Immediate Health Care Cover For New Alberta PRs?
Feb 8th 2018, 9:19 am
#1
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Immediate Health Care Cover For New Alberta PRs?
Greetings all. I understood that as new Permanent Residents, we are not covered for provincial health care in Canada for the first three months after our arrival, and should therefore seek interim health cover for that period of time. We have therefore been looking into this.
Yesterday however, my wife found the following information on the Alberta Health website regarding the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan:
Who should register:
All new and returning eligible Alberta residents must register for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage to receive insured hospital and physician services.
...
The effective date of your coverage will be determined based on the following:
If you move to Alberta from outside of Canada your coverage begins on your date of arrival in Alberta (once all registration validation requirements are met).
1. Surely this suggests that we don't have to arrange private interim cover for the first three months after landing in Alberta, and that we are covered by provincial health care insurance (of course once all the required information is received and your application is processed)?.
2. Regardless of when the provincial health care insurance begins, is it true that provincial health insurance in Canada is not as comprehensive as one might expect, and that Canadians will in general also have a private health care insurance plan to cover those aspects not included under the provincial one?
Yesterday however, my wife found the following information on the Alberta Health website regarding the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan:
Who should register:
All new and returning eligible Alberta residents must register for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage to receive insured hospital and physician services.
...
The effective date of your coverage will be determined based on the following:
If you move to Alberta from outside of Canada your coverage begins on your date of arrival in Alberta (once all registration validation requirements are met).
1. Surely this suggests that we don't have to arrange private interim cover for the first three months after landing in Alberta, and that we are covered by provincial health care insurance (of course once all the required information is received and your application is processed)?.
2. Regardless of when the provincial health care insurance begins, is it true that provincial health insurance in Canada is not as comprehensive as one might expect, and that Canadians will in general also have a private health care insurance plan to cover those aspects not included under the provincial one?
Feb 8th 2018, 9:49 am
#2
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Re: Immediate Health Care Cover For New Alberta PRs?
I think you must have been looking at other provinces when thinking that there was a 3 month wait for coverage. Some provinces do require that, but AB isn't one of them - Health Care-Alberta : British Expat Wiki
HTH.
HTH.
Feb 8th 2018, 10:02 am
#3
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Re: Immediate Health Care Cover For New Alberta PRs?
Hi Christmasoompa 
Thanks for confirming the situation, much appreciated. Way way back (in May 2016) when we first started on this journey, we were advised that this was the case 'for Canada'. Then when we had our soft landing in Vancouver last December, we were handed BC health forms which, we were again advised once completed would cover us after three months (we didn't complete them as we'd decided on AB), therefore this was consistent with the earlier advice.
Great to know that we're covered for provincial health care in Alberta, though I understand coverage isn't comprehensive...
Thanks for confirming the situation, much appreciated. Way way back (in May 2016) when we first started on this journey, we were advised that this was the case 'for Canada'. Then when we had our soft landing in Vancouver last December, we were handed BC health forms which, we were again advised once completed would cover us after three months (we didn't complete them as we'd decided on AB), therefore this was consistent with the earlier advice.
Great to know that we're covered for provincial health care in Alberta, though I understand coverage isn't comprehensive...
Feb 8th 2018, 10:09 am
#4
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Re: Immediate Health Care Cover For New Alberta PRs?
Have you contemplated seeking legal advice in regards to contemplating a lawsuit against the persons who gave you the healthcare forms for BC to fill out and did not know that you would actually be living in Alberta?
Surely you must have suffered some form of mental anguish by being giving this erroneous information which has caused untold damage and stress by making you think you were not covered.
Surely you must have suffered some form of mental anguish by being giving this erroneous information which has caused untold damage and stress by making you think you were not covered.
Feb 8th 2018, 10:18 am
#5
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 36
Re: Immediate Health Care Cover For New Alberta PRs?
