Question

Gurmeet, who arrived from another province to your province/territory two months ago, has two part-time jobs and is supporting his wife and three children. He has not applied for health insurance, not knowing how to do so or where to go. His combined salaries would give him about $24,000 a year. One child, aged 6, is diabetic, the other, aged 12, is asthmatic, and his wife is six months pregnant. He cannot afford to pay for the medications. He doesn’t know where to turn for help. He has paid cash for services at your office (family medicine). You suspect his wife has used his sister’s health card for prenatal checkups at a walk-in clinic. Describe the steps you would take in this situation. Include corrective measures, such as helping Gurmeet access your provincial/territorial health plan. Review the drug benefits in your jurisdiction and identify which plan would best suit his needs. List the necessary steps Gurmeet would have to follow to register. You can start by looking at the website located at the following link: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/delivery-prestation/ptrole/index-eng.php#card. (Province of Alberta)

Answer 1

This involves identifying and verifying the identity of both the client and also certain third parties associated with the client. Identification refers to the basic information that you need to get about your client and third party to know who they are whenever you are retained, such as their name and address.

Step 1 – Identify the Client And Certain Third Parties

When you are retained to provide legal services, you must identify your client and any third party for whom your client acts or represents unlessyou are employed and are providing the legal services to your employer;

Step 2 – Verify the Identity of the Client and Certain Third Parties

Furthermore, if you act for or give instructions on behalf of a client regarding the receiving, paying or transferring of funds you must also take reasonable steps to verify the identity of that client and any third party for whom the client acts or represents unless an exception applies.

Step 3 – Retain Records
You must retain a record of the information that you obtain and copies of the documents you receive to identify and verify the identity of an individual or organization including attestations and agreements with agents

Tell gurmeet about the provincial health plan. The provinces and territories administer and deliver most of Canada's health care services, with all provincial and territorial health insurance plans expected to meet national principles set out under the Canada Health Act. Each provincial and territorial health insurance plan covers medically necessary hospital and doctors' services that are provided on a pre-paid basis, without direct charges at the point of service. The provincial and territorial governments fund these services with assistance from federal cash and tax transfers.

How gurmeet can apply for provincial health card:-

Step 1: Complete the application form

Download the application form for AHCIP coverage (PDF, 200 KB).

For Canadian children of non-eligible parents

Application form for AHCIP Coverage: Canadian Children of Non-Eligible Parents (PDF, 169 KB).

Step 2. Gather your supporting documents

When you apply for AHCIP coverage, you must provide supporting documents that prove:

Alberta residency
identity
legal entitlement to be in Canada

Alberta residency documents include:
Alberta driver’s licensebills such as utilities and phone
bills
mortgage or rental agreement
home insurance
vehicle registration

Identity documents include:
Canadian passport
Permanent resident card (both sides)
First Nations/Inuit/Métis card (both sides)
Alberta driver’s license
Alberta registries ID card
Canadian citizenship card

Legal entitlement to be in Canada documents include:
Canadian passport
Permanent resident card (both sides)
First Nations/Inuit/Métis card (both sides)
Canadian birth certificate
Canada entry document (both sides)
Canadian citizenship card or certificate (both sides)

If these supporting documents are not provided, your application cannot be processed.

Additional supporting documents may be requested to confirm AHCIP eligibility.

Step 3: Submit the applicationIn person

Bring the completed application form and your original documents to an authorized registry agent. There is no charge for this service.

Processing time can take up to 5 days. Cards are mailed from the AHCIP office.

By mail

Send your completed application form and photocopies of your supporting documents to the AHCIP office:

Alberta Health
Attention: Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan
PO Box 1360, Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2N3

Include photocopies of supporting documents with your application. Photocopies must include front and back of the document, if applicable. Do not send original documents in the mail.

Processing time can take up to 6 weeks.

All cards are mailed directly to you from the AHCIP office.