One of the most common questions Albertans ask is 'how much does a sick note cost?' The answer depends on where you go. Some walk-in clinics provide notes for free (covered by Alberta Health), while others charge $20-$100 as an 'uninsured service.' Telehealth services range from $49-$69. Emergency rooms are free but involve 4-8+ hour waits. This guide breaks down every option with current 2026 pricing so you can make an informed decision.
Here's what you can expect to pay for a sick note in Alberta in 2026, depending on where you go:
In Alberta, the basic physician consultation is covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance. However, many clinics classify sick notes as an 'uninsured service' because the note itself (the paperwork) is not medically necessary for your treatment. This means the clinic can charge whatever they want for the documentation, even if the visit itself was free. There is no regulation on what clinics can charge for sick notes, which is why prices vary so wildly.
Even when a sick note is technically free, there are real costs that people overlook:
MedLetter charges a flat $49 for a sick note with no hidden fees. There's no consultation fee, no follow-up charge, online review fee, and no surprise billing. You pay $49 and receive an official sick note from a CPSA-registered physician delivered to your email same day. No clinic visit, no wait time, no transportation costs, no lost wages.
Walk-in clinics set their own prices for uninsured services like sick notes. There's no government regulation on pricing. Some clinics view sick notes as a revenue opportunity and charge premium prices, especially in areas with limited competition.
In Alberta, there's no law requiring employers to reimburse sick note costs. However, some collective agreements and employment contracts include sick note reimbursement. Check your contract or ask HR.
Yes. The validity of a sick note depends on the physician's credentials, not the cost or delivery method. MedLetter notes are issued by CPSA-registered physicians and are legally equivalent to notes from any other licensed Alberta physician.
Some walk-in clinics include sick notes at no charge as part of a covered visit. However, you'll need to wait 2-4 hours and there's no guarantee the clinic won't charge. Family doctors typically don't charge, but 800,000+ Albertans don't have one.
Alberta Health covers the physician consultation but NOT the sick note paperwork itself. The note is classified as an uninsured service, which is why clinics can charge for it separately.
New sick-note requests are temporarily paused while we review our service. We are not accepting new orders at this time.