Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
Updated: December 17, 2021
On March 11 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the COVID-19 outbreak is a pandemic.
We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates as we become aware of any changes that may impact you and access to your benefits.
Alberta Blue Cross® supports the Government of Alberta in implementing public health measures to protect our health care system and slow the spread of COVID-19, and we strongly encourage all Albertans to follow all public health measures.
For information on travel-related restrictions and coverage, please click here.
Our offices remain closed to walk-in traffic in consideration of the COVID-19 situation and in the interest of protecting our customers and team members. Customer Services contact centre remains open to serve your needs, and customers can continue to reach us either by phone at 1-800-661-6995 or contact us through our website.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the Government of Canada's website.
More information about COVID-19 is available online from Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services.
COVID-19 testing coverage eligibility
As of September 16, 2021, new measures were implemented by the Alberta Government to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, increase the vaccination rates and protect the health care system. The implementation of the Restrictions Exemption Program requires Albertans to provide proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test results to access business entities or events.
Recognizing many of our plan members may need to access private COVID-19 testing and with our commitment to support the health of our plan members and their dependents, effective immediately, COVID-19 testing has been included as an eligible benefit under plans with Health Spending Accounts or Wellness Spending Accounts. This includes the following:
- Travel related tests (molecular tests, such as molecular Polymerase Chain Reaction or Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification)
- Non-travel related tests.
- Rapid testing kits.
Coverage under the Health Spending Account will require a prescription in light of the rules governing the CRA's Medical Expense Tax Credits. A prescription can be from a medical doctor, pharmacist, nurse or a dentist. Cost of COVID-19 tests are not eligible under the Extended Health Care or Travel plan.
Emerging fraud scams related to COVID-19
We strongly encourage taking precautions to protect yourself from fraud by being aware of the types of fraud we’ve seen specifically around the topic of COVID-19.