Are MedLetter documents legitimate?

Yes. Every letter is reviewed and signed by a physician registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). Our documents include the physician's CPSA registration number, official letterhead, and signature.

How quickly will I receive my letter?

Most letters are delivered within 2-4 hours during business hours. Some complex requests may take up to 24 hours.

Is this service available outside Alberta?

No. This service is exclusively for Alberta residents. Our physicians are licensed with the CPSA and can only provide medical documents to patients within their jurisdiction.

What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter?

An ESA letter is an official document from a licensed physician stating that you have a mental health condition that benefits from the companionship of an emotional support animal. This letter can be used for housing accommodation requests.

How much does a sick note cost?

A sick note from MedLetter costs $49 CAD. This is a one-time flat fee with no hidden costs.

Online Sick Note vs Walk-In Clinic in Alberta: 2026 Cost & Time Comparison

Is an online sick note as good as one from a walk-in clinic? We compare cost, wait time, validity, and convenience to help you decide.

## Online Sick Note vs Walk-In Clinic: Which is Better in Alberta? When you need a sick note in Alberta, you have two main options: visit a walk-in clinic in person, or get one online through a virtual care service like MedLetter. Here's an honest, detailed comparison to help you choose. --- ## The Quick Comparison | Factor | Walk-In Clinic | MedLetter (Online) | |---|---|---| | **Total cost** | $0-50+ | $49 flat | | **Wait time** | 2-6 hours | 1-4 hours (no waiting room) | | **Availability** | Business hours only | 24/7 | | **Need to leave home** | Yes | No | | **Exposure to illness** | Yes (waiting room) | No | | **Accepted by employers** | Yes | Yes (same legal validity) | | **Physician type** | Walk-in doctor | CPSA-registered physician | | **Note format** | Paper (may need to scan) | Digital PDF (email delivery) | | **Diagnosis required** | No | No | | **Video call required** | N/A | No | --- ## Cost Breakdown: The Hidden Costs of Walk-In Clinics ### Walk-In Clinic True Cost: | Item | Cost | |---|---| | Consultation | $0 (covered by Alberta Health) | | Sick note fee | $20-50 (many clinics charge for this) | | Parking | $5-15 | | Gas/transit | $5-20 | | Lost wages (2-6 hours) | $40-180 | | **Total true cost** | **$70-265** | ### MedLetter True Cost: | Item | Cost | |---|---| | Sick note | $49 | | Parking | $0 | | Gas/transit | $0 | | Lost wages | $0 (submit from home in 5 min) | | **Total true cost** | **$49** | **The real cost difference:** When you factor in time, transportation, and lost wages, a walk-in clinic sick note costs 2-5x more than an online one. --- ## Wait Times: Alberta Walk-In Clinic Reality in 2026 ### Average Wait Times by City: | City | Average Walk-In Wait | MedLetter Delivery | |---|---|---| | Calgary | 3-5 hours | 1-4 hours | | Edmonton | 2-4 hours | 1-4 hours | | Red Deer | 4-6 hours | 1-4 hours | | Lethbridge | 3-5 hours | 1-4 hours | | Medicine Hat | 3-4 hours | 1-4 hours | | Fort McMurray | 4-8 hours | 1-4 hours | | Grande Prairie | 3-5 hours | 1-4 hours | ### Why Wait Times Are Getting Worse: - Alberta's population grew by 200,000+ in 2025 alone - Physician shortage: 800,000+ Albertans without a family doctor - Walk-in clinics closing due to physician burnout - Remaining clinics overwhelmed with patients seeking sick notes --- ## Legal Validity: Are Online Sick Notes Accepted? ### The CPSA Position: The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) has confirmed: > Virtual care, including asynchronous consultations, is a legitimate form of medical practice in Alberta. Physicians providing virtual care are held to the same standards as those providing in-person care. ### What This Means: - Online sick notes have **identical legal validity** to in-person notes - Both are issued by CPSA-registered physicians - Both appear on official letterhead with physician credentials - Employers **cannot** legally distinguish between online and in-person notes - If an employer refuses an online note, they may be acting unreasonably ### Employer Acceptance Rate: Based on MedLetter's data from thousands of orders: - **99.7%** of employers accept online sick notes without question - **0.3%** initially questioned but accepted after being informed of CPSA standards - **0%** have successfully refused a valid MedLetter sick note --- ## When to Choose a Walk-In Clinic A walk-in clinic may be better if: 1. **You need a physical examination** — If your condition requires hands-on assessment 2. **You need a prescription** — Walk-in doctors can prescribe medication during the visit 3. **You have Alberta Health coverage concerns** — The consultation itself is free 4. **You need blood work or imaging** — Requires in-person facilities 5. **Your absence is very long** — For absences over 2 weeks, in-person assessment may be more appropriate --- ## When to Choose MedLetter (Online) MedLetter is better if: 1. **You're too sick to leave home** — Submit from bed, receive via email 2. **It's