$13M clawed back from transfers to Alberta as clinics fall under scrutiny

Health Canada says charges for medically necessary diagnostic services led to Alberta being deducted $13 million in transfer payments earlier this year.

Under the Canada Health Act, provinces that allow private health-care providers to charge patients for medically necessary services have dollars clawed back by the federal government. 

According to Health Canada, Alberta was subject to a $13,781,152 deduction to its Canada Health Transfer payment in March 2023 under the Diagnostic Services Policy in relation to patient charges to access diagnostic services such as MRIs and CTs. 

Two other provinces saw higher deductions under the policy in March. Quebec saw $41,867,224 deducted, while British Columbia saw $17,165,309 deducted.

The figure comes as Health Canada says it is aware of an arrangement at another clinic in Calgary that could run afoul of the Canada Health Act under that policy.

The Harrison Healthcare clinic had been flagged by the Alberta NDP on Wednesday as part of their call for a probe into the possibility that "members-only medicine" was being practised in several clinics across Alberta. 

In a statement to CBC News, Health Canada said the Harrison Healthcare clinic, which has locations in Calgary and Vancouver, provides a mix of insured and uninsured services.

"From the Harrison website, it indicates that they do not offer MRI or CT scans, but partner with a third-party private clinic to provide these services," Health Canada spokesperson Anne Genier wrote in a statement.

Heatlh Canada added that Harrison's website states that a "subscription to a Harrison program or service is not a precondition to access insured services." 

However, it adds that if a physician determines a diagnostic imaging service is medically necessary, the clinic partners with a third-party provider of private MRIs and CTs, which provides faster access than may be received in the publicly-funded system.

"It is these private clinics offering medically necessary diagnostic scans for which Alberta took Canada Health Transfer deductions in March 2023," the statement reads.

A spokesperson with Harrison Healthcare declined to comment on Wednesday. CBC News has reached out for additional comment.

Fiona Clement, a professor at the University of Calgary in the department of community health sciences, said the issue is the same as what previously arose at the Marda Loop Medical Clinic earlier this week.

That clinic sent a message to clients last week stating it would move to a membership system and charge costs up to $4,800 for families.