A clinician applies
An Alberta physician or dentist must apply for an eligible patient. Patients cannot self-refer or submit the application documents themselves.
FAMILIES · EVIDENCE · FAIR ACCESS
A clearer path to necessary care.
Care Beyond Canada brings patient and family voices together as Alberta reviews how it funds medically necessary care that cannot reasonably be provided in Canada.
01
OUR MISSION
Patients and families belong in the review.
The Government of Alberta has committed to reviewing its Out-of-Country Health Services program, recognizing that the policies guiding it are outdated and may no longer meet the needs of patients today. Our family experienced firsthand the devastating impact the current policies can have when medically necessary care is not available at home. Since sharing our story, we have heard from many others across Alberta and Canada facing similar barriers.
Our mission is to bring our voices together to ensure patients and families are heard throughout the review, and to advocate for transparent, fair and medically appropriate change in Alberta. We hope this work will also inspire broader policy reform across Canada.
02
THE CURRENT SYSTEM
What Alberta’s published rules currently say.
This plain-language overview is based on Alberta’s official program page. It is general information—not medical or legal advice—and program requirements can change.
Every requirement matters
The service must be medically necessary, insured, supported by clinical documentation, unavailable in Canada after appropriate options are exhausted, and neither experimental nor part of a trial.
Cases are reviewed individually
The committee says each complete application is assessed on its own evidence and circumstances within current legislation.
The appeal record is limited
The separate Appeal Panel reviews the original record and appeal. Alberta says the panel is not authorized to review new information.
Important timing:
Alberta’s published process sets business-day periods for decisions, notices and appeals. For a live case, confirm the current dates and requirements directly with the program.
03
THE ALBERTA REVIEW
REVIEW PUBLICLY CONFIRMED
Confirmed
Not stated in the supplied announcement
What is confirmed—and what still needs clarity.
Alberta’s Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services told Global News that it had launched a review of the program and was assessing whether changes are needed.
The ministry has publicly acknowledged that patient needs and medical care have evolved and that the program is under review.
The review’s full scope, completion schedule, and formal process for patient and family participation.
Last reviewed: September 2, 2026. This section will be updated when attributable information is available.
04
WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE
A fair, transparent and medically appropriate pathway.
Our goal is to help ensure Alberta’s Out-of-Country Health Services program provides a fair, transparent and medically appropriate pathway for patients who require necessary care that cannot reasonably be provided in Canada. We want to work alongside government and encourage a review that strengthens the program so decisions are based on patient need, appropriate medical expertise, clear evidence and timely access to care.
Centre medical necessity and patient safety
Medical necessity, the patient’s individual circumstances, and the consequences of delay should sit at the centre of every decision.
Use the right medical expertise
Rare and complex cases should be reviewed by specialists with relevant expertise. Where that expertise is unavailable within the program, substantial weight should be given to applying and treating physicians.
Distinguish unavailable care from experimental care
Established care that is unavailable in Canada should not be treated the same as experimental care. Evidence standards should clearly recognize appropriate Canadian and international medical evidence.
Decide within medically appropriate timelines
Applications and appeals should be decided before scheduled treatment dates, with an expedited process for urgent cases.
Name a genuinely accessible Canadian pathway
A denial should identify a clear, medically appropriate and actually accessible option in Canada—not a theoretical service that the patient cannot reasonably receive.
SPECIFIC REQUESTS
Build accountability into the review.
- Include patients, families and treating physicians, with a public way to submit feedback and lived experience.
- When criteria change, notify previously denied applicants who may be affected and provide an accessible reconsideration process.
- Allow relevant denials from the previous five years to be reconsidered without forcing families to restart from zero or duplicate evidence already on file.
- Allow patient-initiated reconsideration, supported by appropriate medical documentation and clinical involvement, when the original applying physician cannot or will not resubmit.
- Review the policy at least every five years so it keeps pace with medical evidence, technology and patient needs.
05
PATIENT & FAMILY STORIES
Choose how you want to be heard.
Use the route that matches your comfort level. Public stories are moderated, and a pseudonym is welcome. Private messages stay in the contact queue.
Submit a story
Create a private draft, choose a public display name, add photographs only with separate consent, and submit it for moderation.
Start a storyContact the team
Share an experience privately or ask a question without submitting it for public publication.
Send a private messageDiscuss participation
Ask about speaking with media or participating in future advocacy. Nothing is promised or published through this contact step.
Contact the movement06
TAKE ACTION
Turn attention into a useful next step.
Every action below goes to a real destination. Choose the one that fits you.
01Sign the current petitionContinue to Change.org ↗
02Browse or create petitionsUse the moderated petition hub →
03Find your Alberta MLAUse the official Assembly directory ↗
04Submit your experienceCreate a story draft →
05Volunteer with the movementChoose a genuine volunteer path →
06Contact the movement teamStart with the secure contact form →
07
MEDIA & OFFICIAL RESOURCES
Coverage, context and primary information.
Coverage about this movement is separated from related reporting. Official program rules remain clearly identified as government information.