Calgary clinic charging membership fees runs contrary to Canada Health Act: Health Canada

Health Canada says it has written to Alberta officials to inform them that the ability for patients "to purchase preferential access" at a Calgary clinic runs contrary to the Canada Health Act.

"We are working collaboratively with the province of Alberta to ensure the clinic's patients continue to receive medically necessary services free of patient charges," the government department wrote in an email.

On Monday, CBC News reported that a Calgary clinic had told its members that it would be moving to a membership model.

The pricing under that model, shared with CBC News, was listed as $4,800 per year for a two-parent family membership, covering two adults and their dependent children.

Other memberships included a $2,400-per-year membership that covers one adult and their dependent children, and $2,200 per year for an individual adult membership.

In the statement, Health Canada wrote that Canadians should have access to primary health care services based on medical need, and not on their ability or willingness to pay.

"The Government of Canada does not support a two-tiered health care system where patients may choose, or be required, to pay membership fees to access insured primary care services at clinics, or to gain expedited access to those services," the statement reads.

Membership fees at private clinics are considered patient charges under the Canada Health Act and raise concerns under the accessibility requirement of the act, officials said.

"We are working collaboratively with the province of Alberta to ensure the clinic's patients continue to receive medically necessary services free of patient charges," the statement reads.

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The Marda Loop clinic is not the only such clinic providing membership programs, in Calgary or in Canada. 

Researchers from Dalhousie University and Simon Fraser University released a paper in 2022 which tracked the number of clinics taking private payment across the country.

At the time of the analysis — between November 2019 and June 2020 — there were 14 private clinics in Alberta with a range of membership fees and private payment. During that same period, there were 24 in Ontario and 30 in Quebec.

A spokesperson in the federal health ministry said other clinics in Calgary and Alberta charging membership fees could also expect such a response in the future.