| HISTORY/BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: | Dates of founding and/or dissolution:
The Alberta Health Care Insurance Commission was created by means of the passage and proclamation of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act, S.A. 1969 c. 43. The Commission commenced operations July 1, 1969. The Commission ceased operations March 31, 1978.
Functional responsibility:
The Commission was responsible for the administration and operation of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. The Commission was responsible for the administration of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act and the Health Insurance Premiums Act.
Predecessor and successor bodies:
The Commission was formed by the amalgamation of the previous Alberta Health Plan and the (private) M.S.I. Plan. It was succeeded in 1978 by the Health Care Insurance Division of the Department of Hospitals and Medical Care.
Administrative relationships:
The Commission reported to the Minister of Health (1969-71), the Minister of Health and Social Development (1971-73), the Hon. W. Helen Hunley (1973-75), and the Minister of Hospitals and Medical Care (1975-77).
Administrative Structure:
The Commission had two components, the Commissioners appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, and the administrative divisions which performed the day-to-day administration of the Health Care Insurance Plan.
The Commission members included
- the Chairman,
- the Executive Director, responsible for the Claims and Assessment Division and Systems and Research Division,
- the Commissioner for Registration, responsible for the Registration Division and the Personnel Office,
- the Commissioner for Finance, responsible for the Finance and Accounting Division and the Internal Audit Office,
- the Chairman of the Hospital Services Commission, and
- a member of the Legislative Assembly.
The last two members served on a part-time basis.
The Divisions of the Commission which administered the Plan were as follows:
- Registration and Enrolment Division: responsible for registration and enrolment of Plan participants and provision of information about the Plan to the public
- Claims and Assessment Division: responsible for insurance claims processing
- Systems and Research Division: responsible for the design and implementation of Commission information systems, records management, micrographics, and the preparation of statistical reports regarding Commission and Plan operations
- Finance and Accounting Division: responsible for the collection of health care premiums and Commission administrative support
- Medical Directorate: responsible for the development of claims assessment policies, liaison with health care professionals and their associations, provision of advice regarding delivery and planning of health services, and the audit and review of professional services
Names of chief officers:
Chairmen of the Health Care Insurance Commission:
James F. Falconer 1971-73
Bruce Rawson 1973-75
Dr. Ben M. MacLeod 1975-77
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