Dear Members,
Negotiating compensation agreements on behalf of Alberta’s physicians is a core function of the AMA. One of the most important agreements is with the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB), which covers payment for physician services provided to employees injured at work.
Negotiations with WCB began on January 27, 2025, and have now resulted in a tentative agreement. If ratified, the new agreement will be in effect (retroactively) from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2029.
The proposed agreement reflects the collaborative efforts of both negotiating teams to resolve key issues, including compensation and fees, reporting, recoveries and communication. All concerns raised by the AMA’s WCB Negotiating Committee have been addressed.
The AMA Board has provided oversight throughout the process and fully endorses the tentative agreement. It appropriately recognizes the unique nature of WCB-related work and reflects the shared commitment of both parties to supporting care for WCB patients.
Voting information
To make a well-informed vote, please log in to the AMA website and review the following documents:
- Tentative WCB-AMA Physician Services Compensation Agreement (January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2029)
- Highlights document (with a message from the AMA-WCB Negotiating Committee
- Negotiated fee increases
We also invite you to attend a virtual AMA-WCB Negotiations Town hall tomorrow, October 15 at 5 p.m. Members of the AMA’s WCB Negotiating Committee will present key highlights of the negotiations and the resulting tentative agreement, followed by a question-and-answer period. Log in to the AMA website to register for the town hall.
Voting closes at 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 6.
Note: Members who are part of the AOS agreement, retired, living outside Alberta, or are currently students are not eligible to vote on the agreement.
If you have questions, please contact Didi Wimmer-Frank, Director, Contract Negotiations, at [email protected].
On behalf of the Board, I extend sincere thanks to the AMA’s WCB Negotiating Committee for their dedication and hard work:
- Dr. Steve Cassar, Co-Chair
- Dr. Ryan Oland
- Dr. Wendy Hall
- Sean Smith, Executive Vice President, Representation and Negotiations
- Didi Wimmer-Frank, Director, Contract Negotiations
- Norma Shipley, Consultant, Physician Fees
- Greg Chang, Senior Economic Analyst
This agreement is a testament to what can be achieved through respectful, good-faith negotiations, and we thank you in advance for your engagement in the ratification process.
Regards,
Brian Wirzba, MD, FRCPC
President, Alberta Medical Association