What is the daily fee for hospital patients in Alberta?

Alberta charges $69.20 per day for hospital patients who no longer require acute care but are waiting for a continuing care spot.

Why does Alberta charge patients waiting for continuing care?

The province states the fee offsets accommodation costs like meals and maintenance, and it serves as a disincentive for patients to occupy hospital beds longer than necessary.

What is Alberta doing to address hospital bed availability?

The Alberta government is investing in creating more continuing care spaces and implementing an Assisted Living Framework to improve patient flow and reduce the number of ALC patients in hospitals.

Home / Health / Seniors Face Daily Fees in Alberta Hospitals

Seniors Face Daily Fees in Alberta Hospitals

18 Feb

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Summary

Alberta charges nearly $70 daily for hospital patients awaiting care.
The fee is for patients no longer requiring acute care.
This policy aims to offset accommodation costs and encourage timely transfers.

Seniors Face Daily Fees in Alberta Hospitals

In Alberta, hospital patients who are medically stable but awaiting transfer to a supportive living facility face a daily accommodation charge of $69.20. This fee, implemented in 2015, applies to individuals no longer requiring acute care. The province states the charge offsets costs like meals and maintenance, akin to continuing care facility rates.

This Alternative Level of Care (ALC) policy has drawn criticism, with some viewing it as a disincentive to remain in hospital. Experts note the frustration for families and the impact on hospital bed availability for acute care patients. As of 2025, ALC patients represented approximately 14% of hospitalizations in Alberta.