Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
What's Covered Under AHCIP
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Last updated: August 2026. AHCIP coverage details are subject to change. Always confirm current coverage with the Government of Alberta's Ministry of Health.
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
Alberta’s provincial healthcare plan, or the AHCIP coverage summary, stands for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. The following is a summary of AHCIP benefits and coverage
Coverage Summary
All residents of Alberta must register themselves and their dependents with AHCIP in order to qualify for benefits
Services Covered by AHCIP
Generally speaking, any service that is deemed medically necessary is covered by AHCIP
Medically required services provided by a physician or surgeon.
Psychiatrist visits (psychologists are not covered).
Medically required diagnostic services, including laboratory, radiological, and other diagnostic procedures.
Some oral and maxillofacial surgery services.
Bariatric surgery for residents who qualify via the Alberta Weight Wise program.
Breast augmentation and mastectomy for gender-affirming surgery, through Alberta's Gender Reaffirming Surgery Program (requires pre-approval).
Ambulance transportation from one medical facility to another.
Standard hospital accommodations and meals.
Medically necessary nursing services.
Medications administered in a hospital.
Use of the operating room, radiotherapy, and anesthetic facilities during a covered hospital stay.
Services Not Covered by AHCIP
Cosmetic surgery unless deemed medically necessary. Examples are vasectomy reversals, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), and breast reductions (mammoplasty).
Prescription drugs obtained outside of a hospital or nursing home (see prescription drug programs below).
Eye exams for residents aged 19 to 64, unless deemed medically necessary as a result of trauma or a specific medical condition.
Routine dental treatment (cleanings, fillings, and extractions).
Ambulance transportation, except between medical facilities.
Vision care, including glasses, refractive laser eye surgery, and contact lenses.
Health services provided by people who are not physicians (massage therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, physiotherapists outside a hospital, naturopaths, nutritionists, psychologists, homeopaths, and nurse practitioners).
Hearing aids.
Surgical and medical appliances, prosthetics, wheelchairs, and other mobility devices (basic equipment may be covered through the Alberta Aids to Daily Living program).
Assisted reproductive technology, including fertility treatment and IVF.
Travel vaccinations and some other immunizations.
Medical exams requested by a third party, such as employment, insurance, sports, or driver's medical exams.
Medical advice obtained over the telephone, unless otherwise stated in the Schedule of Medical Benefits.
Semi-private and private hospital rooms, unless medically necessary.
Dentures.
Services That Are Partially Covered
Podiatry: some, although not all, podiatry services are covered up to a maximum of $250 per year. Contact the Alberta government for further details.
Some dental, oral and maxillofacial surgical services if deemed medically necessary.
Some dental benefits for seniors with low to moderate incomes (see the Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors Program).
Partial or full coverage for some optometry costs if treatment is required as a result of specific medical conditions. Contact the Alberta government for further details.
Quick Answer: What Is the AHCIP Benefit Year?
The AHCIP benefit year runs from July 1 to June 30. Annual limits and maximums, like the $250 podiatry cap, reset on that date, not on the calendar year. If your treatment costs more than the benefit limit, you or a secondary insurer will need to cover the difference.
For eye exams specifically, children 18 and under and seniors 65 and over are eligible for one full eye exam and one diagnostic procedure per benefit year, not per calendar year, which trips people up when booking appointments in the new year.
Does AHCIP Cover You Outside Alberta/Canada?
Your AHCIP card works outside Alberta, but coverage narrows the further you go.
Within Canada: Alberta has reciprocal agreements with all provinces and territories except Quebec for insured physician services, meaning most of the time you won't pay upfront for a doctor visit in another province. But you may be responsible for the difference between what Alberta covers and what the other province charges, and in some cases you'll need to pay first and claim reimbursement after.
Outside Canada: Coverage drops sharply. Only emergency physician and hospital services are eligible for reimbursement, and you'll be reimbursed at the rate an Alberta physician would be paid for the same service, or your actual cost, whichever is lower. That gap can be significant if you're treated in the US, where medical costs run far higher than Canadian rates.
Staying away for a while? You can keep your AHCIP coverage if you're in another province for less than 12 consecutive months, or outside Canada for less than 6 consecutive months. Snowbirds and frequent travellers should also know recurring vacation absences of up to 212 days in a 12-month period may still qualify for continued coverage, but it's worth confirming with AHCIP directly before you go.
See our travel insurance options for Canadians if you're planning a trip outside Alberta. If you're regularly splitting time between two provinces, we also cover how that affects your coverage in more detail in our guide to health coverage between provinces.
How Long Is the AHCIP Waiting Period for New Residents?
| Situation | When Coverage Starts |
|---|---|
| Moving from another Canadian province | First day of the 3rd month after establishing residency |
| Moving from outside Canada | May start on your residency establishment date, if you apply within 3 months |
| Military family relocation | Immediate, no waiting period |
If you're moving to Alberta from another Canadian province or territory, you don't get AHCIP coverage right away. You need to apply within 3 months of establishing residency in Alberta if you plan to live here for 12 months or more. But applying doesn't mean you're covered immediately.
