Plan benefits and services

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.

• Read more about the Canada Health Act.

Alberta Health and Wellness provides health care benefits in addition to the services required by the Canada Health Act.

• Podiatry and optometry are examples of limited services partially covered through the AHCIP.
  • As of July 1, 2009, chiropractic services under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan are no longer covered.
• Specialized procedures, such as organ transplants and major heart surgeries, known as Provincewide Services, are available to all Albertans in addition to basic health services.

Through the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), the ministry provides residents of Alberta with full coverage for medically necessary physician and specific dental and oral surgical health services provided by dentists.  You must register for AHCIP coverage to receive insured hospital and physician services if you are new or returning to Alberta.

• Read more about the health services provided in Alberta

For more information, read:

• Schedule of Medical Benefits
• Schedule of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Benefits
• Practitioner Information and Resources

Important Notice: One provincial governance board, called the new Alberta Health Services Board, has replaced Alberta’s nine regional health authority boards, the Alberta Mental Health Board, Alberta Cancer Board and Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) to ensure the provincial health system is patient-focused and provides equitable access to all Albertans. This change took place on May 15, 2008.

Drug coverage

Government supported supplementary coverage is available through Alberta Blue Cross to cover a variety of health services not covered by the AHCIP.