Updated on August 4, 2024
If you haven’t applied for your Alberta Health Card yet, this post has all the info you need. If you’ve already applied and need a replacement, keep reading to get the details.
Alberta Health Card
All eligible new and returning residents in Alberta are required to register for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). To avail covered hospital and physician treatments, it’s essential to apply for your personal health care card.
The Alberta health care card, a government-issued ID, grants qualified residents access to hospital services, medical labs, doctors, certain insured dental services, and partial coverage for podiatrists and optometrists.
To access these services, make sure to have your photo ID and Alberta health care card when visiting a licensed medical office. It’s crucial to keep the card with you at all times. If you need medical attention and fail to show your card, there may be a charge for the service.
How to Apply for Alberta Health Card Replacement?
If you’ve lost or damaged your Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) personal health care card, you can easily get a replacement. Albertans have the option to request a new card through a phone call, in writing, or by visiting in person. Let’s explore each option for obtaining a replacement card individually:
To request a replacement for your Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) personal health care card, you have several options:
Telephone: Give them a call at 780-427-1432 on weekdays between 8:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Please note that the service is not available on weekends, statutory holidays, Sundays, and Saturdays. You can also use the toll-free number 310-0000, followed by 780-427-1432.
In Person: Visit any of the province’s participating registry agent office locations to update your information or sign up for coverage under AHCIP. This service is provided free of charge.
Mail: If you prefer written communication, send your replacement request to Alberta Health, Attention: Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, P.O. Box 1360, Station Main, Edmonton, AB T5J 2N3.
Email and Fax: For general information, you can email health.ahcipmail@gov.ab.ca. However, due to the sensitive nature of the information, it’s advisable not to send forms and confidential details via email. If you prefer fax, you can send it to 780-422-0102 (Edmonton).
Once your replacement card application is accepted and reviewed, the new cards will be sent to you via mail from the ACIUP office.
For first-time applicants, it’s crucial to accurately complete the application form. Click here to learn the format of the application form, providing detailed information on the required documents for filling out the form. You can also obtain the application forms from a participating registry.
Documents Required for Alberta Health Card
When applying for AHCIP coverage, it is necessary to provide supporting documentation to verify your identification, Alberta residency, and legal right to enter and remain in Canada. The table below outlines the documents accepted for each case:
| Documentation Type | Identification | Alberta Residency | Legal Right to Enter and Remain in Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Citizens | Canadian passport | Driver’s license or utility bill | Canadian passport or Citizenship Certificate |
| Permanent Residents | Permanent Resident Card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence | Driver’s license or utility bill | Permanent Resident Card or Travel Document |
| Refugees | Refugee Protection Claimant Document or Record of Landing | Driver’s license or utility bill | Refugee Protection Claimant Document or Record of Landing |
| Work Permit Holders | Work Permit or Temporary Resident Visa | Driver’s license or utility bill | Work Permit or Temporary Resident Visa |
| Study Permit Holders | Study Permit or Temporary Resident Visa | Driver’s license or utility bill | Study Permit or Temporary Resident Visa |
| Visitor Permit Holders | Visitor Record or Temporary Resident Visa | Driver’s license or utility bill | Visitor Record or Temporary Resident Visa |
| Canadian-born Individuals | Birth certificate | Driver’s license or utility bill | Canadian passport or Citizenship Certificate |
Ensure that the submitted documents are valid and up-to-date for a successful application process.
Who does not need to Apply for Alberta Health Card?
If students from other Canadian provinces or territories are enrolled in an accredited educational institution in Alberta and plan to return home after graduation, it’s important for them to maintain coverage under their home province’s health insurance policy.
Children who are dependents and are either under 21 years old or under 25 years old while enrolled full-time at an approved educational institution have the option to remain covered under their parent’s or legal guardian’s plan as long as they are attending school in Alberta.
Students planning to return to Alberta after finishing their studies at an accredited educational institution outside the province will continue to be covered by Alberta Health Care. To maintain this coverage each year after their first year, students attending school out of province must provide a Registrar’s letter from the educational institution.