Healthcare in Alberta
You may have heard that Canada has free healthcare! This is true for most medical services and each province manages their own public healthcare system. Alberta has free universal medical coverage for all residents through Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) including newcomers and immigrants, but you must apply. It’s important to do this as soon as you arrive because processing can take a few months. Some newcomers purchase private health insurance for this waiting period in case of sudden illness or injury.
Important: AHCIP does not cover everything. To see what is covered, visit alberta.ca/ahcip.
HELPFUL TIP: Not everything is included in Alberta Healthcare. Some common extras include dental, optometry, prescriptions and some immunizations. Learn more about what is and isn’t covered on the Government of Alberta website.
Free Healthcare Options
- Call 811 for Health Link to speak with a nurse. This is a free phone service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Call 911 if you have a life-threatening emergency.
- Find a family doctor through the Grande Prairie Primary Care Network at grandeprairiepcn.com/clinics.
- Visit a walk-in clinic if you don’t have a family doctor. Walk-in clinics have doctors but no appointment is needed. Wait times may be long. Call 811 or visit albertahealthservices.ca/options/page11973.aspx#walkin to find a clinic.
- Book an online appointment using the Telus MyHealth app to speak with a doctor over the phone or video chat.
- Visit a Pharmacy. Some pharmacists can give prescriptions or order lab tests for minor illnesses such as bladder/urinary tract infection, cold sores, skin rashes, allergies and more.
- Apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. This new program may cover dental costs for some people. Visit www.canada.ca and search ‘Canadian Dental Care Plan’ to see if you qualify.
Other supports: Community Compass
Moving to a new country can be stressful. Services found in the Community Compass can help you feel supported as you adjust to life in Grande Prairie. View the Community Compass for more information.
HELPFUL TIP: Alberta Health Services offers free online translated health information in many languages. Visit albertahealthservices.ca/languages to find medical information in your language or email translation.services@ahs.ca to learn more. You can also call the Alberta Health Services Mental Health Help Line toll-free at 1-877-303-2462 to speak with a mental health professional 24/7. This service is free and confidential.