The Alberta government has implemented some changes to the eligibility criteria for Coverage for Seniors. As of March 1, 2020, family members younger than 65 years of age are no longer covered by Coverage for Seniors. Albertans 65 years of age and older will continue to be covered by the program.
What are the options for alternative coverage?
The Government of Alberta has drug and health benefit programs available to ensure that all Albertans have access to economical health benefits. For more information about these benefits, please visit the Alberta Health website at www.alberta.ca/drug-coverage-health-benefits.aspx.
One of the government program options is the Non-Group Coverage program, a government-sponsored plan administered by Alberta Blue Cross®. Monthly premiums and co-payments apply under this program.
Who to contact?
If you have questions, contact the AHCIP office. For further information on the Coverage for Seniors program please visit the Alberta Health website.
For program claims and benefits questions, contact us at 1-800-661-6995 or contact your Alberta Blue Cross® representative directly.
Hello Blue Cross. I currently have no work income due to the Corona virus and would like to apply for the free Group 66 plan for seniors. I got the information for this plan from the Provincial Govt office in St. Albert ( Alberta works) they gave me a pamphlet and said to apply thru the AMA but they are closed right now till further notice.
Can you please advise on how to apply for that plan .
Thanks
Harold Shade.
Email : Shade.h@telus.net
Hello Harold, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/seniors-health-benefits.aspx for more information or contact Alberta Health Services directly at 780-427-1432. Thank you
if one is in a long term care center is there any benefit to having a seniors plan? What would it cover that isn’t covered by the facility?
WHERE ARE THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS?
Hi Ann, we’d be happy to answer whatever questions you’re referring to. Please feel free to share here or give our team a call directly at 1-800-394-1965. Thank you!
Hi Valerie, we’re sorry for the late response! To help answer your question we’ll need a few more details. If you’re still interested please contact our team 1-800-394-1965 and we can discuss the coverage options available.
Is the any coverage for someone that will be placed in long term care
Hi Mike, thank you for reaching out! Our team will connect with you directly to assist in finding a coverage that best meets your needs.
Hello
My husband will be retiring august 1 2020. We would like him to be on my blue cross. He is also turning 65 July 26 2020. Can u help me with this please.
Respectfully
Hi Patricia, we apologize for the delay in getting to your comment! If you’re still looking to add your husband and have questions please give our team a call at 1-800-394-1965. Thank you!
Good morning
I was looking at the last email sent out and found there was comments about help setting out a workout program and some kind of competitions for wellness. Can’t find it anywhere on the site.
Please help
Al Gamble
Hi Al,
Have you signed up for our member site yet?
If you have, sign in and you will be able to access our Balance wellness program where you can set wellness goals and earn points for a chance to win prizes.
Hi,
The download for the forms to apply for Seniors Coverage keep giving an error message. How can I have the form mailed to me?
Hi Charlane, the seniors coverage form is administered through Alberta Health. Please contact the AHCIP office (linked in this blog) for assistance. Thank you!
i am 67 and still working my partner is 63 is he still covered under my plan
Hi Debra, please contact Alberta health at: https://www.alberta.ca/ahcip-contact.aspx for more information on your coverage.
how do i get a form to fill out for my wifes glasses ,i need a letter for global saying how much if any blue cross covers
Hello Nils, we recommend submitting your claims online (its a much faster turnaround) and you will be able to see what coverage is available there as well. To do so, visit members.ab.bluecross.ca and sign in or register. Then follow the prompts to submit your claims. If you have any questions along the way please give us a call at 1-800-661-6995.
I am 71 years old, still working and have a bit of a medical plan at work which I pay in to that pays 70% of my prescriptions, but if I’m covered as a senior by Blue Cross also, why is it I pay an amount every time I get a prescription filled?
Hi James, we’ve sent you an email to chat further with you about your comment. Thanks!
Good afternoon,
This is to verify about the Alberta Blue Cross identification card. I have applied for it at the Registry about almost 4 weeks now and I haven’t receive until now. Please let me know if you receive the application or not.
Thank you.
Hi Dolores, we’ve sent you an email directly 🙂 thanks!
I will soon turn 65 and recently I received a notice of termination of my individual Health plan, Blue Choice Plan B2. The letter refereed to the “enclosed brochure” called Coverage for Seniors. it was not enclosed in the envelope. I have been searching for it online here and can not find it. Would you please send me the brochure or inform me of its whereabouts on your site.
Thank you.
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, we apologize that this information wasn’t included and will have someone contact you directly to provide you with this information and talk to you about coverage options. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Hello, Could you please let me know if Blue Cross provides medical travel insurance for seniors over 65 years old.
Hi Mila, we provide quality medical coverage for seniors and have single-trip coverage options for adults over 60 years old. However, please note that we’ve currently paused the sale of all travel coverage in support of the federal and provincial governments advising against non-essential travel. Once these travel advisories have been lifted, please give us a call to learn more about your coverage options and to purchase.
My husband will be 65 this year. I will be 59 soon. I am covered by his work group insurance. What will happen when he applies for seniors free health coverage?
