Temporary residents with immigration documents
Eligibility will be determined by a registration agent upon receipt of the application and all required documents. Read the questions and answers below.
1. What type of Canada entry document do I need in order to apply for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage?
Alberta Health and Wellness requires applicants to include one of the following documents from Citizenship and Immigration Canada with their application for AHCIP coverage:
- a confirmation of permanent residence
- a permanent resident card
- an active work, study, or visitor* permit for Alberta
- or a designation as a Convention Refugee with accompanying documentation
*Note: Not all visitor permits qualify the permit holder for health care insurance coverage in Alberta. Eligibility will be determined upon review of the application and accompanying documents.
You may wish to purchase Visitor to Canada Insurance – available from private insurance companies – if you are physically present in Canada but not eligible for AHCIP coverage.
2. What happens to my AHCIP coverage when my Canada entry document expires?
When your Canada entry document expires, your AHCIP coverage will end. If your Canada entry document changes from a work or study permit to a visitor permit, you may no longer be eligible for AHCIP coverage. Please contact our office for further information.
If you intend to remain in Alberta and wish to maintain your AHCIP coverage, we recommend that you inquire with Citizenship and Immigration Canada about their processing times and apply early for an extension of your Canada entry document.
If your AHCIP coverage is about to expire and you are waiting for an extension of your Canada entry document, you may be eligible for a one-time-only temporary extension. Contact us before the expiration date of your Canada entry document.
You may wish to purchase Visitor to Canada Insurance – available from private insurance companies – if you are physically present in Canada but not eligible for AHCIP coverage.
3. Citizenship and Immigration Canada has granted me "implied" status. Does this mean my AHCIP coverage will continue?
No, a designation of "implied" status does not qualify you to maintain your AHCIP coverage. A new Canada entry document is required for your coverage to continue.
While waiting in Alberta for a new work, study or visitor* permit, or confirmation of permanent residency, you may be eligible for a one time only temporary extension of health care insurance coverage. Contact us before the expiration date of your Canada entry document.
*Note: not all visitor’s permits qualify the permit holder for AHCIP coverage. Eligibility will be determined upon review of the application and accompanying documents.
You may wish to purchase Visitor to Canada Insurance – available from private insurance companies – if you are physically present in Canada but not eligible for AHCIP coverage.
4. I am waiting for a new Canada entry document. Do I have to pay for a medical visit?
Yes, if you visit a doctor’s office, medical clinic, medical laboratory, health care centre, hospital or other medical facility and do not have active AHCIP coverage, you will have to pay for any health services you receive. Depending on the facility you visit and the services you receive, you may be required to pay at the time of the visit or be issued a bill after receiving the service.
When you receive a new Canada entry document, and forward it to Alberta Health and Wellness you may be entitled to a reimbursement for medical services you received while you were waiting for a new Canada entry document. If your new document has "restored" or "maintained" noted in the remarks area, your AHCIP coverage may be reinstated and backdated to the date your coverage was cancelled. Coverage will only be backdated for a maximum period of 24 months.
If you were eligible for health care insurance coverage on the date of service and received an insured service listed in the Alberta Schedule of Medical Benefits, you will be reimbursed directly by Alberta Health and Wellness. To obtain reimbursement for medical visits covered under the AHCIP, please provide your personal health number to the location where you received the health service and ask the facility to submit a claim as "payment to patient".
You may wish to purchase Visitor to Canada Insurance – available from private insurance companies – if you are physically present in Canada but not eligible for AHCIP coverage.
5. Does applying for permanent residency status automatically mean I have or will maintain my AHCIP coverage?
In order to be eligible for AHCIP coverage you must have a valid Canada entry document or a letter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) indicating a “first stage approval” has been made regarding your application for permanent residency.
If you receive a “first stage approval” letter from CIC with respect to your permanent residency application, please forward a copy of the document along with your completed application for AHCIP coverage and other required documentation to Alberta Health and Wellness. Your AHCIP coverage may be reinstated to the date of the “first stage approval” letter but not earlier.
If your Canada entry document is due to expire and you have not yet received this letter, you may be eligible for a one-time-only temporary extension of your AHCIP coverage. Contact our office before the expiration date of your Canada entry document.
You may wish to purchase Visitor to Canada Insurance – available from private insurance companies – if you are physically present in Canada but not eligible for AHCIP coverage.
