The purpose of the Temporary After-Hours Urgent Care Clinic Program is to provide a semi-annual lump-sum payment to Saskatchewan Medical Association and Ministry of Health approved fee-for-service clinics that provide after-hours urgent care services and meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Advertise and operationally offer extended hours seven days per week, minimum of 350 days per year; and

• Provide in-person urgent care services weekday evenings (starting at 5 p.m.), and during weekends and statutory holidays at any time; and

• See all patients, whether attached or unattached/walk-ins; and

• Satisfy all clinical services and other criteria listed in the application form. 

Program parameters:

• The program effective date is May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2025.

• Eligible fee-for-service clinics will receive a semi-annual lump-sum payment based on the level of clinic activity and days of after-hours operation detailed in the program guidelines (Table 1).

• Payments will be calculated and administered by the SMA, based on billing data provided by the Ministry of Health.

• The Ministry of Health and the SMA reserve the right to mutually agree to reduce, suspend or cancel these items, and/or make changes to the rates/amounts paid to ensure financial accountability and effectiveness. Physicians and clinics will be provided with a minimum of a three-month notice of any of these mutually agreed-to amendments, if/when applicable.

Accessing the program

Clinics interested in accessing the program are encouraged to first read the guidelines. The application form must be completed and submitted to SMA via email or fax. Based upon this information the SMA will make a determination of eligibility and will notify the clinic.