Hi Maryse, the free Coverage for Seniors program only covers members, not dependents. You can ensure you still have coverage by signing up for for an individual plan through our website.
My husband just turned 65 and received his Blue Cross card. He also has coverage through my work plan. I am assuming the charges first go to Blue Cross and then to my benefits plan. He just had some prescriptions filled. He had to pay out of pocket. Whenever I get a prescription filled, I never have to pay anything (I am 66). Why is he paying and I am not?
Hi Esther,
We need to get a little more information to look into this for you. Please check your email and reply 🙂
I cannot believe the only answers to these vital and universal questions result in “contact us, as opposed to a reply with the basic info requested and an OFFER of followup. Thousands of folks could have the answers at their fingertips!! Blue Cross could save hundreds of manhours! This leads me to believe this site is to solicit older folks into BUYING your coverage, not actually just getting straight forward answers. Shame!
Hi Jane, oftentimes the questions we receive on the blog require more information such as plan information and personal information. Because of privacy concerns, we cannot post that information on this public forum and so we ask commenters to reach out directly whenever possible so that we can help them more in depth offline. If you have a specific question about this blog or the program please let us know or visit: https://www.alberta.ca/seniors-health-benefits.aspx. Thank you!
Jane, as I was reading through these questions and non-answers from Blue Cross I felt exactly the same as you. What is an ideal opportunity is completely lost by Blue Cross. The months late responses to many is unacceptable and tells why I do not recommend Blue Cross to my senior networks. Thank you for articulating the issue so well; it deserved a better response.
Hi Wendy,
Often times, we require further information from an individual to answer their questions (including plan information and ID number) as this is a public forum, we ask that these conversations are taken offline to ensure we protect everyone’s privacy. We are happy to answer any questions you have; please feel free to email us at connect@ab.bluecross.ca.
Pls, it’s there any coverage for whom Dr place on longer term care
Hi Gbemi,
We’d be happy to look into this for your. We’ll need some personal and private information, such as your ID number so we’ll reach out via email.
I am 72 and plan to go casual from my job this summer. I work for AHS.
Is there any free senior health care coverage plan that I should apply for that covers Dental –
Prescriptions- eye wear- chiropractor and massages ?
Please reply.
Hi Audrey, the coverage for seniors program may apply to you. You can visit https://www.alberta.ca/seniors-health-benefits.aspx to learn more.
I am an 80-year-old senior and l need to have upper and lower dentures and including some extraction of teeth and molders, I went to a dental clinic in Ford Saskatchewan, and was given a cost which was $1500 dollars over the schedule, that was just for dentures on top of this I would have to pay also, I assume an extra for extraction maybe another $1000 on top of my coverage which will amount to about $2500 to $3000 dollars on top of the established fees by Blue Cross Mu pension of $1700 is insufficient to cover the cost. Can Blue cross provide a list of dentists that are charging Blue Cr fees and not the ridiculous fees that I have to pay them on top of the fees for which I am covered? Just for example, I paid 350 dollars for one hour of consultations, absurd!!!!
Hello John, thank you for reaching out. You can visit this webpage for more information on the dental fee guides and procedures. https://www.ab.bluecross.ca/member/benefits/dental.php#dentalLandscape. We also recommend contacting our benefit specialist team directly who can also walk you through some options for helping reduce costs at 1-800-661-6995.
Hello
I and my husband just turned 65 but not apply the blue cross coverage and not registered yet, because we both get the insurance plan from my husband’s work, Sunlife insurance.
Recently Sunlife does not cover our prescription drugs and sent us a mail our primary coverage plan for prescription drug is Alberta Blue Cross and one special prescription called Viread needs a form filled up by my hepatologist too.
We don’t know what to start doing .
Could you please help me.
Thank you
Hello Pyone, when Alberta Health records indicate an Albertan will be turning 65, a package is mailed to the address on their AHCIP file providing information about programs and services for seniors. This package will include a letter asking you to submit proof-of-age documents if required to receive benefits. If you did not receive the package, or have further questions, please contact Alberta Health directly by visiting https://www.alberta.ca/ahcip-contact.aspx
Does seniors get and coverage for CPAP equipment?
Hi Willie, please give our team a call and we can confirm your coverage for you at 1-800-661-6995
I am 67 what health plan covers Ensure
Hi David, our team can help suggest some options for you. Please give us a call at 1-800-394-1965. Thanks!
Hello
I recently received a letter from ABC indicating my travel & Final expense benefits will terminate when I turn 65 in July 2023. I currently have a Blue Assured benefit package. Do my premiums for this go down or Should I be switching to Group 66 plan.
Thanks Linda for your comment, please contact our customer services team directly with this question. You can reach us at 1-800-661-6995
Talked to a rep at Blue Cross she said new coverage for air boot up to 175.$ she sent me forms , I submitted the coverage was refused!!
Thanks Don for your comment, please contact our customer services team directly for help with this issue. You can reach us at 1-800-661-6995