Albertans will be able to pay directly out-of-pocket for medical tests like MRIs, X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds without needing a referral starting July 31, according to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
The announcement is part of the province’s broader strategic plan for cancer to 2036 unveiled last month to improve cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment access, and will allow patients to pay directly for tests and potentially be reimbursed if they are diagnosed with cancer.
“I do want to be clear about one thing: this new approach complements and strengthens Alberta’s public healthcare system. It won’t replace it,” Smith said in a July 27 press conference in Calgary….