Yes. Nurse Practitioners can provide ongoing primary care and manage many of the same health concerns as family physicians.

Yes. Patients may choose a Nurse Practitioner as their primary care provider. Medical records can typically be transferred from a previous provider with the patient's consent.

We have recently received an increasing number of inquiries regarding hormone-related care and HRT management. We are only able to provide HRT prescribing and ongoing management for patients who are rostered to our practice.

Under the current Nurse Practitioner (NP) funding model, NPs are only compensated through Alberta Health for services provided to patients who are formally rostered to them. As a result, HRT care cannot be offered through the publicly funded model to individuals who are attached to another primary care provider.

Please note that patients cannot be rostered to more than one primary care provider at the same time. If you already have a family physician or Nurse Practitioner and wish to remain attached to their practice, you would not be eligible to roster with Shani.

That said, due to the growing demand for hormone-related care, we are actively exploring the possibility of offering standalone private-pay HRT consultation and management services for individuals who are not interested in transferring their primary care to Shani. We will share more information as it becomes available.

In Alberta, patients are expected to be formally attached to one primary care provider roster at a time. The rule is 1 patient to 1 provider.

Because Family Physicians and Nurse Practitioners both provide comprehensive primary care services, being rostered to both providers can lead to duplication of services, confusion regarding responsibility for your care, and challenges with continuity and coordination.

You can still see other healthcare providers when needed, such as specialists, walk-in physicians, or other members of your healthcare team.

If you have questions about rostering or are unsure which provider is the best fit for your healthcare needs, our team would be happy to discuss your options with you.

Most medically necessary primary care services provided by a Nurse Practitioner are publicly funded for patients with a valid Alberta Health Care card.

Some uninsured services may have associated fees. These can include services such as uninsured forms, medical letters, third-party documentation, and certain specialized wellness services. Any applicable fees will be discussed with you before the service is provided.

If you are unsure whether your appointment or requested service is covered, please contact our clinic and we would be happy to answer your questions.

The Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Program helps improve access to primary healthcare by supporting Albertans who choose a Nurse Practitioner as their primary care provider.

No. Patients can book directly with a Nurse Practitioner without a referral.

Yes. Nurse Practitioners can prescribe most medications, including treatments for acute illnesses, chronic diseases, and preventive care needs.

Yes. Nurse Practitioners can order and interpret laboratory tests, imaging studies, and other diagnostic investigations.

Yes. Nurse Practitioners can make referrals to specialists, allied health professionals, diagnostic services, and community programs when appropriate.

Yes. Nurse Practitioners can complete many forms, medical notes, insurance documentation, disability paperwork, and other medical letters. The only form that requires a Physician’s signature at this time are AISH applications - NP’s can fill out the form, but the application will require a physician’s sign off. It is our hope that this will be changing very soon.

Fees may apply for uninsured paperwork.

Please contact our clinic directly to inquire about current patient intake and availability.ion

We recommend at least one visit every 12–18 months to maintain an active relationship with your NP, even if you are healthy and do not have any ongoing medical concerns. Routine visits aren't just for checking an arbitrary roster box. They allow your NP to update medications, review screening results and maintain accurate contact information.

Some patients may need more frequent visits based on their healthcare needs.

Wait times can vary depending on the type of imaging study, the urgency of the referral, and appointment availability. For publicly funded imaging through Alberta Health Services, wait times may range from several weeks to several months depending on clinical priority. Private imaging services offered through community clinics such as MIC and Insight Medical Imaging are often available much sooner, with some examinations being scheduled within days to a few weeks.

If your healthcare provider has recommended imaging and you are concerned about wait times, we encourage you to contact the imaging provider directly to discuss current availability and booking options.

Private MRI Pricing:

MIC Medical Imaging MRI pricing and fee schedule: MIC MRI Pricing Guide

Insight Medical Imaging MRI pricing guide: Insight MRI Pricing Guide

Please note that private imaging services are generally not covered by Alberta Health Care and are paid out-of-pocket, although some extended health benefits or health spending accounts may provide reimbursement.