The First Year of Practice and Beyond

Ongoing obligations, resources and support

Your first year of practice may go by in a blur. As you begin building your career, keep in mind:

• You can get billing help from the Alberta Medical Association. 
• There are lots of ways to stay current with Alberta Health.
• You are responsible for keeping your credentials up to date with continuing medical education. 
• Your Zone Medical Staff Association works for you.

Billing advice from the AMA

Your membership in the AMA gives you access to billing advice and support, including: 

• Searchable online billing help.
• Billing seminars.
• The Guidelines to Billing Uninsured Services, which provides guidance for services not covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP).
• Billing Corner, the AMA’s explanation of changes to the Schedule of Medical Benefits.

Stay up to date with Alberta Health

View Important resources for health professionals including: ARPs, Bulletins, H-Link, NMS, Provider Registry, business forms and more.

Continuing medical education (CME)

As a physician, you will be expected to maintain your credentials through ongoing medical education.

Both the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of Family Physicians of Canada have their own professional development programs, and the Canadian Medical Association has a number of resources for continuing medical education.

Zone Medical Staff Associations and medical staff bylaws

A new, single set of Provincial Medical Staff Bylaws and Rules were implemented in March 2011. The new bylaws govern: 

• Professionals who provide medical care to patients. 
• Scientist leaders who provide medical administrative leadership, in relation to an AHS Medical Staff Appointment.

At the same time, the AMA, Alberta Health and AHS agreed on a new, all-inclusive provincial structure for physician representation and advocacy: Zone Medical Staff Associations (ZMSAs). Your ZMSA, incorporated under the Societies Act, will interface on your behalf with both the:

• AMA – To have input to, advocacy from and representation within. 
• AHS – To have a voice in all bylaws-related activity required in the zone.

All physicians practicing within your zone are eligible to become members of the ZMSA. You become a member of the ZMSA when you apply and pay your dues – you do not have to have an appointment with AHS.