Source: Fraser Institute
Alberta has introduced a policy that allows patients to pay out-of-pocket for MRI, CT, ultrasound, or X-ray scans at private clinics without needing a physician referral. If the scan leads to a new cancer diagnosis, the government will reimburse the cost. The Fraser Institute argues this change will improve access not only for those who pay but for patients remaining in the public queue as well.
Diagnostic wait times in Alberta and across Canada have long been a serious problem. Median waits for MRI scans in the public system run about seven months, while CT scans take roughly three and a half months. Many machines are aging, and Canada ranks poorly among developed countries for the availability of advanced imaging equipment. Delayed diagnosis can mean later-stage treatment, higher costs, and worse outcomes for patients.
By allowing people to purchase scans privately, the policy creates a safety valve. Those who can afford to pay or who choose to do so move out of the government queue, which should free up capacity for others. Private clinics also have an incentive to invest in additional machines and operate more efficiently, increasing overall supply. Early detection of serious conditions benefits both the individual patient and the broader system by reducing the need for more intensive and expensive care later.
Countries with strong universal health care systems, including Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Australia, generally allow a larger role for private options alongside public coverage. They tend to deliver faster access while spending similar or lower amounts relative to outcomes. Alberta’s policy moves in that direction without dismantling public coverage.
The change is limited and practical. It does not require patients to pay if they prefer to wait in the public system, and it includes a reimbursement mechanism for certain serious diagnoses. For a province struggling with long waits and limited imaging capacity, expanding the ways patients can get scans is a reasonable step toward better access for everyone.
