Supporting physicians and the healthcare system
OTTAWA, August 15, 2022 —The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) strives to ensure the fees we collect from members are used efficiently and appropriately; and we are committed to containing growth in medical liability protection costs. Importantly, we also aim to optimize the stability and predictability of fees over time.
The Association’s aim is to ensure sufficient funds are available to appropriately compensate patients and support physicians now and 35-40 years into the future. For example, a baby injured by negligent care may incur costs throughout their lifetime. The CMPA is structured so we can provide appropriate compensation on behalf of our members, to patients proven to have been injured as a result of negligent medical care (fault in Québec) and their families, in an amount that reflects their long-term care needs.
Reduction in 2023 aggregate fees by fee region
As appropriate, we reduce membership fees when we are in a strong financial position and prudently increase them if we are in deficit. The CMPA’s current financial position is strong, and as a result, we are reducing fees again in 2023, representing the 3rd consecutive year of fee reductions, across all 4 CMPA fee regions.
Aggregate fees are the total fee requirement for the region, divided by the number of members in each region. The aggregate fee is an average – it does not represent the fee that an individual member pays. When determining member fees, the aggregate fee for the region is calculated and used as the foundation to determine regional fees based on each member’s type of work.
The 2023 membership fee schedule, which provides individual member fees by region and type of work, is available on the CMPA website.
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British Columbia and Alberta
The aggregate fee per member in BC and Alberta in 2023 is $1,701, down 56% from 2022 or a reduction of $60.3 million across the fee region.
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Ontario
The aggregate fee per member in Ontario in 2023 is $3,198, down 45% from 2022 or a reduction of $107.8 million across the entire fee region.
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Québec
The aggregate fee per member in Québec in 2023 is $227, down 56% from 2022 or a reduction of $5.9 million across the fee region.
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Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Atlantic Provinces and the Territories
The aggregate fee per member in this fee region has been set at $345 per member, down 90% from 2022, or a reduction of $41.6 million across the entire fee region.
How the CMPA sets fees
When setting annual membership fees, the CMPA estimates the total amount of fees it must collect from members to meet its financial obligations resulting from care provided in that year. Members are eligible for assistance for matters arising from medical care provided while being a CMPA member, regardless of when such matters may arise, as long as they were a CMPA member in good standing at the time.
The financial horizon – or window – to pay out all potential cases from a given year is long. In fact, we must hold funds to pay out potential cases up to 35-40 years from the time the care was delivered.
CMPA fee regions
Recognizing the different cost structures across the country, there are four CMPA fee regions: British Columbia and Alberta; Ontario; Québec; and Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Atlantic provinces and the Territories.
These fee regions reflect the CMPA’s commitment to the equitable allocation of protection costs. Each region is self-supporting and there is no subsidization between regions.
For more information, please contact: [email protected]
About the CMPA
The CMPA is a not-for-profit association that delivers efficient, high quality physician-to-physician advice and assistance in medico-legal matters, including the provision of appropriate compensation, on behalf of our members, to patients injured by negligent medical care (fault in Québec). Our evidence-based products and services enhance the safety of medical care, reducing unnecessary patient harm and healthcare costs.
As Canada’s largest physician organization and with the support of our over 105,000 physician members, the CMPA collaborates, advocates, and effects positive change on important healthcare and medico-legal issues. The Association is governed by an elected Council of physicians.
