Alberta residents who use private medical clinics should take note of a new bill. The provincial government is proposing to stop covering certain laboratory tests associated with fee-for-service medical and wellness procedures. At the same time, routine tests ordered by a doctor for medical reasons are expected to remain free for patients with appropriate insurance coverage.
On November 4, 2026, the Alberta government introduced Bill 39—the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2026 (No. 2). The bill provides not only for changes in the funding of laboratory tests but also for new rules regarding patient protection, the organization of health services, and the treatment of people with severe addictions.
Let’s take a closer look at what exactly the government is proposing and how it might affect residents of Calgary, Edmonton, and other cities in the province.
Why Does Alberta Want to Stop Covering Some Lab Tests?
Imagine this scenario: a person goes to a private clinic for a wellness procedure not covered by public health insurance. They pay for the procedure out of pocket, but the necessary blood tests or other lab tests are covered by the province.
According to Justin Wright, Minister of Primary and Preventive Health Care, this practice has existed in Alberta for many years.
The government believes that the costs of tests associated with private services not covered by public insurance should not be passed on to the health care system’s budget.
According to government estimates, these laboratory tests cost Alberta Precision Laboratories approximately 12 million Canadian dollars annually.
That is why Bill 39 proposes to more clearly distinguish which laboratory services are funded by the government and which are the responsibility of private clinics.
Which medical tests might become fee-for-service?
First and foremost, the changes apply to laboratory tests associated with private services not covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP).
Examples discussed in connection with the bill include:
- Tests related to cosmetic procedures.
- Laboratory tests for certain private wellness programs.
- Tests for specific types of vitamin therapy.
- Hormone tests prescribed as part of fee-for-service procedures not covered by public insurance.
- Other laboratory tests required for private procedures.
It is important to understand that the type of test alone does not necessarily mean you will have to pay for it.
For example, a hormone test may be necessary to diagnose a medical condition. In this case, it differs from a similar test ordered as part of an optional private wellness program.
What matters is not just the name of the test, but also the medical service for which it is ordered and whether that service is covered by provincial insurance.
The final rules for implementing the new provisions will depend on the legislation passed and further clarifications from the government.
Will tests ordered by a family doctor remain free?
This is likely the most important question for most Albertans.
Yes, the proposed bill provides for the continuation of public funding for laboratory tests that are covered by insurance and ordered by doctors as part of necessary medical care.
In other words, if your family doctor refers you for a blood test to check your health, diagnose a condition, or monitor your treatment, the introduction of Bill 39 alone does not mean you will now have to pay for such a test.
The same applies to other laboratory tests that meet the criteria for public insurance coverage.
The main goal of the proposed changes is not to eliminate free laboratory diagnostics, but to determine who should pay for tests related to private, uninsured services.
Who Will Pay for Tests at Private Clinics?
Under the proposed changes, private clinics will be required to cover the costs of laboratory tests associated with services not funded by the provincial insurance system.
However, this does not necessarily mean that the patient will receive a separate bill directly from the laboratory.
The specific payment procedure will depend on the rules that are approved and the terms under which private facilities provide services.
For patients, this means that before ordering a paid procedure, it is advisable to clarify whether the necessary tests are included in the total cost.
This applies particularly to private wellness programs, cosmetic procedures, and other services that are not part of standard public health coverage.
Other Changes: New Rules for Treating Severe Addictions
Bill 39 is not limited to issues related to laboratory tests.
A separate section of the bill is dedicated to the Compassionate Intervention program—a mechanism that allows a person with a severe addiction to be referred for assessment and treatment without their voluntary consent under circumstances specified by law.
This refers to situations where the addiction poses a serious danger to the person themselves or to those around them.
The Alberta government plans to launch the program in the spring of 2027.
The bill proposes to streamline the procedures for reviewing applications, clarify the authority of the responsible agencies, and ensure better coordination between medical and other services.
Among the proposed changes are:
- Streamlining the procedures for submitting and reviewing applications.
- The ability to prioritize cases more effectively.
- Clarification of the rules for obtaining necessary information.
- Greater flexibility in clinical decision-making.
- Strengthened oversight of the program’s operations.
At the same time, the government states that existing mechanisms for protecting patients’ rights must be preserved.
The issue of involuntary treatment remains a sensitive one, as it requires a balance between a person’s safety, access to medical care, and their personal rights.
Strengthening Patient Protection in Healthcare Facilities
Another part of Bill 39 concerns the protection of people receiving medical care or residing in care facilities.
The government proposes to clarify which facilities are covered by the Protection for Persons in Care Act and to improve procedures for handling reports of patient mistreatment.
The changes include:
- Clearer rules for handling complaints of abuse or mistreatment.
- Improved procedures for inspections and investigations.
- Clarification of mechanisms for appealing decisions.
- Strengthened oversight of compliance with legal requirements.
These provisions are particularly important for older adults, patients with serious illnesses, and others who depend on constant care.
About 300 public health inspectors may be transferred to another agency
As part of the reorganization of Alberta’s health care system, the government also plans to change the reporting structure for public health inspectors.
This involves approximately 300 employees who are proposed to be transferred from Alberta Health Services (AHS) to Primary Care Alberta.
These specialists perform important public health functions, including conducting inspections to ensure compliance with sanitation requirements and safety standards.
For ordinary Albertans, these changes may not be very noticeable, but they are part of a large-scale restructuring of the provincial healthcare system.
When will the new rules take effect?
As of November 5, 2026, Bill 39 is not yet law.
The bill was introduced on November 4 and must now go through further stages of consideration in the Alberta Legislative Assembly.
Only after the relevant provisions are passed and come into effect can the proposed changes be implemented.
Therefore, there is currently no basis for claiming that, as of a specific date, all tests ordered by private clinics will automatically become fee-based.
It is also important to note that the launch of the Compassionate Intervention program, scheduled for spring 2027, does not mean that all provisions of Bill 39 will take effect simultaneously.
What Should Ukrainians in Alberta Know?
If you live in Calgary, Edmonton, or another city in the province and have AHCIP public health insurance, there is currently no reason to forego necessary tests due to reports about Bill 39.
For most patients undergoing tests referred by a family doctor under insurance coverage, the proposed changes should not alter the usual process for obtaining laboratory services.
If you are visiting a private clinic, however, it’s worth clarifying the following in advance:
- Is the selected procedure covered by AHCIP?
- Are additional lab tests required for it?
- Who will pay for these tests?
- Is their cost included in the total price of the service?
- Can you undergo the necessary testing through the public healthcare system if medically indicated?
If you’re unsure whether a specific test is covered, it’s best to check with your doctor or the medical facility before having it done.
Summary
Alberta is proposing to change the funding rules for certain laboratory tests conducted in connection with private medical services.
The government explains the initiative as a need to clearly separate public and private healthcare expenditures. According to its estimates, the province currently spends about $12 million annually on laboratory tests related to certain uninsured services.
At the same time, free medically necessary tests covered by provincial insurance should remain available.
In addition, Bill 39 provides for changes to patient protections, the treatment of severe addictions, and the organization of health services.
For now, this is only a bill. The final regulations will be clarified once the legislative process is complete and the relevant guidelines are published.