Health Care

Under the Canada Health Act, all Albertans are guaranteed access to medically necessary health care.

All Alberta residents must pay a fee to the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan to access healthcare services. The basic rate for coverage is $44 per month for individuals, or $88 per month for families. For qualified applicants, premiums are reduced or waived according to their income.

An Alberta Health Care card gives you access to the public health care system including medical checkups and hospital visits. Private clinics exist, but are permitted to perform only elective services not included as part of the primary care available through our health care system.

The health care system in southeast Alberta and area is administered by Palliser Health, which operates public health clinics and hospitals in the region.

The Medicine Hat region is served by the Palliser Health Region, which provide acute care, continuing care and community health services. Medicine Hat has excellent health facilities, including the ultra-modern 325 bed Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Approximately 31 family physicians and 47 specialists are practising in Medicine Hat. Specialists and facilities in Calgary and Edmonton are also readily accessible by the Palliser Health Region.

A number of private and public nursing homes for the elderly and dependent are operational in the community.

Social services in Medicine Hat are provided through the Family and Social Services Department of the Provincial Government, the Social Work Department at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital and a number of voluntary agencies.

If you wish to obtain more information please call (403)528-5663.

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For more information:

• Alberta Health Care Insurance - Alberta’s Health and Wellness' page with information on Alberta’s health care system including the forms needed to get signed up.
• Alberta Health and Wellness - The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) is a publicly administered and funded health care system that guarantees Albertans receive universal access to medically necessary hospital and medical services. AHCIP forms, information on premium and drug assistance, answers to common questions and more are available.
• Palliser Health Region - A valuable resource, with comprehensive information about all of the health services available in Medicine Hat and the Palliser region.
• Health Canada - The Health Canada site focuses on providing immigrants with information about health care coverage. It also contains good links to other helpful information on employment, health promotion, and more.

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