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Your Alberta health card is a government-funded service that will cover many basic costs related to your medical needs. Canada has a great healthcare system that strives to provide free, universal healthcare for all its residents. Your Alberta health card will cover many medical costs for you in Alberta, as well as the rest of Canada. In this guide, we’ll look at how to apply for your Alberta health card.
Alberta is known throughout Canada for its breathtaking scenery and low taxes. It also has a great health care system in place. The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) provides Alberta residents access to free medical services. AHCIP covers the cost of many medical services you would have had to pay for otherwise. Generally speaking, any medical service that is considered necessary is covered by AHCIP.
Your Alberta health card will cover many basic health care services. From annual eye exams to ambulance transportation costs, your Alberta health card has got you covered. Below are some of the services that AHCIP covers:
Some services are only partially covered by your health card. These services include:
To access a bigger list of what is and isn’t covered by AHCIP, click here.
While you’re for coverage from the Alberta health insurance program, you may want to purchase travel medical health insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses.
Applying to AHCIP involves a few simple steps. The government has made it easy to apply for an Alberta health card. As long as you follow each step, you will have your Alberta health card in no time.
You will need certain documents when you apply. These documents will prove that you are who you say you are. They will also prove that you are eligible for AHCIP.
When you apply for your Alberta health card, you will have to provide documents to show:
Proof of residency can be anything that proves you live in Alberta. To prove you live in Alberta, you can provide any of the following documents:
Any documents with your name and signature will count as proof of identity. However, to be safe, check the health ministry website to confirm acceptable documents. Some examples of proof of identity include:
It is important not to confuse this requirement with proof of residency. This document requires you to prove you legally live in Canada. On the other hand, proof of residency requires you to prove you live in Alberta. Documents that prove your legal entitlement to be in Canada include:
Without a document from each of these categories, you will not be able to file your application for AHCIP. Because of this, it is important to bring all the documents you need to apply for an Alberta health card. Click here to access the full list of documents that are accepted.
You will also need to fill out an application form to apply for an Alberta health card. The application form is accessible online. You can access the application form by clicking here. If you need help, many settlement agencies can help you apply.
After obtaining your three documents for proof and filling out the application form, you are ready to apply. In Alberta, you have the option to apply in person or by mail. In both cases, the application process is very similar.
To apply in person, you can visit a participating Alberta registry office. To file your application, you must bring your three original documents and the completed application form. Photocopies will not be accepted when you apply in person. To find the nearest participating Alberta registry office near you, click here.
Applying by mail is slightly different than applying in person. You will still need your application form and your three documents. However, you are not required to send in the original version of your documents. Therefore, you will have to get photocopies of your three original documents to mail to the AHCIP office.
Keep in mind that it might take longer to process your application if you send it in by mail. If you can, it is better to apply in person. That way, there is less room for error and you can start using AHCIP right away.
If you have recently arrived in Ontario, an important first step is to apply for your Ontario Health Card. Canada is known throughout the world for its easy-to-access universal health care. Free health care is a source of pride for Canadians. Since health care is a provincial responsibility, each province has a slightly different approach to providing free, universal health care. In this article, we look at Ontario’s health care system and the Ontario health card application process.
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) provides free basic health care services to Ontario residents. To access free health care in Ontario, you must apply for an OHIP health card. OHIP will cover appointments with your family doctor, visits to walk-in clinics, and regular eye check-ups, to name some of the services.
Before you submit your Ontario health card application, make sure that you meet the three basic eligibility requirements AND at least one of the additional requirements.
To meet basic requirements, you must:
Additional requirements:
You must also meet at least one of these additional requirements. For example, you are:
If you meet all the requirements you are eligible to apply for OHIP. Now comes the question, how exactly do you apply for OHIP to get your Ontario health card? Let’s go through the Ontario health card application process, starting with what you need to apply.
You can apply for OHIP as soon as you arrive in Ontario.
