Alberta's Special Areas cover a vast stretch of southeast Alberta including Hanna, Oyen, and Consort. This is some of the most sparsely populated land in the province, where the nearest walk-in clinic can be a 3-hour drive.
Population: 4,500. Nearest city: Medicine Hat (150 km). No walk-in clinic in town. No hospital in town.
Driving to Medicine Hat: Gas + 150 km round trip + 2-4 hour wait + lost wages = $100-200+. MedLetter online: $49 flat fee, delivered in same day from home.
Yes. Under Alberta Employment Standards, employers must accept sick notes from any licensed physician, including those issued via telehealth. MedLetter sick notes are signed by a CPSA-registered physician and include their license number, making them legally valid for all Special Areas employers.
Most MedLetter sick notes are delivered same day. Since we operate online, there's no need to drive to Medicine Hat (150 km away) or wait for a local appointment.
No. MedLetter doesn't require an existing family doctor. Many Special Areas residents don't have a family physician due to the rural physician shortage. Our CPSA-registered physicians can issue sick notes without a prior patient relationship.
Common conditions include cold/flu, stomach flu, migraine, back pain, anxiety, depression, COVID-19, minor injuries, menstrual pain, and insomnia. If your condition prevents you from working safely, you likely qualify.
MedLetter charges a flat fee of $49. No hidden fees, no consultation charges, and no travel costs. Compare this to the cost of gas, time off work, and driving 150 km to reach a walk-in clinic in Medicine Hat.
Yes. MedLetter can issue retroactive sick notes for recent illness (typically within 3-5 days). This is especially helpful for Special Areas residents who couldn't access a doctor during their illness.