The question of whether you have to pay for hospital care in Edmonton is one of the most important questions for people who have just arrived in Canada or are experiencing a medical crisis. Unlike many other countries around the world, where hospital treatment can cost thousands of dollars, the Canadian healthcare system, including Alberta, provides free treatment for most residents. However, understanding what is covered and what requires additional payment can be a complex process.
Alberta has a comprehensive healthcare system run by Alberta Health Services (AHS), which is funded by the provincial government and provides medical care through the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). This system ensures that all eligible residents have access to basic medical services without direct payment at the time of service. However, certain circumstances can lead to significant costs that you need to understand to avoid unpleasant surprises.
This article will provide a detailed guide to the costs of staying in a hospital in Edmonton, including information on what is covered by AHCIP, which services require additional payment, what costs to expect for private rooms, how costs are calculated for foreigners and tourists, and what assistance options are available for people with low incomes.
Understanding the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
What is AHCIP and who is eligible
AHCIP is a provincial health insurance plan funded by the Alberta government that provides Alberta residents with free access to medically necessary treatment and care. The plan was developed in accordance with the Canada Health Act, which ensures that all Canadians have equal access to essential health care services, regardless of their income.
Eligible Alberta residents who are registered with AHCIP receive full coverage for medically necessary doctor services and some dental and oral surgery services. To be an eligible Alberta resident for AHCIP, you must:
- be legally admitted to live and remain in Canada and make Alberta your permanent home
- be physically present in Alberta for at least 183 days in any 12-month period
- not claim residency or benefits based on a claim of residency in another province, territory, or country
- be any other person recognized by the regulations as a resident or temporary resident, but not a tourist, person in transit, or visitor to Alberta
What AHCIP covers for hospital
When you are in the hospital as a qualified resident of Alberta with a valid AHCIP card, the plan covers a significant portion of the costs:
Covered hospital services include:
- Medically necessary nursing services
- Medically necessary laboratory, X-ray, and diagnostic procedures
- Standard room and board
- Medications administered in the hospital
- Use of operating room, treatment room, radiotherapy, physiotherapy, and anesthesiology facilities
- Routine surgical equipment and supplies
- Inter-facility transfers within Alberta by ambulance
This means that if you are admitted to a public hospital in Edmonton and have a valid AHCIP card, you will not pay for basic medical services, nursing care, meals, or accommodation in a standard ward (multiple beds, shared bathroom).
Hospital services NOT covered by AHCIP
Although AHCIP covers basic hospital services, some services require additional payment:
Services NOT covered by AHCIP:
- Private and semi-private rooms (unless medically necessary)
- Ambulance services (except for transfers between facilities)
- Anesthesiology fees for services not covered by AHCIP
- Exclusions for dental services
- Experimental procedures or procedures undergoing clinical trials
- Hearing aids, medical and surgical devices, prosthetics, materials, mobility devices, and other products
Among these services, the one that most often attracts patients is the request for a private or semi-private room instead of a standard, shared room.
Cost of private and semi-private rooms in a hospital
General information about room sizes
When you are admitted to a hospital in Alberta, you are assigned to a room based on availability and medical needs. Hospital rooms are classified by type of accommodation:
Standard (shared) room: A standard room accommodates three or more patients and has a shared bathroom. AHCIP covers the full cost of a standard room.
Semi-private room: A semi-private room accommodates two patients and has a shared bathroom for two patients. If you request a transfer to a semi-private room, you will have to pay an additional fee.
Private room: A private room accommodates one patient and has a private bathroom. If you request a transfer to a private room, you will be required to pay an additional fee.
Cost of private and semi-private rooms in Alberta
The cost of private and semi-private rooms in Alberta varies depending on the province and facility. Some estimates from health certificates in other Canadian provinces show the following daily rates:
- Private room: $210 to $350 per day
- Semi-private room: $170 to $300 per day
In Alberta, the cost of private and semi-private rooms is not widely published in official sources, but it likely varies within similar ranges. If you request a private room during hospitalization, the hospital administration will provide you with a cost estimate before you agree to the transfer.
When a private room is medically necessary
It is important to understand that if your doctor considers a private room to be medically necessary for your treatment, you will not pay any additional amount, as AHCIP will cover it. For example, if you have an immune system that is weakened due to medical conditions, or if you need to be isolated due to an infectious disease, you may be offered a private room at no additional cost.
These costs are calculated during your hospital stay
If you request a private or semi-private room, you will be billed for each day you stay in a room beyond the standard room. For example, if you stay in a private room for five days and the daily charge is $250, you will be responsible for $1,250 for your private room stay, in addition to the services covered by AHCIP.
However, it is important to note that if the hospital assigns you to a semi-private or private room due to a lack of availability in a standard room (not because of your request), you will not normally be billed for the additional room size.
