The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, or AHCIP, is a publicly administered and funded health care system run by AHS Alberta Health Services.
It provides residents with access to medically-necessary hospital and health care services. In addition, it covers health care costs such as doctor-provided medical services, diagnostic services (x-rays, lab tests, etc.) and hospital accommodation.
The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) provides eligible Alberta residents with full coverage for medically necessary physician services and dental and oral surgical health services.
What’s Covered
- Nursing services
- Laboratory, x-ray and diagnostic procedures
- Accommodations at a standard level and meals
- Medications
- Operating room, care room, radiotherapy, physiotherapy and anesthetic facilities
- Routine surgical equipment and supplies
- Inter-facility transfer in Alberta by ambulance
What’s Partly Covered
The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan provides partial coverage for podiatry, optometry, and some specialized dental services only in Alberta. These services are not covered outside of Alberta.
These services have benefit limits or maximums per benefit year.
What’s Maybe Covered
The physician will determine if the following insured services are considered medically necessary. If they are, they will be covered under AHCIP
- Physician visits
- Psychiatrist visits
- Diagnostic services including laboratory, radiological (x-rays)
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery services
- Bariatric surgery for Albertans who are eligible under the Wise Weight program
- Breast augmentation and mastectomy for transgender surgery
- Hospital visits and stays
What’s Not Covered
- Complementary or alternative medical treatments, such as a chiropractor, massage therapist, naturopath, nutritionist or social worker
- Psychologist
- Cosmetic surgery (e.g. tummy tuck), unless medically required.
- Prescription drugs other than those prescribed during a hospital stay
- Eye examinations for adults aged 19-64, unless medically necessary
- Eyeglasses, contacts or laser eye surgery
- Medical appliances or mobility devices, such as wheelchair
- Hearing aids
- Dental treatments
- Ambulance services, unless transferring from one medical facility to another.
Eligibility Requirement
- 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 months
- not claiming residency or obtaining benefits under a claim of residence 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
Application for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (gov.ab.ca)