health premiums in Alberta

[tanus]

I am having BC care card and planning to move to Alberta soon. Currently, I am paying health premiums as we are 3 family members.
Would like to know health premiums in Alberta. I heard from someone that there is no premiums as Alberta Govt offers free health care and if I am moving from a province or country, I have to wait 3 months as a waiting period. Is it true?
Please clear my doubts as I will appreciate your reply.

Thanks

 

[Leon]

I think BC is the only province now that still charges monthly premiums. If you are moving to AB from another province in Canada, you have to wait 2 months and the balance of the 3rd to get health care. Say if you move today, you would get health care on Sept. 1st or if you move on any day in July, you would get it on Oct. 1st. Until then, you can use your BC health card which I suppose means you still have to pay premiums to MSP. You are supposed to tell MSP if you move so I think you should discuss it with them.

AB does not charge health care premiums.

 

[tanus]

Thanks Leon.
You have great knowledge as I observed.
Can you send me link or URL because I have searched Alberta Government website but unable to find any news regarding health premiums or how it works in Alberta. will appreciate your reply.

 

[Leon]

No wonder you can not find anything about health care premiums on AB gov. website because there aren't any premiums any more

They used to have premiums. Here is the news story from when they abolished them: http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=63835597-76da-4add-9d3e-c10510258254&k=79625 in January 2009 and from 2011 they are saying they are not planning on bringing them back: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/11/23/alberta-health-care-premiums_n_1111127.html

Here is how to register: http://www.health.alberta.ca/newsroom/Q-how-to-register.html

 

[tanus]

Thanks Leon.