Alberta's new pay model promises better conditions for doctors and patients

Premier Danielle Smith and Alberta's health minister are set to announce details on an updated pay model for family physicians Thursday afternoon.

The Alberta government is rolling out a new primary care physician compensation model, a structure it says will make the province's family doctors "the strongest paid and most patient focused" in Canada.

Premier Danielle Smith and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange announced the update to the model, which they say will help encourage them to take on more patients.

"We've been working hard with our partners at the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) to develop a compensation model that will not only support Alberta's doctors, but also improve Albertans' access to physicians," Smith said in a news release.

The province says the new model will offer incentives to doctors who take on more patients, provide after-hours care, utilize better technology, enhance team-based care and take steps to make their clinics more efficient.

It will also make sure family doctors who are not compensated under the traditional fee-for-service model receive more money.

"This new compensation model will make Alberta more attractive for physicians and will make sure more Albertans can have improved access to a primary care provider no matter where they live. It will also help support efforts to strengthen primary care in Alberta as the foundation of the health care system," said Kim Simmonds, Primary Care Alberta CEO.

The changes to the payment model came after the province signed a memorandum of understanding last year.