Practice Advice
The AMA created a guidebook, The Physician’s Guide to Closing a Practice, to support physicians in Alberta in closing, leaving or moving your practice. The purpose of the guide is to address important requirements when going through these processes.
AMA Membership
Make it Official
Be sure to notify the Alberta Medical Association in an email at [email protected] of your date of retirement to pro-rate and adjust your membership and, if applicable, process a refund.
Let us know if you would like to continue retaining an AMA retired membership or cancel your membership going forward.
A retired membership is $94.24/year, and will provide a continued active membership with the AMA to keep you updated on the medical community through the President's Letter and publications.
As a retired member you are entitled to privileges of full members, including voting privileges, holding office or participating on committees, however Changes to the negotiated benefits will apply.
Update Your Contact Details
In your email to the AMA announcing your retirement, please provide any new contact details. Alternatively, you may update your profile on our website.
Update Your Banking Information
If the account you use for preauthorized payments to the AMA is changing, log into the Member Dashboard to complete and return the Payment Request Form.
ADIUM Insurance Services
If you hold AMA group insurance coverage (AD&D, AMA HBTF, CI, DI, POE, TL) note that only the Disability and Professional Overhead Expense plans terminate upon retirement. Please contact ADIUM Insurance Services to advise us of your retirement. All other plans may continue in retirement up to the maximum age allowed:
- AD&D, CI, TL – policy anniversary date following the attainment of age 75
- AMA HBTF – no upper age limit on the Core Plan
- If you continue to practice, the DI and POE plans continue to the policy anniversary date following the attainment of age 75 and 80, respectively.
To be eligible for AMA group coverage, you will need to maintain a Retired AMA membership.
Changes to the negotiated benefits
When you have fully retired, the following will apply:
- Continuing Medical Education Reimbursement (CME) – Retired physicians will be eligible to claim the full annual allotment if they are eligible for any part of the fiscal year. However, eligible expenses must be incurred in the year where the physician meets all the eligibility criteria. CME expenses incurred after a physician stops practicing would not be eligible.
See CME administration policy for more information. - Medical Liability Reimbursement (MLR) – Retired physicians will no longer be eligible. Please inform the Canadian Medical Protective Association of your retirement or change in practice status.
See MLR administration policy for more information. - Physician and Family Support Program (PSFP) - Retired members can still access the PFSP program. Although retired members are not eligible under the AMA Agreement for the PFSP, funding is provided by the Affinity Sponsors (the CMA and the Bank of Novia Scotia) through the Affinity Agreement to make PFSP services available to retired members. Please reach out to the PFSP at 1.877.767.4637 to confirm eligibility.
Contact us
Questions? Issues? Contact our Membership team.
Who else do you need to contact?
MD Financial Management
MD Financial Management can help you optimize your income in retirement — to enjoy the lifestyle you want. If you’re an incorporated physician, get advice on your corporate account, whether you’re winding down your practice or converting your corporation. Learn more by using the MD retired physician hub or contact an MD advisor*
- Get step-by-step financial planning assistance from MD Financial Management using the Your Guide to Retirement Planning guide.
*MD Advisor refers to an MD Management Limited Financial Consultant or Investment Advisors (in Quebec) or an MD Private Investment Counsel Portfolio Manager.
Canadian Medical Protective Association
The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta
- CPSA Standard of Practice: Closing or Leaving a Medical Practice
- CPSA Standard of Practice: Transfer of Care
The College of Family Physicians of Canada
- Visit the CFPC website or contact CFPC membership department: [email protected]
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Visit the Royal College website or contact the Royal College Services Centre: [email protected]