Leaving Alberta affects health care coverage (2024)

Let us know before you go

Leaving Alberta for travel, studies, business or other reasons for an extended period of time may impact your Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage.

If you are not or will not be physically present in Alberta for at least 183 days in a 12-month period, contact AHCIP and let us know.

Emergency medical care and transportation can be expensive and AHCIP coverage is limited outside Alberta.

Get additional medical travel insurance when travelling outside the province.

Temporary absence or travel

You can leave Alberta and keep your AHCIP coverage if:

  • you are staying in another province or territory for less than 12 consecutive months
  • you are staying outside Canada for less than 6 consecutive months

You must return to Alberta and maintain a permanent residence on the conclusion of your stay outside Alberta.

What is covered within Canada

What is covered outside Canada

Repeated absences (Snowbirds)

If you are away from Alberta for the purpose of vacation on a recurring basis, for up to 212 days in a 12-month period, you might be eligible for continued AHCIP coverage.

Contact AHCIP before you leave Alberta and when you return.

Extended absence

You might be eligible for AHCIP coverage for extended absences:

  • 4 years (48 months) if you are away for work, business or missionary service
  • 2 years (24 months) if you are away for travel, personal visits or educational leave (sabbatical)
  • the time you are a full-time student at an accredited educational institution

Contact AHCIP to discuss your extended absence.

Legislation

Alberta Health Care Insurance Regulation

Alberta Health Care Insurance Act

Leaving Alberta affects health care coverage (2024)

FAQs

Leaving Alberta affects health care coverage? ›

Your Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage can be used across Canada, but there are limits on what is covered. Not all health services available to you in Alberta are covered by AHCIP outside of Alberta. You should have additional travel or medical insurance when you leave Alberta.

How long can you leave Alberta without losing health care? ›

If you are away from Alberta for the purpose of vacation on a recurring basis, for up to 212 days in a 12-month period, you might be eligible for continued AHCIP coverage. Contact AHCIP before you leave Alberta and when you return.

Do you lose your healthcare if you leave Canada? ›

Your provincial health plan must remain active for the entire duration of your trip. You will need to requalify for provincial health coverage if you leave and stay out of Canada beyond the maximum provincial time limits.

Does Alberta health care cover you in the USA? ›

The AHCIP covers only limited physician and hospital costs outside of Canada. If you get medical or hospital care when outside of Canada, you will be responsible for paying the difference between the amount charged and the amount the AHCIP reimburses you.

How long do you have to live in Alberta to get health care? ›

You are eligible for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage if you are: legally entitled to be in and remain in Canada and make your permanent home in Alberta. committed to being physically present in Alberta for at least 183 days in any 12-month period.

What happens if you leave Canada for more than 6 months? ›

Service Canada compares information with the Canada Border Services Agency. If you leave Canada for more than 6 months while collecting the Guaranteed Income Supplement, we'll determine if you're eligible to those payments. If not, we'll calculate how much we overpaid you, and you will then have to repay that amount.

Does Alberta Health cover you out of province? ›

Your Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage can be used across Canada, but there are limits on what is covered. Not all health services available to you in Alberta are covered by AHCIP outside of Alberta. You should have additional travel or medical insurance when you leave Alberta.

What is not covered by Alberta Health Care? ›

- What is NOT covered: Hospital services NOT covered under Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) include private and semi-private hospital rooms (unless medically necessary); ambulance services (except inter-facility transfers); anesthetic charges for services not covered by the AHCIP; for dental service ...

How much is Alberta health care per month? ›

Table 1.
Monthly RatesSingleFamily
Full Premium$63.50$118.00
Subsidized Premiums$44.45$82.60

Do seniors pay for Alberta Health Care? ›

Overview. The Government of Alberta provides seniors with premium-free coverage for prescriptions drugs and other health-related services not covered under the AHCIP. Alberta Blue Cross administers the Coverage for Seniors program and claims.

Can you opt out of Alberta Health Care? ›

Residents who choose not to be covered under the AHCIP must formally 'opt out' of the plan. All dependants of an opted out registrant are also opted out. If you opt out: you, or your secondary insurer (if applicable), will have to pay for all medical and hospital costs incurred by you or your dependants.

Which province has the best health care system in Canada? ›

British Columbia and Ontario are the top-rated provinces. Not only do they rank highest within Canada, B.C. places 3rd among all the comparator regions and scores an “A” grade on the overall Health report card, while Ontario finishes with a “B” grade and ranks 7th overall.

What healthcare is free in Alberta? ›

Health Care in Alberta

The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) provides Albertan residents access to free medical services. AHCIP covers the cost of a lot of medical services that you would have had to pay for otherwise. Generally speaking, any medical service that is considered necessary is covered by AHCIP.

How long can you be on medical leave in Alberta? ›

Eligible employees can take up to 16 weeks of leave due to illness, injury or quarantine. On this page: Basic rules.

How long can snowbirds be away from Canada and keep their provincial health insurance? ›

In Ontario, residents can spend up to 212 days outside Canada. British Columbia and Manitoba allow six months in a calendar year. Newfoundland and Labrador grants up to 8 months every year. It's crucial for snowbirds to check the specific regulations of their home province to avoid losing their healthcare privileges.

How long can a Canadian stay out of Canada? ›

As long as they want. A Canadian citizen never loses their citizenship or right to live in Canada not matter how long they stay out of the country. They will generally lose their provincial health care after 6 months absence ( depending on the province ).

How long can you be out of Canada without losing health care BC? ›

You can maintain BC MSP coverage for up to 6 months of absence from BC. If your absence is less than 6 months, you have the option to keep BC MSP.

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