Have you contemplated seeking legal advice in regards to contemplating a lawsuit against the persons who gave you the healthcare forms for BC to fill out and did not know that you would actually be living in Alberta?
Surely you must have suffered some form of mental anguish by being giving this erroneous information which has caused untold damage and stress by making you think you were not covered.
Surely you must have suffered some form of mental anguish by being giving this erroneous information which has caused untold damage and stress by making you think you were not covered.
actually, now you mention it my wife has been saying recently that I'm going a bit peculiar...We had a reality check when we got back to Blighty, Vancouver was beautiful but just too expensive for us, particularly in terms of renting and buying a house. Suddenly we weren't so snarky about Edmonton's weather...
Feb 8th 2018, 3:45 pm
#6
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Re: Immediate Health Care Cover For New Alberta PRs?
Greetings all. I understood that as new Permanent Residents, we are not covered for provincial health care in Canada for the first three months after our arrival, and should therefore seek interim health cover for that period of time. We have therefore been looking into this.
Yesterday however, my wife found the following information on the Alberta Health website regarding the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan:
Who should register:
All new and returning eligible Alberta residents must register for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage to receive insured hospital and physician services.
...
The effective date of your coverage will be determined based on the following:
If you move to Alberta from outside of Canada your coverage begins on your date of arrival in Alberta (once all registration validation requirements are met).
1. Surely this suggests that we don't have to arrange private interim cover for the first three months after landing in Alberta, and that we are covered by provincial health care insurance (of course once all the required information is received and your application is processed)?.
2. Regardless of when the provincial health care insurance begins, is it true that provincial health insurance in Canada is not as comprehensive as one might expect, and that Canadians will in general also have a private health care insurance plan to cover those aspects not included under the provincial one?
Yesterday however, my wife found the following information on the Alberta Health website regarding the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan:
Who should register:
All new and returning eligible Alberta residents must register for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage to receive insured hospital and physician services.
...
The effective date of your coverage will be determined based on the following:
If you move to Alberta from outside of Canada your coverage begins on your date of arrival in Alberta (once all registration validation requirements are met).
1. Surely this suggests that we don't have to arrange private interim cover for the first three months after landing in Alberta, and that we are covered by provincial health care insurance (of course once all the required information is received and your application is processed)?.
2. Regardless of when the provincial health care insurance begins, is it true that provincial health insurance in Canada is not as comprehensive as one might expect, and that Canadians will in general also have a private health care insurance plan to cover those aspects not included under the provincial one?
You can read more here: Medical Insurance-Canada : British Expat Wiki
Feb 8th 2018, 8:32 pm
#7
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Posts: 3,874
Re: Immediate Health Care Cover For New Alberta PRs?
Greetings all. I understood that as new Permanent Residents, we are not covered for provincial health care in Canada for the first three months after our arrival, and should therefore seek interim health cover for that period of time. We have therefore been looking into this.
Yesterday however, my wife found the following information on the Alberta Health website regarding the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan:
Who should register:
All new and returning eligible Alberta residents must register for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage to receive insured hospital and physician services.
...
The effective date of your coverage will be determined based on the following:
If you move to Alberta from outside of Canada your coverage begins on your date of arrival in Alberta (once all registration validation requirements are met).
1. Surely this suggests that we don't have to arrange private interim cover for the first three months after landing in Alberta, and that we are covered by provincial health care insurance (of course once all the required information is received and your application is processed)?.
2. Regardless of when the provincial health care insurance begins, is it true that provincial health insurance in Canada is not as comprehensive as one might expect, and that Canadians will in general also have a private health care insurance plan to cover those aspects not included under the provincial one?
Yesterday however, my wife found the following information on the Alberta Health website regarding the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan:
Who should register:
All new and returning eligible Alberta residents must register for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage to receive insured hospital and physician services.
...
The effective date of your coverage will be determined based on the following:
If you move to Alberta from outside of Canada your coverage begins on your date of arrival in Alberta (once all registration validation requirements are met).
