Limited benefits
Podiatry, optometry and dental care
The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) provides partial coverage for podiatry and optometry services received in Alberta, but not outside the province. These services have benefit limits or maximums per benefit year, which runs from July 1 to June 30.When the charge for a service exceeds the benefit limit, patients must pay the difference in cost. Discuss treatment details and associated costs with a health care professional prior to obtaining their services. The AHCIP also provides coverage for some specialized dental, oral and maxillofacial surgical services.
Limited benefits
Examples of benefit limits for certain services include:
- Podiatry (foot care) – Some specific podiatric surgery performed by a podiatric surgeon are fully covered. Otherwise, some specific services are covered with a maximum benefit of $250 per person each benefit year. Podiatry services received outside Alberta are not covered.
- Optometry (vision) – One complete exam, one partial exam and one diagnostic procedure per benefit year are provided for children under 19 years of age and seniors age 65 and over; additional benefits apply for these age groups for some medical conditions. Optometry services received outside Alberta are not covered.
- Alberta residents 19–64 years old, who require an eye examination for a medical condition, episode of illness or trauma, may be eligible for an eye examination if the optometrist deems it as an insured eye examination. Consult with your health care professional regarding services covered.
- Dental – some specific dental, oral and maxillofacial surgical services performed by a dentist are fully covered. This does not include routine dental care such as cleaning, fillings and the extraction of wisdom teeth.
Read the complete list of benefits paid for podiatry optometry and dental care.
