The Alberta Teachers’ Association

The end of the school year is almost upon us, and with it comes the promise of summer vacation at home or abroad. Teachers and their dependents who are covered members under the Extended Health Care Plan through the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP) have access to out-of-province coverage and out-of-country emergency travel benefits while travelling. 

Out-of-province coverage

ASEBP coverage reimburses expenses incurred for both emergency and non-emergency treatment out of province but within Canada. Expenses will be covered by ASEBP if Alberta Health Care sanctions the treatment as qualifying for reimbursement under the provincial plan. ASEBP will provide coverage to its plan maximums once the coverage limits of the Alberta Government Health Care Plan are reached. When submitting claims to ASEBP, teachers must provide documentation from Alberta Health Care outlining the monies already paid on the covered member’s behalf, as well as a receipt for services received. If teachers are planning to receive specialized treatment out of province, they should contact ASEBP prior to engaging in the treatment to ensure they are covered.

Out-of-country coverage

Teachers and their dependents also have access to out-of-country emergency travel benefits. As with out-of-province coverage benefits, ASEBP will pay expenses to its plan maximums for emergency services only once the coverage limits of the Alberta Government Health Care plan are reached. Teachers are advised to carry their ASEBP ID card and call the travel assistance service medical advisor (the number is listed at the back of the ID card). The advisor will explain which services are covered by ASEBP and, if necessary, the advisor will guarantee the payment to the appropriate health service providers. Contact with the travel assistance medical advisor within 24 hours of the emergency is necessary; otherwise, delays in processing the claim could occur. Finally, covered members will need to provide ASEBP with detailed receipts that include their provincial health care number, the diagnosis and a detailed list of services received, ASEBP ID number and a completed emergency out-of-country form. Further, covered members must be aware that if they travel to a country, region or city for which a formal travel advisory is in effect or if their doctor advises them not to travel, benefit coverage will not be guaranteed. 

Teachers on probationary, temporary or interim contracts of employment should be aware that benefits’ coverage, including travel coverage, under employee benefits plans typically ends with the date that their contract ends.

Teachers planning to travel out-of-province or out-of-country are encouraged to contact an ASEBP benefits specialist for more information prior to ­travelling.