Specialty Care Alliance Bulletin

August 11, 2026

In this issue:

Message from the Chair
Health system news
- Expanded access to preventative health testing announced
Opportunities to provide input
- MD+MLA Program (AMA)
- Indigenous Health Committee (AMA)
- Joint Physician Advocacy Committee (AMA)
- University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry
- Medical Facility Accreditation Committee (CPSA)
Dual Practice
- Standard of Practice in development
- Safeguards campaign underway
Notice of the AGM

A message from the Chair

I hope members have been able to find some downtime over the summer, even as the pace of change in health care continues.

Throughout the summer, plenty of work has been continuing behind the scenes to keep us moving toward a new Terms of Reference and plan a robust, informative Specialty Care Retreat and Forum that will take place in September, ahead of the fall Representatives Forum.

We do these things to determine and advance the collective concerns of specialists within the AMA. I look forward to your contribution to these important pieces of work.

- SCA Chair, Dr. Joe Bergman

Health system news

Government expands access to preventative testing

On July 27, the Government of Alberta announced expanded access to preventative testing through its Patient Choice Self-Referral initiative.

Key takeaways:

As of July 31, eligible individuals can pay for select preventative health testing services without a physician referral at participating private providers.
Initial implementation focuses on diagnostic imaging. Included services are MRI, CT, ultrasound and x-ray.
Patients may be reimbursed, up to established rates, only when testing leads to a new clinical finding of cancer.
Government has stated the expanded access does not change clinical prioritization frameworks within the public system or scheduling established through existing practices.

Government has also released two regulations that outline clinical and professional safeguards for the self-referral preventative health testing framework and provide, at a high level, further clarity on several issues including:

Self-referral does not guarantee access to testing.
Clinical assessment remains mandatory and regulated health professionals retain responsibility for determining whether testing should proceed.
Consultations and referrals must be facilitated where follow-up or additional clinical assessment is required.

Members can visit the AMA’s Self-Referral Preventative Health Testing webpage for information and resources for physicians and patients. Additional supporting materials will be added as updates become available.

Opportunities to provide input

MD+MLA Program
The AMA’s MD+MLA Program helps physicians build constructive relationships with elected officials and share frontline health care perspectives.

Action: Interested members are encouraged to join the information session to learn how to meet with your MLA and contribute to conversations shaping Alberta’s health system. Information session details:

Date: August 19, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom
Register: AMA MD+MLA Program – Information Session

Indigenous Health Committee
The Indigenous Health Committee (IHC) is seeking to fill two vacancies. The IHC plays a key role in amplifying Indigenous voices, perspectives, knowledges and practices within the health system.

Action: Members who want to play a meaningful role in advancing Indigenous health and wellness are encouraged to apply by August 20.

Joint Physician Advocacy Committee
AMA is seeking additional specialists to join the Joint Physician Advocacy Committee (JPAC) where they can help guide the AMA’s advocacy efforts. Those with an interest in advocacy, or a particular issue of some common interest should apply to join.

Action: To express interest, email specialtycarealliance@albertadoctors.org.

University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry strategic planning
The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry invites physicians to participate in a strategic planning survey. Feedback will help shape the faculty’s long-range plan.

Action: Physicians involved in clinical care, teaching, research, leadership or innovation are encouraged to complete the survey by August 31, 2026.

Medical Facility Accreditation Committee (MFAC)
CPSA’s Medical Facility Accreditation Committee grants facility accreditation and advises CPSA Council on accreditation standards and the Prescribed Health Services List. The committee is seeking three physician members with at least five years of clinical practice, including experience in or with accredited diagnostic and clinical facilities. Priority will be given to physicians with surgical specialties and/or experience in rural or semi-rural locations.

Action: Interested members can learn more about eligibility requirements and apply on the CPSA committee opportunities page.

Dual Practice updates

Standard of Practice on dual practice in development
The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) is developing a draft Standard of Practice on dual practice to help ensure physicians continue to meet their professional and ethical obligations, regardless of funding model.

The standard will focus on patient interests, independent clinical judgment, continuity of care and transparency.

Action: Members are encouraged to provide feedback when the draft is released for consultation. Additional information on engagement opportunities and updates will be shared through the CPSA website, CPSA’s newsletter The Messenger and AMA channels.

Dual Practice safeguards campaign underway
The AMA’s Advocacy & Engagement branch has launched a social media campaign on safeguards for dual practice. The campaign is based on 70 safeguards across seven themes identified by AMA’s Dual Practice Task Force and runs from July 20 to September 7.

The campaign encourages Albertans to consider safeguards needed to protect patients and the publicly funded health care system if dual practice is implemented.

Action: Members can view the campaign content on AMA’s social media channels, and on the Dual Practice website.

Notice of the upcoming AGM

Members have received notice that the 121st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the AMA will be held virtually at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

Registration, proposed bylaw amendments, election materials and AGM resources are available on the AMA website (member login required). These amendments will be presented for consideration and voted on at the 2026 AGM.

Action: Members are encouraged to attend the AGM and the AMA Bylaws Forum at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, to review the proposed amendments and ask questions before the AGM. No decisions or votes will occur at this information session.