Alberta Regulation 193/2026, the Preventative Health Testing Services Regulation, establishes a regulatory framework for preventative health testing services obtained through self-referral. The regulation was made under the Health Professions Act. It sets eligibility requirements, professional obligations, informed-consent rules, information-sharing requirements and procedures for communicating diagnostic results.

The regulation allows individuals to seek certain preventative health testing services without a conventional referral, but self-referral is subject to safeguards. Individuals aged 18 or older are eligible if they meet the prescribed requirements. Individuals under 18 may also be eligible where their guardian has provided consent. In both cases, a regulated health professional must first assess whether the requested service is safe and clinically appropriate.

The assessment must consider the individual’s health history, relevant risk factors, contraindications and whether the individual understands the nature of the requested testing, including its limitations, potential side effects and risks. Even when these requirements are satisfied, self-referral is not permitted where it would conflict with conditions, restrictions or limitations imposed under the Health Professions Act or its regulations.

The regulation places particular emphasis on transparency about costs. Before testing, individuals must be informed about the nature and purpose of the service and whether it addresses the reason for their self-referral. They must also be told about foreseeable limitations, side effects and risks. Importantly, preventative health testing services are expressly identified as not insured health services under Alberta’s health insurance framework. Individuals are therefore responsible for the costs, and those costs are not guaranteed to be reimbursed by the Government of Alberta.

Strict information-sharing requirements also apply. Written consent must authorize disclosure of specified personal and health information, including the individual’s name, date of birth, contact details, personal health number, testing service, diagnostic results, any clinical finding of cancer, testing date, insurer information and invoice or payment records.

The regulation establishes specific requirements for diagnostic results. For computed tomography, magnetic imaging, ultrasound imaging and X-ray services, results must be communicated to the individual in person at the testing facility within two hours of the service. Other testing results must be communicated in accordance with applicable professional standards.

Where results indicate that follow-up care or additional assessment is necessary, the regulated member or an authorized person must provide information about follow-up care and facilitate consultations or referrals to other regulated health professionals.

Alberta (193/2026) August 26, 2026
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and does not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.