Ambulance costs
Ambulance coverage in Alberta
One important expense that often surprises people is the cost of an ambulance. Unlike inpatient care, ambulances in Alberta are NOT fully covered by AHCIP if you call one yourself. However, if a doctor or hospital calls an ambulance to transport you to another medical facility, you will not be charged.
Ambulance fees in Alberta
As of December 2025, ambulance fees in Alberta are:
- $250 if you are not transported (e.g., a paramedic assesses you but you remain at home)
- $385 if you are transported to a hospital or medical facility
In addition, if you are not a resident of Alberta (for example, you are a tourist or temporarily staying in the province), you will be charged an additional $200.
Exemption from ambulance fees
Certain categories of people are exempt from ambulance fees in Alberta:
People aged 65 and older: Seniors enrolled in the Coverage for Seniors program do not receive a bill for ambulance services—the Alberta government pays the full cost.
People with low incomes: People who receive assistance through Income Support, Adult Health Benefits, or Alberta Child Health Benefits are exempt from ambulance fees.
Pioneers: People living on Pioneer lands are covered through Health Canada, which pays for ambulance services.
Inter-facility transfers: If a doctor or hospital calls an ambulance to transfer you from one medical facility to another, you will not be charged.
How to get help with ambulance fees
If you don't qualify for an exemption and are having trouble paying for an ambulance, you can contact AHS with your bill and request a payment plan that works for you. AHS often allows installment payments for people with limited finances.
Hospital stay costs for people waiting for a spot in a long-term care facility
What is Alternate Level of Care (ALC)
One of the least known and most controversial costs in the Alberta health care system is the so-called Alternate Level of Care (ALC) placement. ALC occurs when a patient no longer needs acute hospital care (e.g., after surgery, illness) but still needs ongoing medical care and accommodation.
However, instead of being transferred to a long-term care or designated supportive living facility, the patient remains in a hospital bed due to a lack of available beds in long-term care hospitals. This creates a problem in the healthcare system as acute beds become congested while sick people who need urgent care wait for a bed in the emergency department.
ALC Accommodation Charge
To encourage patients and their families to move to a long-term care facility more quickly, the Alberta government has established a utility fee called the ALC Accommodation Charge. This charge is a daily fee that patients awaiting transfer to a Type A or Type B long-term care facility must pay for staying in the hospital.
The current rate for the ALC Accommodation Charge in Alberta is:
- $67.30 per day for a shared room
- $77.80 per day for a private room
This fee was introduced in 2015 and has been steadily increasing. For example, between 2019 and 2023, the fee increased by 12% from $55 to $61.65 per day.
Impact of the ALC Accommodation Charge on patients
Although these fees may seem small at first glance, they can quickly add up for patients waiting for a place in a long-term care facility. In the five years from 2015 to 2020, nearly 23,800 patients remained in hospital under ALC status. In 2019-2020, approximately 4,100 patients paid ALC fees, totaling approximately $5.5 million. In recent years, the number of patients in ALC status has increased, and in 2024, AHS collected nearly $7.7 million from more than 5,500 patients.
For a low-income person waiting for a place in a long-term care facility, this daily fee can create significant financial hardship.
Exemptions and assistance with the ALC Accommodation Charge
It is important to note that the ALC Accommodation Charge does not apply if the transfer to a long-term care facility is for palliative (end-of-life) care. In addition, people with low incomes may qualify for full or partial forgiveness of this charge.
People who are eligible for assistance include those who:
- Qualify for the Alberta Seniors Benefit
- Are clients of the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program
For these groups, the Alberta government ensures that individuals will have at least $365 per month available for personal expenses after paying their accommodation fee.
Cost of treatment for foreigners, tourists, and temporary residents
Cost for individuals without AHCIP coverage
People who come to Edmonton or Alberta without qualifying status for AHCIP must pay the full cost of their hospital treatment. This includes tourists, visitors, people who are temporarily in the province without qualifying work or study permits, and people from other countries who do not meet the AHCIP criteria.
Hospitalization costs for foreigners and tourists
Unfortunately, information on exact rates for foreigners and tourists in Alberta hospitals is not always available from official sources, but based on data from other Canadian provinces and global trends, the following costs can be expected:
- Emergency care (emergency care without hospitalization): $700 - $1,000
- Daily hospital bed (ward): $3,000 - $4,000 per day
- Intensive care (ICU): $8,000 - $15,000 per day
In addition, as Alberta transitioned to more province-specific rates for out-of-province and out-of-country patients in 2021-22, these figures may be higher.
