Physicians looking for solution to upcoming billing changes

EDMONTON – With just three weeks to go before new billing rules kick in for Alberta doctors, physicians say they are still talking with the government to find a better solution.

Doctor Christine Molnar, head of the Alberta Medical Association, says the changes could force some family and rural practices to close.

And Molnar says they haven’t ruled out taking the province to court.

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The dispute revolves around the extra fees the province allows doctors to charge to see longer or more complex cases.

Alberta Health says it doesn’t appear those extra fees are leading to better patient care and there could be some abuse of the system.

Molnar says any abuse appears to be small, and there are better ways to work out solutions.

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The association says the changes could reduce physician wages by 200-million-dollars a year, leading to a domino effect that could affect patient care.

The new fees are to begin February 1.