The Alberta Netcare EHR is a secure summary of important information that includes lab test results, prescription dispensing information and diagnostic imaging. It is not a complete medical record and is much different than the detailed records maintained by a physician or other health care providers. For additional information about what comprises the Alberta Netcare EHR, please visit www.albertanetcare.ca.    

Each piece of information that is available in Alberta Netcare comes from a health service facility in Alberta. These facilities did not all start sending information at the same time, so the dates vary by location for the earliest dated records available. For some facilities we might have records up to 12 years old, while for others we might only have a few months’ worth.    

Options to request records contained in Alberta Netcare

Option 1

Your first step should be to visit a health care provider with whom you have a current care relationship, such as your family physician or local pharmacist, and who has access to Alberta Netcare to request to view or receive a copy of your record.

This request may be submitted informally but your provider may require you to submit a formal access request. Access requests may be subject to fees and limited exceptions.

If you require assistance or have questions regarding making an access request for your Alberta Netcare records, or any other health information related questions, please contact the HIA Help Desk by calling 310-0000 (toll free) then 780-427-8089 or by emailing HIAHelpDesk@gov.ab.ca.

If you believe a health care provider has inappropriately refused your access request or you suspect your information has been subject to the privacy breach you may contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) to ask for a review of the decision or file a complaint. The OIPC can be contacted by telephone at 1-888-878-4044 or by email at generalinfo@oipc.ab.ca.

Option 2

If your health care providers do not have access to Alberta Netcare but you do have a current care relationship with Alberta Health Services (AHS), for example having recently received treatment in an AHS hospital, you may contact AHS Health Information Management to request access to your Netcare record.

For more information about this option please contact AHS at Disclosure@albertahealthservices.ca or toll free 1-855-312-2265 or click here.

Option 3

If your health care providers do not have access to Alberta Netcare and you have not recently received health services at an AHS facility you may approach Alberta Health to discuss other options for obtaining your records.

Health Information Access Services Provided by Alberta Health

Contact phone 780-422-5111, or email health.infoaccess@gov.ab.ca, or Confidential Fax 780-422-5813

1. Health Information Requests:
   Access personal health information in the custody and/or control of Alberta Health
2. Alberta Netcare Access Log
   This report details who has accessed your electronic health records – from April 1, 2006 to present date
3. Pharmaceutical Information Network (PIN) Log
   This report details the prescriptions which have been prescribed and dispensed to an individual – from January 1, 2008 to present date
4. Medical Claims for Selected Registrant
   This report details the registration number, date of service, hospital, practitioner, and the dollar amount paid to the service provider – from April 1, 1973 to September 30, 1993.
5. Statement of Benefits Paid (SOBP)
   from October 1, 1993 to the present date

Items numbered 1-4 are provided free of charge. Fill out the "Request to Access Health Information" form, please return the completed document along with copies of the following:

• Alberta Personal Health Card to conduct the search; and
• Operator’s Licence or any government issued photo identification to verify the address.

Remember when submitting a request for health information from Alberta Health

1. a completed and signed Health Information Access Request form;
2. a copy of the requester’s photo identification and health care card; and
3. supportive documentation, such as a Guardianship Order, Power of Attorney or Grant of Administration, if you are requesting health information on behalf of another individual.

Item number 5 is provided free of charge from July 1st of the previous year to the current date. To request an SOBP for the free period, an automated service is available by calling 780 427 0845 or toll free by dialing 310-0000, then 780-427-0845.

To request an SOBP for an earlier period back to October 1, 1993, please complete a ‘Request for a Statement of Benefits Paid Form’.

There will be a processing fee of $25.00 plus G.S.T.

For more information or to contact the SOBP team, please visit www.alberta.ca/ahcip-forms.aspx.


Key Information

Each health care location (such as hospitals, labs, x-ray clinics, and pharmacies) submits key patient health information to Alberta Netcare. This information is then presented as a single integrated patient record which is accessed by health care providers.

All of the medical facilities in Alberta keep their own records of the services they provide to their patients. A copy of information that is considered “key health information” is sent to Alberta Netcare.

Updating the information in one place does not mean that it will automatically be corrected everywhere. For this reason, citizens are encouraged to verify and validate their demographic information starting with the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), receive their correct Alberta Personal Health Card, and then at each and every health encounter at a hospital, clinic, pharmacy, or community health centre.

Your first step should be to contact the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan to make sure that the information associated with your Personal Health Number is correct. The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan General Inquiries number is: 780-427-1432 . (Edmonton), Toll-free in Alberta, dial 310-0000 then 780-427-1432.