1. Surely this suggests that we don't have to arrange private interim cover for the first three months after landing in Alberta, and that we are covered by provincial health care insurance (of course once all the required information is received and your application is processed)?.
2. Regardless of when the provincial health care insurance begins, is it true that provincial health insurance in Canada is not as comprehensive as one might expect, and that Canadians will in general also have a private health care insurance plan to cover those aspects not included under the provincial one?
Most large employers will offer an Extended Health Program, which you should / must take out.
For example ......... the cost of medications is not covered under a provincial scheme, and costs may be high. I understand for example that diabetes medications etc are not covered here, certainly not to the extent that they are covered in the UK.
A large employer's benefit scheme will also usually offer a dental plan .......... you should take that as dental work is not covered at all.
If your employer does not have a benefit scheme, it is a very good idea to take out extra insurance for both health and dental.
Feb 8th 2018, 8:54 pm
#8
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 10,612
Re: Immediate Health Care Cover For New Alberta PRs?
You used to have to wait three months, but they scrapped that some time ago. You do usually have to wait 3 months for any work benefits to kick in - this should cover a portion of prescription charges. Not all employee plans are created equal. I have none and OH's covers very little.
Feb 8th 2018, 11:26 pm
#9
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Re: Immediate Health Care Cover For New Alberta PRs?
Depending on the drug you receive, if you have no insurance the cost can be eye watering.
My daughters acne tabs, $330 per month!
For gods sake don't get hep c. You need 18 months of medication to clear it, $150k though this can be mitigated with an additional AHS scheme insurance payment. � ����
No £10 prescriptions here!
My daughters acne tabs, $330 per month!
For gods sake don't get hep c. You need 18 months of medication to clear it, $150k though this can be mitigated with an additional AHS scheme insurance payment. � ����
No £10 prescriptions here!
Feb 9th 2018, 12:32 am
#10
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Location: Calgary
Posts: 962
Re: Immediate Health Care Cover For New Alberta PRs?
Greetings all. I understood that as new Permanent Residents, we are not covered for provincial health care in Canada for the first three months after our arrival, and should therefore seek interim health cover for that period of time. We have therefore been looking into this.
Feb 9th 2018, 12:49 am
#11
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Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Immediate Health Care Cover For New Alberta PRs?
Depending on the drug you receive, if you have no insurance the cost can be eye watering.
My daughters acne tabs, $330 per month!
For gods sake don't get hep c. You need 18 months of medication to clear it, $150k though this can be mitigated with an additional AHS scheme insurance payment. � ����
No £10 prescriptions here!
My daughters acne tabs, $330 per month!
For gods sake don't get hep c. You need 18 months of medication to clear it, $150k though this can be mitigated with an additional AHS scheme insurance payment. � ����
No £10 prescriptions here!
If you qualify and subscribe to the 'non-group' plan, maximum prescription cost is $25.
Feb 9th 2018, 1:09 am
#12
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Re: Immediate Health Care Cover For New Alberta PRs?
Non-Group coverage benefit: Alberta Health website
If you qualify and subscribe to the 'non-group' plan, maximum prescription cost is $25.
If you qualify and subscribe to the 'non-group' plan, maximum prescription cost is $25.
Feb 9th 2018, 1:16 am
#13
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Re: Immediate Health Care Cover For New Alberta PRs?
Regardless, even paying the family premium for it - plus the maximum $25 per prescription x 12 month - the total monthly bill would be $151.33 per month. A bit cheaper than paying full price for regular medication.
Feb 9th 2018, 1:24 am
#14
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Re: Immediate Health Care Cover For New Alberta PRs?
You have been in Canada long enough to realise that regular drugs do happen, but get referred to a specialist and the generic drug is often not prescribed. These doctors have to get their kick back somehow. My view is that the health system with insurance and so on is broken and not a patch on the UK system that provides care for all, within a reasonable time frame.