Will ACHIP cover me when I travel?
Categories: AHCIP
AHCIP covers many health care expenses for Albertans when they travel outside of Alberta. However, there are important exceptions.
Travelling in Canada.
AHCIP covers the cost of medically necessary services from doctors, hospitals and oral surgeons when you travel within Canada.
If you visit an Oral Surgeon, or if you do not have your AHCIP card when you visit the doctor or hospital, you may be billed directly for the cost of the procedure. You can then submit a claim to AHCIP to be reimbursed for the full cost.
Always carry your AHCIP card with you in a safe place when you travel.
Travelling outside of Canada
AHCIP will cover the cost of medically necessary services outside of Canada. However, AHCIP will only pay the rate that a doctor, hospital or oral surgeon in Alberta would charge. This means that you could have to pay for some medical expenses yourself if you travel outside of Canada.
For example, if you receive a medical treatment while abroad and are billed $100, but the same procedure in Alberta costs $50, AHCIP will only reimburse you for $50. Medical procedures can be extremely expensive outside of Canada!
If you need hospital care outside of Canada, AHCIP will cover you for up to $100 CAD per day, or $50 per day for an outpatient hospital visit.
Medically Necessary Procedures
When you are traveling outside of Alberta, AHCIP will only pay for procedures which are medically necessary. You will not be covered for services like:
- Cosmetic surgery
- Routine dental care
- Hearing Aids
- Prescription medication
- Ambulance fees
- Routine eye exams
- Other medical services which are not necessary
Avoiding medical costs while travelling abroad
If you need medical care while travelling outside of Canada, and AHCIP does not cover the entire cost, you can avoid being out-of-pocket.
It is highly recommended that you purchase Private Travel Insurance if you are planning a trip outside of Canada. Travel Insurance may pay any amount not covered by AHCIP.
How to submit a claim
If you receive a bill for medical services that AHCIP will cover, you can submit a claim for reimbursement.
- AHCIP Claims form for Travelling in Canada (PDF)
- There is a section of the form that must be completed by the physician who treated you.
- AHCIP Claims form for Travelling outside of Canada (PDF)
Claims must be submitted within 1 year of the date you were treated. Fill out the form below, and attach any bills that you paid.
If you visited a hospital and were also charged for a medical procedure while at the hospital, you must submit separate bills.
Where can I get more information?
You can learn more at the AHCIP website for travelers.
You can also download a pamphlet for travelers concerned about Alberta health insurance coverage (PDF).
You can also call Alberta Health and Wellness on (780) 427-1432 if you are in Edmonton. If you are outside of Edmonton, you can call toll-free on 310-0000 (then dial 780-427-1432).
Always have your AHCIP number ready when you contact Alberta Health and Wellness.
Have something to add? Please leave a comment.