March 3, 2020
To our valued patients and their families,
As your family doctors, we treasure the relationship that we have built with our patients over the years, but in light of Health Minister Shandro’s unprecedented cuts to family medicine, we are being forced to make some tough choices in order to keep serving you.
Due to Minister Shandro’s proposed cuts, as of April 1, we will have to change how we deliver our medical services to you. These changes will likely include:
- routine visits will be booked for 10 minutes, therefore we may need additional appointment to address all of your concerns
- prescription refills will not be issued via phone or fax
- appointments will be needed in order to review results
- seniors will now be charged for driver’s medicals as this is no longer covered
- enforcing charges for uninsured services such as sick notes, forms, letters for insurance, etc.
The Alberta Medical Association (AMA) and the medical profession understand the hard economic realities in Alberta, and we have worked hard to provide solutions that do not compromise medical care. At the time that these cuts were announced, the AMA had found solutions to cover 75% of the savings the government required, and had another proposal on the way. In addition, the AMA proposed to go to arbitration to find a solution that was acceptable to both sides.
Despite this, the government is moving forward with their proposed cuts, without consultation or negotiation with the medical profession. These cuts focus on family medicine, rural medicine and the ability to spend more time with patients.
We ask for your support in calling on your elected officials to return to the negotiating table with the AMA. Let them know that their attack on family doctors and the medical home is not acceptable.
Please feel free to contact your MLA, Miranda Rosin: Phone: +1 403 609 4509 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
and our Health Minister, Tyler Shandro: Phone: +1 780 427 3665 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sincerely,
Your Bow Valley Family Physicians
The Alberta Health Card
To become a patient or be seen as a walk in, you must provide the front desk with your Alberta Health Card, or other valid provincial health care card (excluding Quebec). It is your responsibility to have valid health coverage and to carry proof of this coverage with you; or you will be charged the corresponding Alberta Health Services fee for your visit (generally between $37 and $60 for a basic visit). As some health facilities cannot provide services without physically seeing your valid provincial health care card, we recommend keeping the card in your wallet at all times.
As there is no reciprocal health care arrangement with Quebec, Quebec health care card holders will be charged the scheduled fee and will be issued a receipt.
Question and Answer
If it is your first visit, you should bring your provincial health care card and photo ID. You should also be able to provide your mailing address, complete with postal code.
We ask that new patients have the intention of becoming regular patients at Ridgeview and permanently reside in an area where they have access to the clinic. If you are only in the area on vacation or temporarily, you should continue to see your usual family physician. For urgent matters, you can visit us during our walk in hours. Please note physicians will not do pap or annual medical exams under these circumstances.
See our new patients page to find out which doctors are accepting new patients, or to go on our wait list.
We accept all provincial health care with the exception of Quebec. Quebec does not participate in the reciprocal inter-provincial health care agreement. As such, residents of Quebec must pay a base fee at each appointment. A receipt will be issued that can then be submitted to Quebec Health Care for reimbursement.
Yes. Out of country patients are seen on a walk-in basis at a base rate of $125. For complex and/or multiple medical issues, ask for a rate. The cost of seeing a physician at the hospital’s emergency room is substantially more, and is only recommended in cases of extreme emergencies.
Yes. These services are available to both regular and walk-in patients.
No. We are unable to provide travel advice. You may wish to speak to your pharmacist or visit the public health website for further information. Please note that travel-related appointments are uninsured services and are not payable by Provincial healthcare. Fees apply.
We do our best to contact patients regarding abnormal test results and book any necessary follow up appointments. If you continue to experience symptoms or your condition worsens, please return to the clinic and book a follow up appointment.
Yes. Please inform the front desk staff that the injury is work related BEFORE you see the doctor. You must provide the workplace address and phone number.
