Alberta Health

In accordance with the Canada Health Act, Alberta has a publicly administered and funded health care system that guarantees Albertans receive universal access to medically necessary hospital and health care services.

All new and returning Alberta residents must register for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage to receive insured hospital and physician services.

The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) provides coverage for insured physician and hospital services in Alberta and elsewhere in Canada. The AHCIP also provides two sources of funding for Albertans who wish to receive medical treatment outside Canada.

Knowing what programs and services are available and what is covered can help Albertans make the best possible use of the health system and make informed decisions on the purchase of supplemental insurance.

Learn more – http://www.health.alberta.ca/health-care-insurance-plan.html

Who is Eligible?

Coverage under the AHCIP is available to all eligible residents and their dependants. No eligible Alberta resident will be denied coverage. If you are a new or returning Alberta resident, you must register for AHCIP coverage to receive insured hospital and physician services.

Link to http://www.health.alberta.ca/AHCIP/Q-how-to-register.html

An eligible resident of Alberta is a person who is:

• Legally entitled to be or remain in Canada and makes his/her permanent home in Alberta;
• Committed to being physically present in Alberta for at least 183 days in a 12-month period (NOTE: Periods of temporary absence will be counted as being physically present. If you are planning to be away for more than six months, please contact our office.);
• Not claiming residency or obtaining benefits under a claim of residency in another province, territory or country;
• Any other person deemed by the regulations to be a resident, not including a tourist, transient or visitor to Alberta

Examples of residents who are not eligible residents include: members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and federal penitentiary inmates, as they receive coverage from the Federal Government. It is important to note that dependants of these non-eligible residents, who reside in Alberta, must be registered.

• If you are in Alberta on a work, study or visitor permit, you might be eligible for coverage.

Dependants

Dependants are defined as:

• Married spouses (must register together)
• Separated spouses (may register together or separately)
• Adult interdependent partners (may register together or separately)

• Single children who are under the age of 21 and are wholly dependant on the parent(s), including adopted children, foster children (if an income tax deduction was claimed) and wards of the court. In cases of separation or divorce, the custodial parent registers the children. In cases of joint custody, children are registered on the account of one or the other parent, but not both, as agreed upon by both parents.
• Single children who are 21 years of age or older and are wholly dependant on the parent(s) because of physical or mental disabilities
• Single children who are under 25 years of age and enrolled in three or more courses at an accredited educational institution

NOTE: Divorced spouses must register separately.

Registration Requirements

All permanent residents of Alberta must register themselves and their dependants with the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. A permanent Alberta resident is a person who has the legal right to remain in Canada, makes Alberta his/her permanent home, and is present in Alberta at least six months a year.

In order to process and Application for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan Coverage, you must provide documents that prove:

1. Alberta Residency;
2. Identity; and
3. Legal entitlement to be in Canada.

If these documents are not submitted, an application cannot be processed.

• Originals are required when applying in person at a registry office. These are used for viewing and confirmation only and are not kept by our office. Processing time is up to five days.
• Do not send originals by mail. When applying by mail or fax, send only photocopies (front and back, as applicable). Processing time can take up to six weeks.

Acceptable document examples

1.       Alberta Residency

Must show name and current Alberta address, which must be the same as on the application –

• Current Alberta driver’s license;
• Current Alberta registries ID card;
• Current utility bills for an Alberta residence.

 2. Government Issued Photo Identification

Must be government issued identification (ID), which shows your photo, name and birthdate –

• Canadian/Non-Canadian passport;
• Canadian Citizenship card;
• Permanent Resident Card;
• Federal Identification card;
• Current Alberta, provincial or territorial driver’s license.

 AND

 3.       Legal Entitlement to be in Canada

Must be ID, which shows your name and birth date –

• Canadian passport;
• Canadian citizenship card;
• Canadian birth certificate;
• Permanent Resident Card;
• Canada entry document.

Note: You are not required to provide these documents if you are moving from an active Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan account to another, or are a dependant child.

Application Processing

You are not covered for medical services under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan until all the required information is received and your application is processed. However, any medical services you receive and pay for before you application is processed may be reimbursed once you have your personal health card and can show eligibility for the period when you received the services.

The effective date of your coverage will be determined based on the following:

• If you move to Alberta from within Canada, your coverage begins the first day of the third month following the date you establish permanent residency here;
• For example, if you establish permanent residency in Alberta on July 12, your coverage is effective October 1.
• If you move to Alberta from outside of Canada, your coverage begins on your date of arrival in Alberta, once all registration validation requirements are met.

If the Application for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan Coverage is not received within 90 days of the date you arrive and establish permanent residency in Alberta, Alberta Health and Wellness will determine the effective date of your coverage

Alberta Health: How to register for the AHCIP

All new and returning Alberta residents must register for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage to receive insured hospital and physician services.

• To receive coverage, you will need to provide documentation to prove you are a resident and entitled to coverage.
• Adults and their dependants (children) are covered on one account. With each new dependant, please update you AHCIP information.
• Some Albertans choose to formally “opt out” of the AHCIP, however, everyone must still register.
• Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan registration forms are available from our office, or on this webpage as a downloadable PDF file.

The completed form and supporting documentation (originals) can be brought in person to our office.

You are not covered for medical services under the AHCIP until all the required information is received and your application is processed. However, any medical services you receive and pay for before your application is processed, may be reimbursed once you have your personal health card, and can show eligibility for the period when you received the services.

Once registered, you and your dependants are each provided with a personal health card, which indicates your personal health number.