The Alberta government is implementing a dual-practice medical model that creates a parallel private pathway for elective surgeries [1, 2].
This shift allows patients to pay for procedures out of pocket to bypass public wait times. The move represents a significant change in how the province delivers healthcare by integrating private payment options into the broader medical system [2, 3].
Under the new rules, physicians can perform privately paid procedures while remaining active within the public system [1, 2]. These surgeries will take place in chartered surgical facilities [2, 4]. The government said the goal of the model is to provide Albertans with more options for elective care, reduce the length of public-system wait times, and generate additional revenue for healthcare [2, 3].
Legislation to enable this framework took effect on Thursday, June 13, 2026 [2]. The province expects the first dual-practice surgeries to begin in September 2026 [1, 3].
While the government has unveiled the general rules for the dual-practice health care system, some details remain unclear. Specifically, there are ongoing questions regarding which physicians are eligible to participate in the private pathway [2, 4].
Premier Danielle Smith and provincial health officials are overseeing the rollout of the program. The government said the chartered surgical facilities will operate as a complementary layer to existing public services, ensuring that the public system remains available for those who cannot or choose not to pay for private care [1, 2].
“Physicians can perform privately paid procedures while remaining active within the public system.”
Alberta's move toward a dual-practice model signals a shift toward a hybrid healthcare system. By allowing physicians to operate in both public and private spheres, the province is attempting to alleviate surgical backlogs without fully privatizing the system. However, the success of the model depends on whether the private pathway actually reduces public wait times or instead diverts physician resources away from the public queue.
