PCC Update

May 6, 2019

Dear AMA Members,

The Physician Compensation Committee (PCC), made up of representatives from Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services and the Alberta Medical Association, is pleased to provide an update on the committee's strategic requirements and proposed initiatives.

Recent Activities

Following the recent appointment of the PCC Chair, the committee has been meeting to develop a work-plan and discuss its strategic requirements while addressing immediate issues.

Alberta Health has presented strategic requirements (as identified by the Management Committee) to cover the period from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2020.

These requirements include the following stipulations with respect to physician compensation:

1. Alignment with Alberta Health’s overall system goals
2. Incorporation of multiple information sources, including benchmark data from other provinces, to inform decisions
3. Alignment with government’s overall framework for public sector compensation
4. Best practices informed by evidence
5. Consideration of changes in technology and physician practice patterns
6. Effective use of public resources, and characterized by transparency and equity

Proposed PCC initiatives from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 include:

1. Review the Alternate Relationship Plan Provincial Base Payment Rates to determine if a revised methodology for calculating the rate is required
2. Advance the work on a Relative Value Guide for determining compensation amounts under the Schedule of Medical Benefits (SOMB)
3. Establish a plan and process to modernize and redevelop the SOMB to achieve better alignment with national standards
4. Complete the physician overhead cost study and determine how the results will be incorporated into the process for establishing rates and prices for physician compensation
5. Undertake greater monitoring of physician expenditures at both a macro and micro level
The PCC recommended an edit to the strategic requirements. That edit has been formally submitted to the Deputy Minister and we are currently awaiting final approval of the document.

We look forward to communicating our progress on these strategic requirements over the coming months.

For questions or further information, please contact Jennifer Hystad at pcc@albertadoctors.org.

PCC Membership

  • Chair: Dr. David Peachey
  • Alberta Health: Leann Wagner, Camille Bailer, Ashley Stacewicz
  • Alberta Health Services: Bill Hondas, Thea Leskewich
  • Alberta Medical Association: Dr. Johnathan Choy, Dr. Melanie Currie, Jim Huston
  • Coordinator: Jennifer Hystad

Alberta Medical Association Mission: Advocate for and support Alberta physicians. Strengthen their leadership in the provision of sustainable quality care.