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.

AHCIP manages eligibility and registration.

The Coverage for Seniors program does not provide travel insurance.

If you are planning to travel outside of the province or country, you are advised to purchase travel insurance to cover emergency hospital and medical expenses.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Coverage for Seniors, you must provide proof of being 65 years of age or older.

When AHCIP records indicate an Albertan will be turning 65, a package is mailed to the address on their AHCIP file providing information about programs and services for seniors.

This package will include a letter asking you to submit proof-of-age documents if required.

If you did not receive the package, or have further questions, contact the AHCIP office.

If we have a proof-of-age document on your AHCIP file, Coverage for Seniors is automatically added to your AHCIP account.

If we do not have a proof-of-age document on your AHCIP file, you will need to submit a proof-of-age document and a completed Proof-of-Age Declaration form (PDF, 149 KB)

Acceptable proof-of-age documents include:

Canadian driver’s licence

Alberta identification (ID) card

birth certificate

old-age pension entitlement form

passport or immigration record

Canadian citizenship certificate

Take your proof-of-age document and declaration to an AHCIP authorized registry agent for processing. You can also mail the completed form and a copy (both sides) of the proof-of-age document to the AHCIP office.

Effective March 1, 2020, seniors’ family members younger than 65 years of age are no longer eligible for the Coverage for Seniors program. If these individuals wish to obtain Non-Group Coverage, they must submit an application. To start Non-Group Coverage retroactively on March 1, 2020, the AHCIP office must receive the application by August 31, 2020. Otherwise, the standard wait period (up to four months) will apply before coverage becomes effective. If you have questions, contact the AHCIP Office.

Benefits provided

Prescription drugs

Prescription drugs listed in the Alberta Drug Benefit List are covered. The co-payment is 30% to a maximum of $25. A co-payment is the portion of the prescription cost you pay to your pharmacy when you have your prescription filled. For most prescriptions, you will not pay more than $25 for each prescription.

Prescription drugs covered under the plan are listed in the Alberta Drug Benefit List.

There are a few cases when you might have to pay more than the $25 co-payment maximum:

If your drug is not listed in the Alberta Drug Benefit List, or

If you want a more expensive brand of drug than the least cost alternative or generic product, or

If the brand of drug you want costs more than the maximum cost set by the Alberta government for that drug.

To avoid surprises, ask your pharmacist about the cost of your prescription before it is filled.

Diabetic supplies

Diabetic supply coverage is for insulin-treated diabetics only. Up to a maximum of $600 per eligible person each benefit year is covered for diabetic supplies purchased from a licensed pharmacy. Diabetic supplies include needles, syringes, lancets, and both blood glucose and urine testing strips.

If you are a low-income senior, learn about Special Needs Assistance for Seniors, if you have reached your $600 limit for the benefit year.

Ambulance services

Seniors, age 65 and over, enrolled in the Coverage for Seniors program do not receive a bill for ambulance services. AHCIP pays the complete cost of ambulance services.

Ambulance services are covered to the maximum rate established by the Alberta government for treatment, and transportation to and from a general, active treatment hospital in the event of illness or injury.

Transportation must be provided in a ground vehicle approved under the Emergency Health Services Act and regulations. It does not include interfacility transfer by ambulance.

Read more about ambulance service in Alberta

Learn more about health care facilities

Clinical psychological services

Coverage for clinical psychological services are up to $60 per visit, to a maximum of $300 per family each benefit year for treatment of mental or emotional illness by a registered chartered psychologist.

Home nursing care

Coverage for home nursing care is up to $200 per family each benefit year for nursing care provided in the patient's home by written order of a physician. Home nursing care must be provided by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse who is not a relative of the patient.

Chiropractic services

Coverage for chiropractic services is up to $25 per visit to a maximum of $200 per person each benefit year. The chiropractor must be a licensed Alberta practitioner.

What is not covered

The following are not covered under the Coverage for Seniors program:

claims for benefit expenses incurred prior to the effective date of coverage

claims for benefit expenses received by Alberta Blue Cross more than 12 months after the service was provided

services covered by the AHCIP

charges for drugs supplied directly and charged for by a physician, with the exception of allergy serums

registration, admission or user fees charged by a hospital

drug products not listed in the Alberta Drug Benefit List – ask your pharmacist or physician if your prescribed medication is on this list

semi-private or private hospital room

travel insurance for emergency hospital and medical expenses outside of the province or country

Contact

Connect with Alberta Blue Cross.