H-Link

Conducting health business electronically using H-Link

H-Link was developed to provide a way of communicating electronically with those who conduct business with Alberta Health and Wellness, including:
  • Practitioners who claim fees; and
  • Alberta Health Services (regions) and provinces that exchange reciprocal data.

H-Link is an easy, fast, efficient way of doing business for both Alberta Health and Wellness and its clients.

If your organization or business wants to know if you qualify to become an accredited submitter and are able to use H-Link with Alberta Health and Wellness, please read the questions and answers below.

What is H-Link?

H-Link is an electronic communication system that connects clients' computers to Alberta Health and Wellness' mainframe. Currently, H-Link is used to send claim and billing information between Alberta Health and Wellness and its clients.

Who would use H-Link?

Service providers (such as physicians and their staff) and service bureaus who submit claims on behalf of service providers are some of those who use H-Link. To submit transactions using H-Link, users must go through an accreditation approval process with Alberta Health and Wellness.

Is there a fee to use H-Link?

Alberta Health and Wellness does not charge clients to become accredited submitters or to send or retrieve information via H-Link. Connection to H-Link is achieved via Internet access, however, the cost of acquiring appropriate communication software and hardware is each submitter's responsibility.

How do you become an accredited submitter?

To become accredited for submission of claims, please complete the form below and return it to Alberta Health and Wellness.

The form is reviewed for completeness to ensure all predefined specifications have been included. Applications are reviewed according to predetermined requirements. Once approved, accredited submitters are also required to carry out the responsibilities described in our Electronic Claims Submission Specifications Manual.

What does accreditation give you?

Accreditation provides the following:

  • Grants the prospective applicant a submitter role and a submitter prefix;
  • Allows the applicant the ability to send and retrieve files to and from Alberta Health and Wellness;
  • Allows the applicant to send specific types of transactions to Alberta Health and Wellness for processing; and
  • Allows the applicant to retrieve reports, letters and other data electronically from Alberta Health and Wellness as specified through accreditation.

The accreditation process does not accredit claim billing and reconciliation software or the data content of claim files you send to Alberta Health and Wellness. As an accredited submitter, you are responsible for data verification, billing and reconciliation software, as well as any hardware that may be required.

Do service providers need to become an accredited submitter or can they stay with their existing submitter?

The choice is yours. A service provider may choose to become an accredited submitter or have an accredited submitter send claims on their behalf.

Is there a minimum limit on the number of claims per batch?

No, you can submit one claim if you wish.

What are the technical requirements for using H-Link?

To effectively communicate with Alberta Health and Wellness, the following technical specifications should be followed:

  1. Software requirements –
    • Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater. For Internet users, the web browser can be downloaded for free from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx;
    • Windows 2000, Windows NT, XP Pro or Vista. Not recommended for Windows XP Home or Mac Emulation;
    • For claims transmission, claims billing software is required.
  2. Minimum hardware requirements –
    • Pentium 4 computer 3.0 gigahertz with Windows XP Professional;
    • 500 Mb of RAM;
    • High Speed modem (56K minimum);
    • A security card issued by Alberta Health and Wellness and used for logging on to the H-Link network.

May I design my own claims billing software? If so, does it have to be approved by Alberta Health and Wellness?

Yes, you may design your own billing software. Approval from Alberta Health and Wellness is not required and therefore Alberta Health and Wellness will not provide technical support for your billing hardware. All files sent to Alberta Health and Wellness must be in a format as described in the Electronic Claims Submission Specifications Manual.

How can I test my H-Link connection?

After you have completed your application forms, Alberta Health and Wellness will send you a Submitter Startup Package. This package will include log-on information and a Secure log-on device (key fob).

The accreditation process is complete after testing has completed successfully. Applicants using vendor compliant software are not required to test.

More information

Contact us

Alberta Health and Wellness
H-Link Administration
Information Systems Delivery Branch
Box 1360, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2N3

  • In Edmonton, 780-644-7643
  • Outside Edmonton, toll-free, 310-0000, then 780-644-7643
  • Email: health.hlink@gov.ab.ca