Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan Registration Services
Questions and Answers
Q1. Why is Alberta Health and Wellness providing registration services through registry offices?
A. Expanding to 20 registry offices (13 independent registry agencies and 7 Alberta Motor Associations locations) throughout the province creates easy and convenient access for Albertans to register for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) or make changes to their information. Accurate registration information is vital to ensure only eligible residents receive publicly funded health services.
Q2. Where exactly can I go?
A. There are 20 registry offices throughout the province to serve you. Service
at AMA locations requires AMA membership. The 13 independent registry agents
can provide service to all Albertans. See
list of participating registry offices.
Q3. Can I still go to the downtown Alberta Health and Wellness office in Edmonton/Calgary?
A. No. Front counter access for the public in Edmonton and in Calgary will be closed March 31, 2009.
Q4. What AHCIP services are offered at the Alberta registry offices?
A. Residents of Alberta can apply for coverage with the AHCIP and make changes to their registration information. This includes changes of name, address, marital status and adding or removing coverage for a dependant. The registry offices will also provide AHCIP forms to apply for Alberta Blue Cross Non-group coverage, Premium Assistance and Pre-authorized Payment Plan for Non-group coverage.
Q5. Will I have to pay a fee at the registry office
for any of the AHCIP registration services I use?
A. No. Alberta registry offices will provide AHCIP registration services at no charge.
Q6. Can a registry agent provide me with an Alberta Personal Health Card?
A. No. Registry agents can process the application for AHCIP coverage and generate a request for a card. All cards are mailed directly to Albertans from Alberta Health and Wellness. See question 13 for contact information.
Q7. Since registration services will now be available through Alberta registry offices, does this mean I have to re-register for the AHCIP?
A. No. If you have already registered for AHCIP coverage, you do not need to re-apply. Please advise if you have changes of name, address, marital status or adding or removing coverage for a dependant.
Q8. Is my personal medical information accessible to the registry staff?
A. No. The staff at Alberta registry offices will not have access to any medical information, including medical records. The registry staff will only have access to information as it pertains to registration (i.e., name, address and dependants).
Q9. How secure is my personal information at the Alberta registry offices?
A. Your personal information is safe. Registry agents are subject to strict legislative, contractual and policy requirements in regards to protecting the security of and release of Albertan’s information.
Q10. I make payments for my Blue Cross non-group coverage through the Alberta Health and Wellness front counter in Calgary/Edmonton. Does this mean I can make payments at the Alberta registry offices?
A. No. Alberta registry offices cannot accept payment for your Blue Cross non-group coverage. Payments can be made by mail to PO Box 2411, Postal Station M, Calgary, AB T2P 4B4. Do not send cash in the mail. Payment can also be made through chartered banks and most other Canadian financial institutions.
Q11. I still owe premiums for my AHCIP coverage. Can I make payments for these arrears at the registry offices?
A. No. Alberta registry offices cannot accept payment for your AHCIP arrears. See question 10 for payment information.
Q12. Why use Alberta registry offices?
A. It provides one point of contact for many Albertans. For instance, when Albertans complete or make changes to their motor vehicle registration at one of these offices, they can also register or make changes to their AHCIP coverage.
Q13. Do I have to go through an Alberta registry office for these services or are there other options?
A. In addition to the 20 registry offices, Albertans can still register for AHCIP coverage by mail or make changes to registration information by:
| Telephone: | 780-427-1432 (Edmonton)
Toll-free in Alberta, dial 310-0000 then 780-427-1432 |
| Fax: | 780-422-0102 (Edmonton) |
| Mail: | Alberta Health and Wellness
PO Box 1360, Station Main Edmonton, AB T5J 2N3 |
Q14. Can I still submit changes to my personal information through my employer?
A. No. Please visit one of the registry offices participating in the project or submit changes directly to Alberta Health and Wellness. (See question 13 above) See
list of participating registry offices.
Q15. Why aren’t all of the Alberta registry offices in the province included? What do you mean by “pilot location”?
A. At this time, Alberta Health and Wellness is utilizing only a select number of “pilot,” or “trial” offices for a six month period. This program will be reviewed to explore future expansion to other registry agents throughout Alberta.
Q16. Why were these specific Alberta registry offices chosen?
A. Offices were chosen to provide better access to Albertans and in some cases, because of their large, local and new resident populations who are typically major users of registration services. Offices were also chosen in close proximity to the downtown Alberta Health and Wellness Edmonton and Calgary offices that are closing March 31, 2009.
Q17. Will Alberta Health and Wellness staff be losing their jobs?
A. Job loss for permanent staff is not anticipated. Staff who are directly affected by the change are being redeployed within the department and throughout government.
Q18. How can I contact the AHCIP or get more information?
A. You can contact the AHCIP as follows:
| Telephone: | 780-427-1432 (Edmonton) Toll-free in Alberta, dial 310-0000 then 780-427-1432 |
| Fax: | 780-422-0102 (Edmonton) |
| Mail: | Alberta Health and Wellness
PO Box 1360, Station Main Edmonton, AB T5J 2N3 |
| Website: | www.health.alberta.ca |
| E-mail: | For general information or non-personal questions regarding Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, e-mail health.ahcipmail@gov.ab.ca
Any personal information you submit by e-mail is not secure, and may be observed by a third party while in transit. Any questions, comments, or concerns containing your personal health information should be made by telephone to the AHCIP (see above). |