14
The Canadian Travellers’ Report Card
PRESERVATION OF HEALTH COVERAGE FOR FREQUENT TRAVELLERS
C
(2006: C)
Alberta residents who travel within Canada and plan to return to Alberta within 12 months, or who leave the coun-
try and plan to return within six months, retain health coverage. Travellers leaving Alberta for longer may apply to
the Alberta Health and Wellness Department for a 24-month extension of coverage. In this case you must demon-
strate permanent residency by satisfying the government’s criteria, such as havingmaintained economic, personal
and social ties in Alberta and not having established permanent residence elsewhere.
Change since last report:
The phrase “plan to return” has replaced the word “return” to describe Alberta travellers
permitted out of province/country travel times while maintaining health coverage. This implies some potential
fexibility of the government’s part in case of emergency.
Recommendations:
Allow international travel for between six and eight months, in addition to allowing an unlim-
ited number of short-term trips anywhere in the world, while still maintaining access to health benefts.
ACCESS TO EMERGENCY HEALTH COVERAGE WHEN TRAVELLING
D-
(2006: D-)
Alberta’s practice for reimbursing Canadians for emergency health services while abroad contravenes subpara-
graph 11(1)(b)(ii) of the Canada Health Act. The maximum rate paid for hospital in-patient care is $100 per day, not
including the day of discharge, or the amount billed, whichever is less. While Alberta would not disclose its per-day
rate provided for emergency services required while within Alberta, $100 is well below the average rates paid for
in-province services elsewhere in Canada. To be eligible for coverage, hospital services must be provided in an
active-treatment general or auxiliary hospital.
Only one out-patient visit is payable per day at a maximum beneft of $50. This is also below the average rate per
day paid for in-province services in other jurisdictions. Alberta pays out-of-country physician and other practitio-
ner services at the same rate it would pay for the same or similar services in Alberta. Alberta recommends travellers
purchase supplementary travel insurance whenever they are outside of the country.
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
Reimburse emergency in-patient and out-patient services required by travellers at the same
rate per day as that paid for similar services within the province and continue to update these rates to match
changes in real costs.
ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR USE DURING TRAVEL
C
(2006: C)
Alberta Health and Wellness places no limitation on the quantities of drugs that may be prescribed. Prescribers ex-
ercise their professional judgment in determining the course and duration of treatment for their patients. In most
cases, Alberta Health and Wellness will not pay benefts for more than a 100-day supply of a drug at one time. This
clouds the real issue: payment. For drugs obtained abroad, the government will reimburse eligible expenses (for
those normally covered under the programs) at Alberta rates for prescriptions written by licensed practitioners.
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
Cover the cost of up to a six-month supply of medication.
Alberta