Starting July 31, 2026, Beaumont residents and all Albertans will be able to pay for MRI, CT, X-ray, and ultrasound screening tests without needing a doctor’s referral. The province says this is a first in Canada and aims to catch cancer earlier by giving people more control over preventative testing.
Under the new rules, anyone can contact a participating private clinic and book a test. Patients pay upfront out of pocket. If a screening finds a previously unknown cancer, they can apply to be reimbursed at the publicly funded rate within one year of their diagnosis.
“Cancer is the leading cause of death in Alberta, and with one in two Albertans developing cancer in their lifetime, expanding access to early screening and diagnosis is critical,” the government said in an announcement.
The change was made possible by Bill 29, the Health Statutes Amendment Act 2026, which became law on May 14. The province has also committed $1.2 billion over three years to cancer care, including $280 million for diagnostic imaging upgrades, though that spending is separate from the private pay option.
The Alberta Society of Radiologists, which represents 92 percent of full-time radiologists in the province, supports the initiative. Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services Justin Wright said any clinics participating must maintain and guarantee the same level of public access as before July 31.
Dr. Robert Davies, president and chief medical officer of Canada Diagnostic Centres, expects the number of private tests to quadruple to around 50,000 to 60,000 per year. He noted that’s a small fraction of the seven million exams done annually across Alberta.
Critics warn the policy will create a two-tier health system. Sharif Haji, the NDP critic for primary and preventative health services, said it will make wait times longer for those who cannot pay. “This is going to create a two-tier system where those who can afford may probably get faster access, but the majority of Albertans are not going to get faster access,” he stated.
The group Canadian Doctors for Medicare projects workforce shortages will worsen because medical radiation technicians may move from public hospitals to private clinics. Friends of Medicare calls it legislated queue jumping.
For Beaumont residents, the nearest MRI services are typically in Edmonton, as the local health centre does not offer them. The provincial preventative health testing website lists participating providers. The government says physician-referred tests will still be prioritized in all facilities, and the new option is meant to complement, not replace, the public system.
