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Alternate Relationship Plans (ARPs), formerly known as Alternate Payment Plans (APPs), have an important role to play in health care delivery as they can encourage innovation in the health care system.

Under the 2003 master agreement between Alberta Health and Wellness, the Alberta Medical Association and the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs), matters pertaining to ARPs and the clinical services component of academic ARPs are the responsibility of the tri-lateral Physician Services Committee (PSC). The PSC was given the task of developing ARP requirements and processes, including the development of principles and eligibility criteria, standardized application and legal templates, and provincial payment rates.

Approximately 700 physicians in Alberta currently practice under part-time or full-time ARP agreements, and recent changes will make it possible for more physicians in Alberta to benefit from the advantages of ARPs. ARPs may be suitable for individual physicians or physician groups of all specialties, in rural or urban areas and for existing or new programs. Individual physicians, physician groups, or RHAs may initiate ARPs.