Apply for health care coverage if you move to Alberta

Moving from within Canada

If you have moved to Alberta from another province or territory and intend to live here for 12 months or more, you must apply (register) for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) coverage within 3 months of establishing residency in Alberta.

In Alberta, your coverage begins on the first day of the third month following the date you established residency in Alberta. If you apply later, the effective date of your coverage is determined when you register.

• For example, if you establish permanent residency in Alberta on July 12, your coverage is effective October 1.

Waiting period

If you applied for an Alberta personal health card and are in the waiting period, you can continue using your health card from your previous province or territory when accessing health services. Contact your previous province or territory health insurance office to find out what services are covered.

If you have not yet decided if you will stay in Alberta, continue using the health card from your previous province or territory when accessing insured health services. Contact your previous province or territory health insurance office to find out what services are covered.

Military families

The waiting period for AHCIP coverage is waived for military families moving to Alberta.

Military families who have recently moved to Alberta are eligible for AHCIP coverage on the date they establish residency in Alberta. Family members should apply for AHCIP coverage within 3 months of arriving. Once issued, health cards are effective immediately.

If you paid for a medical visit while eligible

If you paid for an insured health service and were eligible for AHCIP coverage, you may be eligible for reimbursement.

Take your new personal health card and your receipt to the place where you received the services.

The provider may submit a ‘payment-to-patient’ claim to AHCIP or reimburse you directly. You may need to contact the AHCIP Contact Centre to discuss your effective date.

Arriving ahead of a spouse or dependants

If your spouse or dependants plan to join you in Alberta later, you should maintain coverage for your family and yourself through your previous province or territory for up to 12 months.

If your spouse does not intend to move here within 12 months of your arrival, you must indicate that on the second page of the application.

If your spouse and dependants join you before 12 months, coverage will be effective for everyone on the first day of the third month after they arrive, or on the first day of the thirteenth month for you, whichever comes first.

Moving from outside Canada

If you are moving, immigrating, or returning to Alberta from outside Canada, you might be eligible for coverage from the date you established residency.

You must apply within 3 months of establishing residency and provide all the required documents.

If your AHCIP application is not received within 3 months of when you arrive and establish permanent residency in Alberta, the effective date of your coverage will be determined when your application is processed. Learn how to apply for AHCIP.

If you have an immigration document from Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada, you might be eligible for AHCIP coverage. Your eligibility depends on:

• the type of entry document you have
• any restrictions listed on the document
• the length of time allowed in Canada
• your commitment to live in Alberta for 12 consecutive months

A Canada Travel Visa is not an accepted document.

All applications, Canada entry, temporary resident permits, or permanent resident permits must be reviewed before a determination of eligibility can occur.

Canada entry stamp in your foreign passport

In some cases, an eligible resident's spouse or partner or dependent from another country might be eligible for AHCIP coverage if they have a dated entry stamp on their passport. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) does not automatically stamp and date passports. You must request a stamp at the time of entry.

If you did not get a stamp upon entry, a Travel History Report from the CBSA may be accepted in its place. Request a Travel History Report.

Attending school in Alberta

If you are in Alberta temporarily to attend school full time and plan to return to your home province or territory after your studies, you must maintain your health insurance coverage with your home province or territory. If you decide to stay in Alberta after graduation, apply for AHCIP coverage and indicate the date you decided to stay in Alberta on the application.

If you are a student from outside Canada, you may be eligible for AHCIP coverage.

• Learn about health coverage for out-of-province students and international students.

Working in Alberta

If you are in Alberta temporarily for work, maintain your home in another province or territory and return home regularly, you should maintain your health insurance coverage in your home province or territory.

If you are a worker from outside Canada, you may be eligible for AHCIP coverage.

• Learn about coverage for temporary residents.