Last reviewed and updated: August 2026 by a CPSA-registered physician
A doctor note, medical certificate, or sick note can document a recent absence when a physician independently determines documentation is clinically appropriate. MedLetter reviews requests for short-term acute illnesses, generally one to five days, such as a cold, flu, food poisoning, or stomach bug. It does not provide documentation for chronic conditions, mental-health leave, disability, workplace injury claims, surgical recovery, or extended absences. Confirm the recipient’s process before requesting documentation because a note does not decide a workplace, school, benefits, or insurance outcome.
A doctor note can be relevant when a licensed physician independently assesses a recent illness and determines that documentation is clinically appropriate. The recipient’s policy determines what it requests and how it uses any document. Documentation should not be used as a substitute for urgent, ongoing, disability, workplace-injury, benefits, or accommodation care pathways.
The need for documentation depends on the recipient’s policy and the applicable provincial, federal, contractual, collective-agreement, benefit, or academic process. Follow the required absence-reporting channel and verify any deadline or form requirement before assuming that a doctor note is needed.
You do not need an existing family doctor to submit a MedLetter request. Provide secure information about the recent acute illness and absence dates for independent physician review. A physician may determine that an in-person or different-care pathway is appropriate. Do not use emergency services for a documentation need unless urgent symptoms require emergency care.
Recipients may have different documentation processes. If a recipient requests a specific form, deadline, or submission method, follow that process and confirm whether it is within MedLetter’s short-term documentation scope. Physician credentials can be verified through the relevant provincial public register, but credential verification does not determine the recipient’s outcome.
An employer’s requirements depend on the applicable employment, contract, collective-agreement, benefits, or accommodation process. Keep the absence notice factual, follow the recipient’s process, and seek appropriate workplace, union, or legal guidance for a dispute. A document does not guarantee acceptance, pay, leave approval, or another employment outcome.
The cost of a doctor note in Alberta varies significantly depending on the provider. Sick notes are considered an uninsured service under Alberta Health Care, meaning most providers charge a fee. Here's how the options compare in 2026.
Provider processes can differ. Consider the clinical scope, recipient requirements, current fee, and whether the provider can appropriately assess the request. MedLetter accepts secure requests for short-term acute illness documentation and an Alberta-licensed physician independently determines whether documentation is clinically appropriate.
Different industries in Alberta have different sick note requirements. Oil and gas workers often need notes for camp-based work schedules. Healthcare workers at Alberta Health Services have strict documentation requirements. Construction workers need notes that address physical capability. Teachers need notes aligned with school board policies. MedLetter understands these industry-specific requirements and ensures your note meets the standards your employer expects.
| Provider | Price | Wait Time | Video Required | Alberta Physician | Same Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MedLetter | $49 | same day | No | Yes (CPSA) | Yes |
| Walk-In Clinic | $20-$100 | 3-5 hours | In-person | Yes | Maybe |
| Family Doctor | $20-$50 | Days-weeks | In-person | Yes | No |
| Maple | $49-$69 | Minutes-hours | Yes | Sometimes | Yes |
| Rocket Doctor | $20-$50 | Hours | Yes | Yes | Usually |
| Tia Health | $30+ (limited) | Days-weeks | Yes | Yes | No |
| Emergency Room | $50+ | 4-12 hours | In-person | Yes | Yes |
Alberta Employment Standards Code Section 53.982 provides employees with up to 5 days of job-protected personal and family responsibility leave annually. Employers may request medical documentation but cannot require disclosure of specific diagnoses. The Health Information Act (HIA) protects patient privacy, and the CPSA Standards of Practice authorize physicians to issue documentation through virtual consultations.
A doctor note, medical certificate, or sick note can document a recent absence when a physician independently determines that documentation is clinically appropriate. The recipient applies its own policy and makes its own decision.
MedLetter accepts secure requests for recent one-to-five-day acute illnesses. An Alberta-licensed physician independently reviews each request and may determine that a different assessment or care pathway is appropriate.
The standard MedLetter request fee is $49. Sick-note fees can be uninsured services, so confirm current fees and requirements directly with any other provider you consider.
Requirements can depend on the applicable employment, contract, collective-agreement, benefits, or accommodation process. Follow the recipient’s absence-reporting process and check the rule that applies to your situation.
A physician may use virtual care when clinically appropriate. Credential verification and virtual delivery do not guarantee a workplace, school, benefits, or insurance outcome; recipients apply their own processes.
Review timing depends on the information provided, clinical judgment, and whether follow-up is needed. Do not promise a document to a recipient before confirming its deadline and requirements.
Confirm the recipient’s reporting channel, deadline, form requirement, and the dates involved. MedLetter’s service is limited to recent one-to-five-day acute illnesses and does not decide the recipient’s outcome.
You do not need an existing family doctor to submit a MedLetter request. An Alberta-licensed physician independently reviews the information provided and may determine that another care pathway is appropriate.
Use the recipient’s required submission channel and check what information it requests. A document does not guarantee acceptance or determine an employment outcome.
A physician may consider a recent absence after an appropriate assessment, but documentation is issued only when clinically appropriate. The recipient’s policy and the facts of the request matter.
Sick-note fees can be uninsured services. Confirm current fees and requirements directly with the provider you choose.
You can check an Alberta physician’s registration through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta public register. Credential verification does not determine a recipient’s documentation decision.
A recent acute illness such as food poisoning may fall within the one-to-five-day service scope. An Alberta-licensed physician independently determines whether documentation is clinically appropriate. Severe, worsening, or urgent symptoms need appropriate medical care.
Whether documentation is needed depends on the recipient’s policy and the applicable process. Follow the required absence-reporting channel and seek appropriate care for severe or worsening symptoms.
A recipient-specific form may involve a separate process. If you have a Verification of Illness form, upload it with your request; clinician completion is a separate $10 add-on and is only available when clinically appropriate and within service scope.
A recent acute illness request may be considered when it is within the one-to-five-day scope. Chronic or recurrent migraine management, disability accommodation, and extended absences are outside this service and need an appropriate ongoing-care pathway.
New sick-note requests are temporarily paused while we review our service. We are not accepting new orders at this time.