Example of cost calculation for a tourist
To better understand the potential costs, consider the following example:
A tourist from outside Canada is hospitalized in Edmonton for emergency appendicitis and requires surgery. He needs to be hospitalized for three days, including surgery, room and board, and treatment. The potential costs could be:
- Emergency care and initial examination: $1,000
- Surgery and anesthesiology care: $5,000 - $10,000
- Daily room and board (3 days): $3,000 - $4,000 x 3 = $9,000 - $12,000
- Diagnostic tests (ultrasound, X-ray, lab tests): $2,000
- Medications and supplies: $1,000 - $2,000
Total: $18,000 - $25,000 CA
These are very significant expenses that could be a devastating blow to a tourist without proper insurance.
Insurance for tourists and international students
Tourists and visitors
Tourists planning to visit Canada are advised to have travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of $100,000 for unforeseen medical expenses. Travel medical insurance typically covers:
- Emergency hospitalization
- Urgent hospital services
- Evacuation to another hospital
- Return to the country of origin for additional treatment
Without such insurance, tourists will bear the full cost of their medical services.
International students
International students studying in Alberta are in a slightly better situation than tourists. Students who have a valid Study Permit and plan to stay in Alberta for at least 12 months may be eligible for AHCIP coverage:
Students with a 12-month study permit for an Alberta educational institution and who plan to stay in Alberta for 12 months or longer are eligible for AHCIP coverage.
Students with a study permit for more than 3 months but less than 12 months may be eligible for AHCIP coverage if their application is accompanied by a letter from their school confirming that the student intends to stay in Alberta for at least 12 months.
If international students do not qualify for AHCIP, they must have private health insurance, which is often offered by their school as part of the requirements for study.
Temporary workers and people on work permits
People who come to Alberta to work on a temporary basis may be eligible for AHCIP coverage depending on the length and type of their work permit:
Temporary workers with a work permit of at least 6 months may qualify for AHCIP if they establish residency in Alberta and plan to stay for at least 12 months.
These individuals must apply for AHCIP immediately upon arrival in Alberta.
Financial assistance for people with low incomes
Financial assistance programs in Alberta
For Alberta residents who qualify for AHCIP but have difficulty paying for additional medical expenses (such as private rooms, ambulances, ALC Accommodation Charge), there are financial assistance programs available:
Alberta Seniors Benefit: People aged 65 and older may qualify for this program, which provides subsidies to help with accommodation and other expenses.
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH): People with severe disabilities may receive funds to help with medical expenses.
Adult Health Benefits: People with low incomes who are pregnant or have high ongoing medication needs can get help with medical expenses, including ambulance services.
Alberta Child Health Benefits: Children from low-income families can get help with medical expenses.
Requesting help with paying bills
If you have received a bill for medical services that you are having difficulty paying, you can contact the hospital or AHS and request financial assistance. Hospitals often have financial assistance departments that can:
- Review your financial situation
- Develop a payment plan that works for you
- Offer partial or full forgiveness of fees under certain circumstances
- Help you qualify for government assistance programs
What to do if you receive a bill from a hospital
Reviewing your bill
If you receive a bill from a hospital for services that you believe should be covered, the first thing you should do is carefully review the bill. Make sure that:
- The dates and services on the bill match your hospital stay
- You have not been billed twice for the same services
- You have not been charged for services you did not receive
- Your AHCIP card was active at the time the services were provided
Appealing a bill
If you believe the bill is incorrect or that you should not have been charged for a service, you can appeal it:
Contact the hospital: Contact the hospital's billing or finance department and explain why you believe the bill is incorrect.
Signature of agreement: If you requested a semi-private or private room, make sure you signed a document agreeing to pay extra before being transferred to the room.
Insurance verification: If you have private health insurance, contact your insurance company to verify whether the bill is covered.
Contacting AHCIP
If you believe you should have been covered by AHCIP at the time of service but received a bill, contact AHCIP directly:
Phone: 780-427-1432
AHCIP can review your case, verify that you were actively covered at the time of service, and file an appeal on your behalf if necessary.
Conclusions about the cost of staying in a hospital in Edmonton
The answer to the question “Do I have to pay for hospital stays in Edmonton?” depends on your status and circumstances. For eligible Alberta residents with a valid AHCIP card, basic inpatient care, including accommodation in a standard room, meals, treatment, and nursing services, is FREE.
However, some services are not covered by AHCIP and require additional payment. This includes private and semi-private rooms, ambulance services (if you called them yourself), and, in certain circumstances, the ALC Accommodation Charge for people waiting for a place in a long-term care facility.
For tourists, visitors, and foreigners without AHCIP coverage, hospitalization costs can be very significant—ranging from $18,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the severity of the condition and the type of treatment required.
If you have questions about the cost of treatment or if you receive a bill that you believe is incorrect, be sure to contact the hospital or AHCIP for clarification. Financial assistance programs are available for people with low incomes, and hospitals often have departments that can help you develop a payment plan that works for you. It is important to understand your financial responsibility before you need hospitalization to avoid potential financial crises in the event of a medical emergency.