Government health benefit programs

Palliative Coverage

Palliative Coverage is a program offered to Albertans who have been diagnosed as being palliative. Palliative refers to patients who have been diagnosed by a physician or nurse practitioner as being in the end stage of a terminal illness or disease. These Albertans are provided access to supplementary health benefits that provide coverage for health-related services not covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan.

This program is open to patients who remain in their home or in a hospice where access to publicly funded drugs, diabetic supplies and ambulance services are not included. The program excludes those patients whose residence provides publicly funded drugs, diabetic supplies and ambulance services; these residencies include long-term care facilities, acute care hospitals and psychiatric hospitals.

Some examples of coverage includes

  • prescription medications,
  • diabetic supplies,
  • ambulance services, and
  • and injectable medications for pain and other symptoms.

Not included are charges for infusion equipment and supplies, medications for palliative patients who reside in publicly funded facilities, long-term care facilities, acute care hospitals or psychiatric hospitals.

To learn more about palliative care health benefits, visit the Alberta Palliative Coverage Program page.

Enrolment

To enrol, the individual (with assistance from their guardian or health practitioner) can visit Alberta Health to download and complete the Palliative Coverage Program application form.

You can also get the application form from your physician or nurse practitioner, the palliative care program or home care offices in your area. The application form must be completed and signed by both the patient, or guardian and physician or nurse practitioner.

Alberta Health
Attn: Alberta Palliative Coverage Program
PO Box 1360 Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2N3

The physician or nurse practitioner will determine the effective date. This date must not be more than 30 days prior to the date Alberta Health receives the application. The coverage will continue if the patient is diagnosed as being palliative.

Policy decisions about eligibility and what products or services are covered are made by Alberta Health. Alberta Blue Cross® administers this program on behalf of Alberta Health.

How to receive benefits

After you have received a notification advising that you are accepted into the Palliative Coverage program, an Alberta Blue Cross® ID card issued in your name will be mailed to you.

Eligible prescription drugs and diabetic supplies can be obtained at your local pharmacy by showing your Alberta Blue Cross® ID card. Ambulance services can also be obtained by showing the Alberta Blue Cross® ID card to the ambulance service provider.

If you are covered by more than one supplementary health benefit plan, eligible expenses may be coordinated between plans to maximize your benefits.

To claim reimbursement for eligible benefits, submit your claim using the Alberta Blue Cross® claim form (PDF, 158 KB) also available at any Alberta Blue Cross® office, or your pharmacy .

To be eligible for reimbursement, claims must be received by Alberta Blue Cross® within 12 months of the service date.

Further information

Palliative care health benefits

Learn about the Palliative Coverage Program, who is eligible, what benefits are provided, and how to apply to receive benefits.

Palliative Coverage Drug Benefit List

Learn about the drug benefit list, what drugs are covered, drug price policy and drug review process.

Palliative care coverage application form

The application form must be completed and signed by both the patient, or guardian, and physician or nurse practitioner.