AHCIP coverage

Who is eligible for AHCIP coverage?

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.

An eligible resident of Alberta is a person who is:

  • Legally entitled to be or to 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 in Alberta. If you are planning to be away for more than six months, 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.

When you move to Alberta from another province or country, there may be a waiting period before you become eligible for coverage under the AHCIP.  If you are a new or returning Alberta resident, you must register for AHCIP coverage to receive insured hospital and physician services.  Read more information about moving.

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 wholly dependent 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 to by both parents.
  • Single children who are 21 years of age or older and wholly dependent 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 institute.

NOTE: Divorced spouses must register separately.