Alberta will no longer cover non-urgent out-of-country health care
By Medicine Hat News on February 27, 2020.
The provincial government will no longer be covering out-of-country health care if it is non-urgent. Effective April 1, Albertans travelling in another country will no longer be covered for elective, non-urgent health services and routine lab tests. Currently only Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador provide out-of-country coverage for elective, non-urgent health services. For “emergency health services” in another country, there will be no change to coverage. The government says Albertans will continue to be partially reimbursed for insured emergency health services needed when travelling outside Canada. This change is expected to save Alberta about $1 million annually. Alberta’s independent Out-of-Country Health Services Committee will continue accepting applications for funding of insured, medically necessary services that aren’t available in Canada. 8-7
