Update on Alberta Bill 11: legislative changes effective October 1, 2026

As you may be aware , Alberta Bill 11 will change how we pay drug and certain health-care expenses for Alberta plan members.

The implementation date is now confirmed: October 1, 2026.

What’s changing

There are two key legislative changes that affect employer group benefits plans:

1. Alberta government plans become payers of last resort

• Alberta Seniors and Alberta Non-Group plans will become the payers of last resort for prescription drugs and certain supplemental health benefits. This means these plans will only pay after all other coverage options have been exhausted, or when private insurance is unavailable. This applies to active employees and retirees covered under employer group benefits plans.

2. Coverage for plan members age 65 and older, who are actively working

• Employers cannot terminate or reduce drug and health coverage for active employees because of age.

Please see our April 2026 communication for more information.

What this means for your plan

Here’s what we know right now:

• As the payer-of-last-resort legislation shifts costs from public to private coverage, you may see a pricing adjustment at your next renewal. The extent of the impact will depend on your plan design, plan member demographics, and where plan members live. 
• Health Spending Accounts (HSAs) won’t be affected. Alberta residents do not need to exhaust HSA balances before submitting claims to Alberta Seniors or Non-Group plans.
• These legislative changes apply to all Alberta residents, regardless of where they work.

We’re continuing to monitor this legislation and assess its potential impact on your plan. We’ll provide you timely updates to help you understand what it means for your plan and whether you need to take any action.