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REGISTER FOR THE WEBINARTo apply for an Ontario health card, you can visit the nearest ServiceOntario location. You must present the following three documents:
Note: All documents that you bring with you must be original documents. Service Ontario Centers usually don’t accept photocopies. To be safe, click here to find what documents will be accepted as your three proofs.
Once you have your three documents, what is the next step? You have to apply for OHIP in person. To apply for OHIP, you will have to visit a ServiceOntario Center. Almost every municipality in Ontario has a ServiceOntario. Click here to find the nearest ServiceOntario location.
At a ServiceOntario center, you will complete some forms before you can submit your health card application. After that is out of the way, you will meet with a ServiceOntario employee and present your three documents along with any forms. The employee will go through your documents and take a photo of you to go on your health card.
Once you have cleared everything, you will get a receipt that tells you when your OHIP coverage begins. Since Ontario has a waiting time on health cards, your coverage won’t begin right away. Once your OHIP coverage begins, your Ontario health card will be mailed out to you. It’s as simple as that!
The biggest question newcomers have about Ontario’s health card is what exactly can you use it for? OHIP covers a wide range of medical services but not everything is included. In this section, you will get a clearer sense of what your Ontario health card will cover.
It is a common practice to get a family doctor in Ontario. OHIP covers visits to a family doctor. A family doctor is the first doctor you make an appointment with when you have a health concern that isn’t an emergency. To search for a family doctor, click here.
If you need to stay at the hospital, OHIP covers doctor and nursing services, medical tests, medications while you’re in the hospital, accommodation, and meals. However, if you want a private or semi-private room, you pay some or all of the fees or through private travel medical health insurance.
OHIP covers dental surgeries that take place in a hospital. Dental surgeries can be complicated and often cannot be performed at your dentist’s office. OHIP covers you if you go to the hospital for dental surgery.
OHIP covers annual eye check-ups for residents aged 19 years and younger or 65 years and older. If you are between 20 and 64, you will only get OHIP coverage if you have a medical condition affecting your eyes. You will also get OHIP coverage if your family doctor refers you for an eye check-up.
If you live in Northern Ontario, OHIP might cover travel costs to a health facility. Since the northern areas of Ontario are farther from medical services, the government helps residents pay for healthcare-related transportation. If you live near the following areas, you might get OHIP coverage for transportation:
These are just some of the basic services that OHIP covers. To get a more in-depth understanding of what your Ontario health card will cover for you, click here.
As a newcomer, it is natural to have questions about OHIP and health cards. Let’s look into some common questions newcomers have about their Ontario health cards.
The short answer is yes, OHIP will cover you outside of Ontario. The level of coverage depends on where you are though. If you travel to another province in Canada, you will get almost the same coverage you would get in Ontario. Quebec is a little different so you might have to pay some extra fees even with OHIP.
If you are travelling outside of Canada, OHIP doesn’t become completely useless. You might still get some coverage from OHIP, especially if you travel to the United States. However, the coverage will be minimal and you will have to pay mostly by yourself. In this case, it’s wise to purchase private travel insurance. With a Canada travel health insurance plan, you avoid situations that could result in significant medical expenses if an illness or accident occurs.
If you lose your Ontario health card, the first thing to do is call ServiceOntario to report it lost. By doing this, your lost card will immediately be disabled and you will be sent a new card right away. However, If there are any information changes on your card, such as address change, you will need to visit a ServiceOntario center.
If you are moving to Saskatchewan, you must register for a health card to receive health benefits. It’s vital that you apply for your Saskatchewan health card soon after you arrive because you may have a waiting period of up to three months before you receive coverage. As well, you can only apply for a health card after you arrive in Canada. Learn more about the Saskatchewan health plan, who is eligible, and how to obtain your health care card. This is vital information for newcomers so you know how to benefit from Saskatchewan’s healthcare system and ensure your health and wellness.
