Alberta Bill 11: What It Means for Your Benefit Plan
Bill 11 is changing how group benefit plans work in Alberta.
We’re already on it.
You may not have heard of Alberta Bill 11 yet, and that’s okay. That’s what we’re here for.
Late last year, the Alberta government passed the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2), commonly known as Bill 11. It received Royal Assent on December 11, 2025, and parts of it are expected to take effect as early as this summer, with full implementation by 2027.
This is one of the most significant changes to healthcare and group benefits in Alberta in a generation. Below is a plain-language summary of what’s changing, what’s still uncertain, and what we’re doing about it.
Two Big Changes to Know About
Your benefit plan could pay first, not the government.
Under the current system, government programs like the Alberta Seniors Drug Plan (for those 65+) and Alberta Blue Cross Non-Group coverage pay first for eligible drug and health claims. Your group plan picks up the remainder.
Bill 11 flips that order. Your employer-sponsored plan will now be the first payor for prescription drugs and certain supplemental health benefits. The provincial plan will only step in after your group plan has paid its share.
This applies to:
- Employees age 65+ currently on the Alberta Seniors Drug Plan
- Employees under 65 enrolled in Alberta Blue Cross Non-Group coverage
This is a first-of-its-kind policy shift in Canada.
Employers may no longer be able to reduce or end Health coverage at age 65.
Currently, some employers are permitted to terminate or reduce drug and health coverage when an active employee turns a certain age. Under Bill 11, that is no longer allowed. Coverage must continue for as long as the employee remains actively employed.
It’s important to note this applies to drug and health benefits only. It does not apply to life insurance, disability, dental, travel, or spending accounts.
What This Could Mean for Your Plan
Because more claims could now flow through your group plan before the government covers anything, plan costs may increase. The extent of the impact will depend on your specific plan design, member demographics, and how many of your employees reside in Alberta.
Specialty drug coverage is expected to be most affected.
What’s Still Being Finalized
The government has not yet confirmed:
- The exact start date for all provisions
- When insurers will be required to make contract changes
- What plan design adjustments may be needed, if any
We are watching this closely and will share updates as they come.
What We’re Doing
We want you to know that we’re not waiting for this to land on your doorstep.
- Monitoring insurer bulletins and government updates in real time
- Reviewing the potential cost impact on each of our client plans
- Preparing recommendations so we’re ready to act as soon as final rules are confirmed
Advocating on Your Behalf
Cox Financial Group is an active member of the Smart Health Benefits Association (SHBA), Canada’s national advocacy body for private health and retirement benefits.
Through SHBA, we are directly engaged in advocacy efforts with the Alberta government and insurers to push for modifications to parts of Bill 11 that we believe place an unfair cost burden on employers and employees. Specifically, we have been advocating for a provincial pooling arrangement where employer plans cover an initial portion of high-cost drug claims, and the government steps in beyond that threshold, rather than shifting the full liability onto private plans.
We have also written to the Honourable Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, to communicate the concerns of Alberta employers and to urge thoughtful implementation that protects plan sponsors and their teams.
This legislation is complex, and the reality is that some details may still change before implementation. We are committed to making sure your voice is heard in that process.
What You Need to Do Right Now
Nothing yet. We will reach out to you as the rules are finalized and we have specific recommendations for your plan.
If you have questions in the meantime, we’re always here.
We’ve got this.
This content is powered by the Benefits Alliance Group.
Cox Financial Group is a proud member of the Benefits Alliance Group, a national organization consisting of 28 independent firms with more than 200 advisors. Collectively, we administer over 8,000 employee benefit plans with $1.4 billion of group insurance premiums, as well as 1,500 group retirement plans that have over $3.5 billion in plan assets. Learn more at benefitsalliance.ca.