Province, AMA say work progressing on new funding model for family doctors [Video]

Progress has been made on a new compensation model for family doctors, with the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) hopeful for a fall rollout.

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 new blended model will allow some doctors to move away from the current fee-for-service model.

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

“They have to run these small businesses … They have to pay all the overhead for the staff, for their lease, everything,” AMA president Dr. Paul Parks said. “Inflation has really, really taken off on those practices, while that funding hasn’t kept up with it.”

The new framework will include compensation based on panel size and complexity, …