In Alberta, most doctors are paid through Fee-for-Service (FFS) and get reimbursed for each visit. But with an aging population and more specialized care needs, FFS doesn’t always cut it.
Enter Alternative Relationship Plans (ARPs) which offer a set payment for a range of services. While FFS works well for most instances, ARPs may be better for managing certain types of patients such as those with chronic conditions or requiring highly specialized services that take more time.
One reason is that most ARP rates haven’t been updated in 20 years. That leaves physicians underpaid, risking early retirements or migrations to other provinces with better compensation.
While other provinces are modernizing their payment models, Alberta risks falling behind if it doesn’t adjust its approach to physician compensation.
ARPs can promote provision of more comprehensive care by compensating doctors for the full spectrum of patient needs, not just individual visits. This is especially crucial for:
The AMA and Alberta Health are pushing for reforms like updating ARP rates, simplifying contracts, and making the system fairer.
These changes are desperately needed to retain doctors and improve patient care in Alberta.
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