Our Conversation With MLA Brooks Arcand Paul

Our Conversation With Our MLAs

On Thursday, September 12, 2024, we held an event as part of our Active Aging Series called A Conversation With Community Leaders. We were joined by City Councillor Andrew Knack, MLA Brooks Arcand Paul, and WSAC Executive Director Dr. Haidong Liang, who shared some fantastic information with our members.

Seniors Benefits For Seniors – Presented by Brooks Arcand Paul

During his presentation, Brooks shared information on some of the Government of Alberta programs for seniors.  It was a fantastic presentation outlining the different benefits, what was covered, not covered and how to access more information about these programs.

Prescription Drugs

Brooks then outlined the benefits of the Alberta Blue Cross plan.  We learned

• prescription drugs listed in the Alberta Drug Benefit List are covered.
• The co-payment is 30% to a maximum of $25.
• A co-payment is the portion of the prescription cost you pay to your pharmacy when you have your prescription filled.
• For most prescriptions, you will not pay more than $25 for each prescription.
• CLICK HERE to view the prescription drugs covered under the Alberta Drug Benefit List.

As your pharmacist

You might have to pay more than the $25 co-payment maximum:

• If your drug is not listed in the Alberta Drug Benefit List, or
• If you want a more expensive brand of drug than the least cost alternative or generic product, or
• If the brand of drug you want costs more than the maximum cost set by the Alberta government for that drug.

To avoid surprises, he suggested that we ask our pharmacist about the cost of our prescription before it is filled.

Dental Coverage for Seniors

• Eligible seniors are provided up to a maximum of $5,000 of coverage every 5 years for select dental services and procedures
• The 5-year period will begin on the date of your first dental service is funded under this program.
• If you do not use the full $5,000, the remaining amount will not carry over into the next 5-year period.
• Coverage may not cover the full fees charged by Alberta dental providers.

CLICK HERE to view the Dental Assistance for Seniors Program Fee Schedule, which establishes both the maximum fee amount and frequency of coverage for eligible services.

Eligible Dental Services

Basic dental services covered under this program include:

• diagnostic services (examinations and x-rays)
• preventive services (polishing and scaling)
• restorative services (fillings, trauma, pain control)
• extractions (simple and complicated)
• root canals (endodontics)
• procedures relating to gum disease (periodontics, root planing)
• dentures (removable prosthodontics, basic full and partial dentures)

Non-eligible Dental Services

Dental services and procedures not found in the fee schedule and not covered under this program include:

• dental crowns
• fixed dental bridges
• braces and orthodontics
• dental implants
• fluoride treatment
• teeth bleaching and cosmetic procedures
• inlays (gold or gems)

Optical assistance

• Eligible seniors are provided up to a maximum of $230 every 3 years toward the purchase of prescription eyeglasses.
• The 3-year period of coverage will begin on the date that you receive the first funded optical service under this program.
• If you do not use the full funding in this time period, the remaining amount will not carry over into the next 3-year period

Eligible Optical Services

• prescription eyeglasses
• prescription sunglasses
• prescription lenses (including contact lenses)
• frames
• eyeglass repairs

Non-Eligible Optical Services 

Optical services not covered include:

• eye exams
• eye surgery
• lenses for cataract surgery
• accessories
• magnifying devices
• eye medication
• non-prescription sunglasses

Special Needs Assistance for Seniors

• In general, a single senior with a total annual income of $33,410 or less, or a senior couple with a total combined annual income of $54,640 or less, may be eligible to receive assistance.
• The maximum assistance available in a benefit year is $5,643. The amount you may be eligible to receive is determined by
  • your accommodation category
  • your marital status
  • your combined income with your spouse/partner’s income

Eligible Services

Special Needs Assistance for Seniors considers specific items that fall into one of the following 3 categories:

• health supports
• personal supports
• appliances or furniture
• Your income level determines whether you are eligible for primary or secondary items.

Note: A receipt or estimate of costs is required for all requests, unless otherwise indicated.

Examples of Support Services

• Diabetes supplies
• Personal supports
• Nutritional Beverages
• Podiatry
• Prescription Costs
• Home Clean-up Services
• Respite Care
• Clothing/Wigs

NEED ASSISTANCE.