Medical

All medical services in Canada are provided Provincially through the Public Sector. In Alberta, employees are automatically enrolled into Alberta Health Care (AHC). The Basic level of coverage (single person, family, etc.) is funded by variable deductions from salary. HR will provide pertinent details. The Calgary Regional Health Authority (CRHA) is the local administrator of this service. Uplift to the Basic coverage can be obtained by extra contributions at your own cost.

Canada's health system is very good despite cutbacks in recent years. While waiting lists for elective surgery and some kinds of tests may be long, all kinds of (excellent) care are available and most of it is covered totally by your Alberta Health Plan.

Family Doctors: To obtain a family doctor you can get a list of doctors in Family Practice who are taking new patients by calling the Calgary Health Link on 403-531-8080. Alternatively you can look in the yellow pages under Physicians and Surgeons, find a doctor in your neighborhood, and call to see if he/she is accepting new patients. If you need a doctor right away go to a Drop In Clinic, of which there are several in Calgary. Some of these are open 24 hours a day and they do not require an appointment. These are also listed under Physicians and Surgeons in the yellow pages.

Specialists: To get an appointment with a specialist you need a referral from a family doctor.

Emergencies: Emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day and are at major hospitals; they see the patients in order of severity of their problem so if you do not have a real emergency you should consider a Drop In Clinic. If you have an emergency with a child, go straight to Children's Hospital.

Alberta Children's Hospital (ONLY for children under 15 years)
17th Ave and Richmond Rd SW (beside Crowchild Trail)
website: http://www.childrenshospital.ab.ca/

Peter Lougheed Centre
26th Ave and 34th Street NE
website: http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/di/2-Hospitals/Site_DI_Pages/PLC/HospitalInfo-PLC.htm

Rockyview General Hospital
70th Ave and 14th Street SW
website: http://www.crha-health.ab.ca/nav/sites/RGH_photos.htm

Foothills Hospital
16th Ave and 29th Street NW
website: http://www.crha-health.ab.ca/nav/sites/foothills.htm

Women's Health
The Grace Women's Health Centre located at Foothills Hospital offers workshops and talks on many subjects relating to women's health and well being and that of their families. They have a library for public use and put out a free newsletter 6 times a year. For more information call 670-2260, or look at the web page: www.gracewomenshealth.com .

Dental Care
This is not covered by Alberta Health except in cases where the need for dental surgery has an impact on your health. Shell has a comprehensive dental plan with ManuLife, a major Insurance Company. There is both Basic and Enhanced coverage, funded by deductions from your salary. HR will provide the details of what is covered under the two plans and how much it costs. A list of dentists is available in the yellow pages.

Shell Health Care Spending Account
Shell Canada deposits an amount ($500.00 per employee) annually into a special account maintained by the Insurer which can be used to top up amounts not covered on the health or dental plans. HR will give you details of this on arrival, and any changes since this page was written.