Usually, your health coverage begins on, or before, the first day of the third month after you arrive in Saskatchewan. For example, if you arrive on September 27th, your coverage would begin on December 1. However, You may be eligible for benefits on your first day of arriving in the province if you belong to any of these special classes of newcomers:
To find out if you can skip the waiting period, it’s best to contact eHealth Saskatchewan or call toll-free: 1-800-667-7551.
Canadians are proud of their privilege and access to one of the greatest healthcare systems in the world. Canada’s universal health care system is funded by tax dollars and Canadian citizens or permanent residents can apply for public health insurance.
Because health care is the responsibility of the provinces and territories in Canada, each province may have slightly different plans. So, it’s important to understand what the health plan covers in the province that you move to. Here’s what you need to know about health care in Saskatchewan and how to apply for a health card.
Many, (but not all) health care services are free if you have a Saskatchewan health card. For example, with your health card, any necessary medical services provided by a doctor are free (this includes both inpatient and outpatient services). Other services are covered in part, and some services are not covered.
However, not all health care services are free. Some services are only covered for a part of the cost and you are responsible to pay the rest of the cost.
But, many employers provide additional health insurance to their full-time employees to help cover some of the costs that the public health care plan doesn’t cover. So, be sure to find out if your employer offers health insurance, what the plan covers, and how much they cover.
If your employer does not provide health insurance, you can purchase private health insurance to pay for health expenses for you and your family.
To apply for a health card, you’ll need supporting documents for you and each family member under the age of 18:
For Permanent Residents, proof can include a document such as:
For Foreign Nationals proof can include a:
If you need help to complete your health card application, many settlement agencies can help you with this, along with many other free services.
Your Saskatchewan health card ensures you receive the medical care you and your family need. So to apply for a health card, follow these three simple steps:
2. Ensure you have the supporting documents (proof that you can live in Canada and proof of residency as listed above)
3. Start your online application. (Register for an account as a New User to complete your application).
Or you can print this Health Card Application Form, complete it, and send it with the required documents to:
eHealth Saskatchewan
2130 11th Avenue
Regina, SK
S4P OJ5
If you are an international student, you may be eligible for Saskatchewan health coverage. You will have to show proof of full-time enrolment at an accredited school and a valid Study Permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
You can only apply for your health card when you arrive in Saskatchewan. And, be sure to apply for it as soon as you arrive because you may have up to a three-month waiting period.
To qualify, you must be a resident of Saskatchewan and reside in the province for at least six months per year. Your health coverage will begin when your application is approved.
While you are waiting for access to public health care, you may want to purchase private travel medical health insurance to cover any health care costs or emergencies.
Yes, if you are travelling within Canada and need medical services but, you need to show your Saskatchewan health card. So, be sure to carry your health card with you at all times. Provinces (except Quebec) and territories have an agreement to cover the cost of necessary medical services. The province of Saskatchewan will reimburse the host province’s costs.
However, some services are not covered such as hospital transfer, ambulance, and return transportation to Saskatchewan. If you have private insurance, your insurance company may pay for these additional services. But, check with your insurance provider to find out what they will cover.
Medical services may be much higher outside of Canada. And, you are responsible to pay the amount above what the Saskatchewan health plan covers. When travelling outside of Canada, it’s best to buy additional travel insurance.
Physician, Surgeons or Specialists: Find a physician who is taking new patients in Regina, SK.
Immunization Services: Learn about programs and when to get immunized.
Primary Health Care: Get help to find a family physician in Saskatchewan and support to navigate the health system.
Emergency Medical Services: Find ambulance, emergency 911, hospitals, and poison control services.
Notification of Updated Immigration Document: Complete this form if you have an updated document such as a work permit, study permit, visitor record, or permanent resident card.
One of the greatest benefits for newcomers is access to world-class and publicly-funded healthcare. This information ensures you know how to apply for a Saskatchewan health card for you and your family’s well-being.