Albertans are responsible for the cost of prescription drugs provided to them outside hospitals, auxiliary hospitals and nursing homes.
Prescription Drugs for Seniors
Drug coverage for Seniors is available to all Albertans 65 years of age and older and their dependants. To qualify, one must be 65 years of age or older, or be the spouse or adult interdependent partner of a person 65 years of age or older, be a resident of Alberta, be registered with the Alberta Health CAre Insurance Plan and have not opted out of the plan, and must have submitted proof of age to either Alberta Health and Wellness or to Alberta Seniors and Community Supports. Eligible Albertans pay 30% of the cost, to a maximum of $25, for each drug prescribed. Individuals are responsible for additional costs related to the choice of more expensive brand-name drugs instead of an equivalent generic drug.
Alberta Blue Cross Non-group Coverabe
Non-group coverage is a supplementary health benefits program available for Albertans under the age of 65 and not in receipt of the Alberta Widows' Pension.
Premiums are set at: Regular Coverage $61.50 (single) or $123.00 (family) and Subsidized Coverage $43.05 (single) or $86.10 (family)
*premium subsidies are are based on an individual's prior year income tax return
The prescription drug benefits of Non-group coverage are as follows:
Co-payment is 30% to a maximum of $25 unless drugs are not listed in the Alberta Health and Wellness Drug Benefit List, an individual chooses a more expensive brand of drug than the lowest-cost or generic brand, or if the brand of drug costs more than the maximum cost set by Alberta Health and Wellness
Other
Alberta Employment and Immigration contracts with alberta Blue Cross to offer health benefits, including prescription drugs, for the following client groups:
- Income Support, for Albertans who don't have the resources to meet their basic needs;
- Alberta Adult Health Benefit, for Albertans who leave income support;
- Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), for adults who have a permanent disability which severely affects their ability to earn a livelihood;
- Alberta Child Health Benefit, for children of low-income families.
Additional Coverage
Other mechanisms employed by Alberta Health and Wellness to provide coverage for prescription drugs include:
- Alberta Health Services provides all medically required drugs used in hospitals, auxiliary hospitals and nursing homes, at no direct cost to the patient.
- Province-wide Services provides funding to regional health authorities in Edmonton and Calgary for select high-cost drugs.
- The Alberta Cancer Board may provide medically-required cancer drugs as specified in the Alberta Cancer Board Outpatient Cancer Drug Benefit Program, at no charge, to eligible residents for the treatment of cancer.
- Disease Control and Prevention provides prescription drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis and sexually transmitted disease at no direct cost to the patient.