Primary care physician compensation model

Primary care physician compensation model
Academic Medicine and Health Services Program (AMHSP)
Clinical Alternative Relationship Plans (ARP)
Blended Capitation Clinical Alternative Relationship Plan (ARP) Model

Overview

A new compensation model for family doctors will be implemented in Spring 2025 that will continue to make Alberta one of the best places to practice medicine in Canada, while increasing access to family physicians for all Albertans.

The new primary care physician compensation model will provide an alternative way of compensation for family physicians and rural generalists rather than traditional fee-for-service. The model was co-developed with the Alberta Medical Association.

It will be the first family physician-focused compensation model of its kind in Alberta. It is a blend between what is paid through the traditional fee-for-service model and elements of existing Clinical Alternative Relationship Plans (ARPs).

The new compensation model recognizes the extensive training, experience and leadership of family physicians and rural generalists in delivering comprehensive, longitudinal primary health care.

It also considers and pays for the critically important work physicians do beyond direct patient care – including indirect care, administration and practice management – as well as the increased demands placed on physicians by complex and vulnerable patients.

The model will strengthen the primary health care system and help make Alberta a national leader in recruiting and retaining family medicine and rural generalist physicians.

Features

The new primary care physician compensation model combines 3 core billing components:

patient interactions
panel size and complexity
time, including direct and indirect care

The model will support family physicians in developing long-term relationships with their patients and ensure health care needs are met through all phases of a patient’s life. It is structured to incentivize physicians to grow the number of patients they care for (panel size), and to encourage full-time practice.

Compensation through the new model is for primary care physicians with a panel size of 500 or more.

Incentives in the model include increases for:

maintaining high panel numbers
improving technology
enhancing team-based care
adding efficiencies in clinical operations

Compensation will include an after-hours premium to incentivize family physicians to provide after hours care in their clinics, which is expected to relieve pressure on emergency departments and urgent care centres.

An additional 10% is being provided for time that physicians spend on administrative duties.

Physicians under the new model who practise in eligible rural, remote and northern communities will also receive additional compensation through the Rural Remote and Northern Program.