Health Benefits: Qualifying Income Levels Ministerial Order sets out the maximum qualifying income levels for determining financial eligibility for health benefits at application or annual renewal.

The general policy on health benefits and coverage applies to the Alberta Adult Health Benefit (AAHB) program. AAHB recipients receive a Health Benefits Card (HBC) that provides coverage for themselves, their spouse or partner, children under 18 years of age, and 18 or 19 year old dependants attending high school.  This includes households in sub-type 79.

Pregnant women receive coverage for themselves and their children under 18 years old, and 18 or 19 year old dependants attending high school.  Spouses do not receive coverage.

The following health benefits are covered through the use of the HBC:

• prescription drugs, over the counter drugs and nutritional products listed on the Interactive Drug Benefit List.
  
• essential diabetic supplies
  
• emergency ambulance to a medical facility

• optical coverage including adult eye exams once every 2 years

• dental coverage

The dental, denturist, hygienist, optical and optician agreements can be accessed on the ministry intranet.

Alberta Aids to Daily Living supplies are provided to AAHB clients without a co-pay requirement when AAHB clients present their HBC.

Note
Other health related benefits that may be provided to Income Support recipients, such as special diets, medical and surgical supplies, andCPAP devices are not covered under the AAHB program.

Duration of AAHB Coverage for Sub-Types 72 to 77, and Sub-Type 79 

The benefit period commences on July 1^st and ends on June 30^th of the following year. Coverage commences the day following assignment of the household unit to an AAHB sub-type. There is no retroactive coverage unless approved by the worksite supervisor, an appeal panel or the Health Benefits Exception Committee. Household units receive AAHB coverage until the end of the benefit period, unless there is reason for early termination.

Clients who begin receiving the AAHB on or after May 1^st will be provided with the benefit until June 30^th of the next year, and then will be subject to the renewal process.

Financial eligibility as per qualifying income levels prescribed in regulations, and continued compliance with the Additional Eligibility Criteria is required for continuation of AAHB coverage into the next benefit period.

Duration of AAHB Coverage for Sub-Type 78

Coverage for pregnancy commences the day following assignment of the household unit to AAHB sub-type 78, and continues until the end of the month of the expected delivery date.

Clients who receive AAHB in this category are not eligible for renewal. However, if they or a member of their household has an ongoing need for prescription drugs or diabetic supplies, they can request at any time to be re-assessed for eligibility in AAHB sub-type 79 High Drug Needs.