December 11, 2025

In this issue: 

• Billing Tip: 2025/2026 holiday claim processing and payment schedule
• Digital Health Innovation Session #3: AI in Medicine
• Wishing Shannon Rupnarain a Happy Retirement
• AMA holiday season office hours
• Primary Care Alberta updates
  • Reminder: HPV primary screening has launched for ages 50 to 69
  • Ownership of Alberta Find a Doctor website transitioned to PCA
  • PCA requests feedback on virtual care
  • Lab bulletin:
    • Update to cystic fibrosis genetic test
    • External Send Out test results in Netcare update
    • Changes to Vitros analyzers limit
    • Removal of Epic Enter/Edit functionality for POCT AmnioTest and AmniSure manual test result entry
    • Changes to testosterone testing & reporting
• MD Financial
  • 2025 year-end tax planning considerations

Billing Tip: 2025/2026 holiday claim

processing and payment schedule

Fee-for-Service physicians:

• Claims received and assessed during the period of December 12 to December 18, 2025, will have an expected payment date of Monday, December 29, 2025.
• Claims must be submitted and received by AH no later than December 18 for payment on December 29. Please confirm with your submitter when claims should be submitted in order to meet the December 18 deadline as there is often a delay between submission and when AH receives the claims.
• The next expected payment date will be Friday, January 9, 2026.
• H-Link will be able to accept claims from submitters during the office closure period.
• The Alberta Health office will be closed from Wednesday, December 24, 2025, to Thursday, January 1, 2026, inclusive.

ARP physicians:

• Please see bulletin Gen 159 for all ARP expected payment dates.
• Alberta Health online services will be able to accept sessional ARP invoices during the office closure period.
• Payments will not be issued on Friday, January 2, 2026

Digital Health Innovation Session #3:

AI in Medicine

For the third session in the AMA-ACTT Digital Health Innovation Series, join Dr. Trevor Day for an essential conversation on the legal and ethical challenges of integrating AI into health care. Dr. Day will be joined by guests from the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) and the legal sector to help you navigate the evolving digital health landscape.

You'll Gain:

• Real world legal and ethical strategies for AI in health care.
• Practical guidance on implementation and risk management.
• Insights from top experts at the intersection of medicine, law and technology.

Featured Speakers:

• Dr. Christine De Maria, CMPA Physician Advisor – Expertise in pharmacy, medicine and digital health
• Rebecca Bromwich, Lawyer & Legal Scholar – Perspectives on law, ethics and societal impact

Future-proof your practice! Whether you're tech-wary or tech-savvy, this session will leave you informed, energized and ready to make confident, ethical decisions about AI in your practice.

Wishing Shannon Rupnarain

a Happy Retirement!

Shannon Rupnarain, Executive Vice President, Advocacy & Engagement, will be retiring from the AMA on March 30, 2026, after more than 33 years of dedicated service!
 

Shannon joined the AMA in June 1992 as a Secretary/File Clerk for Health Policy and Economics Committees and progressed through numerous roles, including Secretary, Public Affairs; Communications Assistant; Communications Officer; Manager, Communications; Manager, Public Affairs; Director, Public Affairs, before assuming her current senior leadership position in December 2013.
 

During her tenure, Shannon completed her MBA in Public Relations and Communications Management and consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, professionalism and leadership. Her passion, kindness and outstanding communication skills have inspired colleagues across the organization and beyond. Shannon’s perseverance and guidance in both smooth and challenging times leave an indelible mark on the AMA.
 

The amount of change over Shannon’s tenure has been significant. Some of her accomplishments include: 

• Building and leading the best medical association communications shop in Canada (Just ask her!)
• Launching the AMA’s first website 
• Launching the AMA’s social media platforms 
• Implementing impactful public relations campaigns like “Tell Us Where It Hurts”
• Building and launching the PatientsFirst.ca platform, a still-growing community of 67,000 Albertan health care advocates
• Establishing the AMA’s annual Report Card on the State of Health Care
• The ongoing Informed Reform advertising campaign, viewed so far by over 1 in 3 Albertans

While Shannon will be deeply missed, her contributions and the positive impact she has made will remain with us for years to come. Please join us in extending our heartfelt gratitude and best wishes to Shannon as she embarks on a well-deserved retirement!

AMA holiday season office hours

Wednesday, December 24 - closed

Thursday, December 25 - closed

Friday, December 24 - closed
 

Wednesday, December 31 - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursday, January 1 - closed

Primary Care Alberta updates

The following PCA updates have been provided for your information: 

• Reminder: HPV primary screening has launched for ages 50 to 69
• Ownership of Alberta Find a Doctor website transitioned to PCA
• PCA requests feedback on virtual care
• Lab bulletin:
  • Update to cystic fibrosis genetic test
  • External Send Out test results in Netcare update
  • Changes to Vitros analyzers limit
  • Removal of Epic Enter/Edit functionality for POCT AmnioTest and AmniSure manual test result entry
  • Changes to testosterone testing & reporting

2025 year-end tax planning considerations

Sponsored article

As the year wraps up, strategic tax planning can help you minimize liabilities and maximize savings. MD Financial Management shares practical tips tailored for physicians to make the most of your income and investments before December 31. 

Community Connections

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

CMA leadership opportunities

Deadline to apply is December 29
 

TD Insurance AMA Medical Student Bursary

Upcoming events

Facing the Drain of Medical Practice

December 15
 

CII/CPAR Connect

January 20

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

Recommend a special date

Last issue's top stories

Primary Care Alberta updates
 

Five essential questions to help you build an emergency fund

In the December 11
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More AMA publications

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The opinions expressed in AMA publications are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the Alberta Medical Association, its Board of Directors or members.
 

The Alberta Medical Association does not assume responsibility or liability for damages arising from any error or omission or from the use of any information or advice contained in these materials. Advertisements included in our publications are not necessarily endorsed by the Alberta Medical Association.
 

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