Negotiate immediate health care benefits into your job. Include
vision and dental care. Adult vision and dental care are not covered
by Alberta Health, and they are not covered by basic Blue Cross
benefits. A visit to the eye doctor's, for a checkup, costs between
$45.00 and $60.00 for one adult. I don't have current dental visit
costs. Alberta Health costs are paid for by each individual (or the "head"
of the family) and, if not paid, can result in refusal of treatment for
any condition not deemed "life-threatening". If moving from within Canada,
your current health care plan will cover you for one to three months; check
with the Alberta Government for more information
on Health Care premiums. Be sure to ask about Blue Cross coverage.
Minimum Blue Cross coverage, for a family (and a married couple is
considered a family) is $86.10 every 3 months, for those whose Alberta Health
Care premiums are subsidized (you may be eligible for a subsidy based on
calculations on family income - be sure to have your previous year's Income
Tax Assessment to prove income, which determines your eligibility). Minimum
Blue Cross coverage will pay for an ambulance ride (otherwise estimated at
a minimum of $200), the possibility of upgrading semi-private/private rooms
in hospital, and 70% drug-direct bill at select pharmacies. Additional coverage
is available, either through your employer or a single-party sale with Blue Cross.
You'll often have to wait a minimum of three to six months before being
eligible for health care coverage. While this may not be a huge worry for you
when you're out of work and needing income, keep this in mind during negotiations
or after you've been employed for some time. Ask about the benefits available
(keep in mind that most part-time jobs do not offer benefits at all) and make
sure you know when you should be eligible for benefits. If you don't receive
notice from your employer on or shortly after the date you believe you are
eligible for benefits, ask. If the employer isn't paying for health
care, or isn't deducting health care premiums from your paycheque (which is
often the case), you need to contact Alberta Health and arrange your
own coverage.
