’s Health Benefits Trust Fund (HBTF) who have both HBTF coverage and eligible Alberta government-sponsored coverage, claims will generally need to be submitted through HBTF and other private coverage first, with government-sponsored programs acting as the payor of last resort.

This change is the result of provincial legislation and affects the order in which eligible claims are processed, not the benefits available through HBTF.

Most HBTF members will see little to no impact on their day-to-day coverage. HBTF benefits remain unchanged, and no action is required from most members.

The AMA and Alberta Blue Cross are working closely to ensure a smooth transition and to minimize any disruption to the claims experience.

Join the Section Establishment Working Group

Do you have Section Executive experience? Join the Section Establishment Working Group and help shape Section governance across the AMA.

Working alongside physician leaders and governance experts, you'll lend your leadership insights to strengthen how AMA Sections are established, maintained and dissolved.  

Explore Alberta's new RSV prevention program

What do Alberta’s recent changes to infant RSV prevention mean for your practice?

Join physician experts as they break down the updated program, explain the new guidelines and share practical advice to help you support patients and families during respiratory virus season.

Registration links:

• October 22, 7 a.m. (led by Dr. Sidd Thakore)
• October 22, 12 p.m. (led by Dr. Shazma Mithani)
• October 26, 5 p.m. (led by Dr. Angel Chu)
• November 2, 5 p.m. (led by Dr. Sidd Thakore)

Fall Physician Practice Improvement Program (PPIP) support webinars

Get the jump on wrapping up your College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) mandated requirements with these free support webinars.

Several dates are available and there are topic options to meet all three of the CPSA activities: 

• Practice-Driven Quality Improvement
• Standards of Practice Quality Improvement
• Personal Development  

Explore the sessions and find the right fit for you. Need help? Email: ppip@albertadoctors.org. 

Congratulations to the 2026 AMA Award Recipients

Each year, the Alberta Medical Association recognizes individuals whose dedication and achievements have strengthened health care and the medical profession in Alberta.

This year's recipients include honourees of the following awards:

• Medal for Distinguished Service
• Medal of Honour
• Award for Compassionate Service
  Medal for Excellence and Achievement in Rural/Remote Medicine
• Member Emeritus Award
• Long-Service Award
• CMA Honorary Membership

Recipients were celebrated at the annual AMA Awards Evening with the President, held September 25 following day one of the Fall Representative Forum.

Are presidential ghosts haunting your inbox?

It's October, which means that we have installed our new president, Dr. Heidi Fell. 
  
As Dr. Fell sends out her President's Letters, you may see the names of past AMA presidents (e.g., Dr. Brain Wirzba) in the "From" field. 
  
The problem may be haunting your personal address book, which might still be connecting the email address president@albertadoctors.org with a past president's name. 
  
Ghost busting  
Search your personal address book for the older contact linked to president@albertadoctors.org. Delete that contact. 
  
Create a new contact called "AMA President" with the email address of president@albertadoctors.org. 

You are now ghost free!

Primary Care Alberta clinical updates

The following updates from Primary Care Alberta have been provided for your information: 

• Alberta’s Pathway Hub: New look & features launched Oct. 6
• Cancer screening notifications are going paperless
• Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology pearl of the week: Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome
• Stay informed with Alberta Primary Care Rounds
• Call for submissions to Patient Experience Awards
• Apply for the Primary Care Innovation Fund

The tariff impact

Sponsored article

Economic headlines are hard to avoid, but reacting to them isn't a strategy. Understand how tariffs can affect your practice and your finances and what steps can help keep your plans on track. 

See details in the MD Financial Management | Scotiabank newsletter.

Community Connections

History of Medicine Days seeking presentations

A call for presentations is underway for the 36th annual University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine History of Medicine Days conference taking place March 18, 19, 20, 2027.

Undergraduate and early graduate students from across Canada, the United States and Overseas are invited to submit an abstract.

Learn more.

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

2025-26 AMA Annual Report available 

Renew your AMA membership

Upcoming events

Learn how to help patients living with obesity

October 21-November 18

Diabetes & Endocrine Update 2026 October 24

PCPCM Live & on call October 27

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

October

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Children's Vision Month

Intensive Care Week October 18-25

Patient Safety Week October 26-30

Recommend a special date

Last issue's top stories

Retire confidently with the Medicus Pension Plan

Alberta Doctors' Digest

In the October 15
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More AMA publications

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