Alberta

Provincial Health Plan

Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)

Prescription Medication/Drugs

Alberta Adult Health Benefit program: Prescription drugs, dental care, optical services, emergency ambulance and diabetic are fully covered for adults from low-income households including privately sponsored refugees.

Alberta Child Health Benefit Program: Children up to the age of 18 (up to age 20 if they live at home and are attending high school) from low-income households are fully covered for prescription drugs, dental care and eyeglasses.

Dental

Alberta Child Health Benefit Program: Children up to the age of 18, and 20 if they live at home and are attending high school, from low-income households are fully covered for prescription drugs, dental care and eyeglasses.

Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors: Provides low- to moderate-income seniors (65 years and over) with financial assistance for basic dental and optical services.

Reduced-fee dental care is provided for low-income clients with no dental insurance at three Community Public Dental Health Clinics in Alberta. Eligible clients receive basic dental care at a cost of 20% of the normal fee. The Chumir Dental Clinic and the NE Dental Clinic offer this option in Calgary; and the Airdrie Dental Clinic provides it in Airdrie. See this fact sheet for coverage, eligibility, registration and location details.

Burns Memorial Fund: The Fund assists low-income families with the costs of Orthodontics for children with orthodontic needs and the cost of children’s dental care needs that are not already covered by Alberta Child Health Benefit or private insurance.

The School of Dentistry at the University of Alberta in Edmonton provides a range of dental health services at a reduced cost (about 50%).

Other

Mosaic Primary Care Network’s Refugee Health Clinic: The Clinic provides primary and multi-specialty care services to refugee newcomers including PSRs. Services include women’s health programs (incl. pre-natal), children’s health services, mental health services and referrals to dental health care, optometrists and interpreters.

Edmonton Centre for Survivors of Torture and Trauma: A program of the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, this Centre provides counselling services for refugees and immigrants whose past traumatic experiences are still causing significant distress and emotional problems in their present lives.

Community Based Counselling: Funded by the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, psychologists visit clients in the community to provide community-based, culturally-sensitive counselling.

The Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative: The Coop provides prenatal education, post-natal support, health and sexuality education, telephone counselling and referrals, home visits when necessary, resource material development, community development and health promotion and consultation concerning cross-cultural issues. Also serves as health brokers between health institutions and immigrants as well refugee communities.

Burns Memorial Fund: The Fund provides grants for services and equipment to children under 21 with special needs in low-income families.

Alberta Aids to Daily Living: Provides financial assistance towards the cost of basic medical supplies and equipment in home or home-like setting for residents with a long-term disability, chronic illness or terminal illness. Eligible individuals may have to pay 25% of the costs up to a maximum of $500 per year.

Mental Health Help Line (toll-free 1-877-303-2642): Mental health professionals provide crisis intervention, information on mental health programs and services, and referral to other agencies 24/7. This confidential, anonymous service is provided by Health Link Alberta.

Health Link (toll-free 1-866-408-5465): Registered nurses provide confidential health advice and information about health symptoms and concerns 24/7.