Coverage begins on the first day of the third month after you establish residency. So if you move to Alberta on July 12, your AHCIP coverage becomes effective October 1. That's roughly two and a half months where you're technically between provincial health plans.
During this gap, you can keep using your health card from your previous province or territory, but coverage rules vary by province and won't always match what you'd get in Alberta. Some people also choose short-term private health insurance to cover this window, especially if they're not sure their old provincial card will be accepted for care received in Alberta.
There's one exception. The waiting period is waived entirely for military families moving to Alberta, who are covered from the date they establish residency.
If you're arriving from outside Canada, the rules are different. You may be eligible for coverage from the date you establish residency, but you still need to apply within 3 months and provide the right documentation.
If you're in that waiting window, it's worth looking at short-term coverage so a single ER visit or urgent appointment doesn't turn into a large out-of-pocket bill. Get a free instant quote to see your options while you wait for AHCIP to kick in.
Prescription Drug Coverage Programs
Specialized High Cost Drug Program
Some funding is available for drugs used in specialized procedures such as organ transplants and major heart surgery.
Insulin Pump Therapy Program
Designed for Albertans who have Type 1 or Type 3 diabetes. Covers the cost of an insulin pump and associated supplies.
For full details, go to the Alberta government’s health plan web site
Outpatient Cancer Drug Benefit Program
Certain medications used to directly treat cancer are covered.
Retina Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Program For Intraocular Disease
The RAPD program offers coverage for Avastin, Lucentis and Eylea, drugs which are used to slow down loss of vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Routine dental work like cleanings and fillings is not covered. Some oral and maxillofacial surgery is partially covered when it's medically necessary, and low-to-moderate income seniors may qualify for additional dental benefits through a separate provincial program.
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It runs from July 1 to June 30 each year. Annual maximums for services like podiatry reset on that date rather than January 1.
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No. You need to apply and get approved before you're covered, it isn't automatic. This applies whether you're a new resident, moving from another province, or a newcomer to Canada. Coverage only starts once your application is reviewed and your health card is issued.
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You can fill out the Application Form for AHCIP Coverage online and save it, but you can't submit it entirely online. You'll need to print the completed form and bring it, along with your supporting documents (proof of identity, Alberta residency, and legal status in Canada), to a participating registry in person. In-person applications are typically processed within about 5 business days.
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The official form is on Alberta.ca under AHCIP Forms. Download and complete the Application Form for AHCIP Coverage (AHC0102), then bring the printed copy and your supporting documents to a participating registry. Don't submit forms or personal documents by email, the province doesn't accept applications that way.
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AHCIP only covers physician and hospital services, so the province runs a few other programs to fill the gaps. Non-Group Coverage is a monthly premium plan through Alberta Blue Cross for residents under 65, covering things like prescription drugs and other services AHCIP doesn't touch. Coverage for Seniors gives Albertans 65 and older premium-free drug and health benefit coverage. There's also the Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors program, Alberta Aids to Daily Living for equipment and devices, and Palliative Coverage for Albertans in end-of-life care. Many Albertans also add a private health plan on top of these for broader drug, dental, and vision coverage.
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If you've come across "AHIP," that's usually just a misspelling of AHCIP, Alberta's government health plan. AHCIP itself isn't sold by any company, it's run by the Government of Alberta and administered through Alberta Health. What private companies do offer is supplementary coverage that fills the gaps AHCIP leaves, prescription drugs, dental, vision, and more. Alberta Blue Cross, Manulife, Sun Life, and Green Shield Canada are among the providers offering these plans in Alberta. Compare private health insurance quotes to see what's available.
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AHCIP is Alberta's public health insurance plan. It covers medically necessary physician visits, hospital stays, and related diagnostic services for eligible residents. Once you're registered, you're issued a personal health card. You show that card along with photo ID whenever you access an insured health service, so your provider can bill AHCIP directly instead of charging you.
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It's the unique personal health number printed on your Alberta health card. Physicians, hospitals, and pharmacies use this number to identify you and bill AHCIP for insured services. You'll need to provide it, along with photo ID, whenever you access care in Alberta.
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Your AHCIP coverage is tied to the expiry date on your personal health card. Before that date, you need to visit a participating Alberta Registry Agent in person to renew. If you let it lapse past the expiry date, your coverage is cancelled and you'll need to reapply.
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If you're moving from another Canadian province, coverage starts on the first day of the third month after you establish residency in Alberta. Newcomers from outside Canada may be covered from their residency date, provided they apply within 3 months.
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Only while you're admitted to a hospital or nursing home. Prescriptions filled at a pharmacy for use at home are not covered, though specific programs exist for cancer drugs, insulin pumps, and a few other specialized treatments.
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Psychiatrist visits are covered since psychiatrists are physicians. Psychologists and other mental health professionals who aren't physicians are not covered under AHCIP.
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Yes, but with limits. Most Canadian provinces have agreements with Alberta for physician and hospital services, except Quebec. Outside Canada, only emergency care is covered, and reimbursement is capped at Alberta's rate for that service.