Province says 'heavy lifting' done on new family doctor funding model, but negotiations continue

On Wednesday, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said the province and the AMA have agreed on a framework for the new model that will help Alberta keep and attract family doctors.

The current model, said the AMA, has left many family practices struggling financially under rising demand and inflationary pressures on overhead and administrative costs.

The new framework will include compensation based on panel size and complexity, as well as funds for other administrative costs and time spent indirectly on patient care.

LaGrange promised an updated model in October, and while rates and panel size requirements have not been finalized, the minister said the "heavy lifting" was finished.

Under a stabilization program starting earlier this year, only doctors with more than 500 patients were eligible, and Parks said there are concerns that smaller practices could be left out of the new model depending on the final minimum panel size.

The new framework will also include comprehensive care agreements, moving to more in-person appointments and commitments to the provincial Central Patient Attachment Registry.