Healthcare
Accessing healthcare is not only important for a person’s physical well-being, it is foundational to their settlement and integration into Canadian society. This page provides information on Alberta Health Care, extended health insurance plans, as well as how to find a family doctor.
The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) provides eligible Alberta residents with full coverage for medically necessary physician services and some dental and oral surgical health services. Your physician determines what insured services are considered medically necessary. You must be registered with the AHCIP, using your personal health care card, to receive insured hospital and physician services.
An example of an Alberta Health Card. Carry it with you at all times.
Eligibility
You are eligible for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage if you are:
Legally entitled to be in and remain in Canada and make your permanent home in Alberta
Committed to being physically present in Alberta for at least 183 days in any 12-month period
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 or temporary resident, not including a tourist, transient or visitor to Alberta
How to Apply
Once you confirm your eligibility for AHCIP coverage, follow the steps below to obtain your Alberta Personal Health Card.
Step 1: Gather your supporting documents
When you apply for AHCIP coverage, you must provide supporting documents that prove:
Alberta residency (Alberta driver’s license, bills such as utilities and phone bills, mortgage or rental agreement, home insurance, vehicle registration)
Identity (passport, permanent resident card, certificate of Indian Status issued by the Federal Government, government-issued driver’s license, government-issued registry ID card, Canadian citizenship card)
Legal entitlement to be in and remain in Canada (Canadian passport, permanent resident card, certificate of Indian Status issued by the Federal Government, Canadian birth certificate, Canada entry document (for example, work or study permit), Canadian citizenship card or certificate (both sides), permanent resident card or confirmation document or letter)
Step 2: Complete the Application Form
Complete and print the Application form. AHCIP forms are also available from a participating registry.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
In-person
Processing time can take up to 5 days. There is no charge for this service. Bring the completed application form and your original documents to a participating registry. Cards are mailed to your home by the AHCIP office.
By mail
Processing time can take up to 6 weeks, and may be longer between October and February. Send your completed application form and photocopies of your supporting documents to the AHCIP office:
Alberta Health
Attention: Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan
PO Box 1360, Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2N3Include photocopies of supporting documents with your application. Photocopies must include front and back of the document, if applicable. Do not send original documents in the mail. Cards are mailed to your home by the AHCIP office. Ensure you provide your current mailing address.
Coverage
Medical services covered under the AHCIP:
medically required services provided by a physician
psychiatrist visits
medically required diagnostic services including laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic procedures
oral and maxillofacial surgery services
bariatric surgery for Albertans who are eligible under the Weight Wise program
breast augmentation and mastectomy for transgender surgery
For a complete list of services the AHCIP covers, see the Schedule of Medical Benefits.
Hospital services covered under the AHCIP:
medically necessary nursing services
medically required laboratory, x-ray and diagnostic procedures
accommodations at a standard level and meals
medications administered in a hospital
use of the operating room, care room, radiotherapy, physiotherapy and anesthetic facilities
routine surgical equipment and supplies
inter-facility transfer in Alberta by ambulance
Optometry services covered under the AHCIP (not available outside Alberta):
one eye exam for children 18 years old and under, and seniors 65 years and older per benefit year (July 1 to June 30)
full coverage for some specific medical conditions treated by optometrists
full coverage, if you are 19 to 65 years old, for an eye exam your optometrist deems is medically necessary as a result of trauma, a medical condition or episode of illness
Dental services partially covered under the AHCIP:
some specific dental, oral and maxillofacial surgical services are covered
limited services in the Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Schedule are covered outside Alberta
Podiatry services covered under the AHCIP (not available outside Alberta):
partial coverage for some podiatry services under the basic podiatry program, to a maximum of $250 per benefit year (July 1 to June 30)
podiatrists can charge additional fees for these services
Albertans are also eligible to receive full coverage for services provided by a podiatric surgeon in an Alberta hospital or non-hospital surgical facility under contract with Alberta Health Services.
In order to access services from podiatric surgeons contracted by Alberta Health Services, a referral from a physician is required.
Medical services not covered under the AHCIP:
non-medically required surgery such as cosmetic procedures, vasectomy reversal, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
medical advice with a patient by telephone, unless otherwise stated in the Schedule of Medical Benefits or Schedule of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Benefits
health services provided by a provider other than a physician – for example: chiropractor, acupuncturist, massage therapist, homeopath, nutritionist, psychologist, physician assistant or nurse practitioner
vision care such as routine eye exams for residents 19 to 64 years of age, refractive laser eye surgery, eyeglasses and contact lenses
routine dental care services, such as cleaning, fillings and extraction of wisdom teeth
dentures
prescription drugs provided in non-hospital settings
learn about drug coverage and services
vaccinations for travel purposes and some immunizations
assisted reproductive technologies, including fertility treatments and in vitro fertilization
health services requested by a third-party, such as medicals for employment, insurance or sports
medical forms and notes
clinical psychologist services
driver’s medical exam
Hospital services not covered under the AHCIP:
private and semi-private hospital rooms (unless medically necessary)
ambulance services (except inter-facility transfers)
anesthetic charges for services not covered by the AHCIP
for dental service exceptions, contact your dentist
procedures that are experimental or undergoing clinical trials
hearing aids, medical and surgical appliances, prosthetics, supplies, mobility devices, etc.
Alberta Aids to Daily Living may provide some of these services.
Extended Health Benefits
Typically, Albertans have additional insurance plans to cover healthcare costs that AHCIP does not cover, such as dental, prescription drugs, eyewear, ambulance services, physical therapy, etc. Albertans who work full-time usually obtain these benefits through their employer. Others will purchase plans out of their pocket. There are extended health benefits available to low-income residents through the government. Click here for more information and eligibility.
Primary Care Provider
Primary care physicians or family doctors can provide initial guidance, refer you to appropriate specialists, or prescribe necessary medication if required. After getting your Alberta Healthcare Card, you should find a doctor you are comfortable with and visit their office at least once a year. Research shows that patients who regularly visit a family doctor and team are healthier, live longer and are hospitalized less.