80-year-old diabetic Calgarian shocked to receive $100 bill for COVID-19 vaccine
CBC
A Calgary senior, who says she's had diabetes and heart disease for more than two decades, is fighting back after being billed for her COVID-19 vaccine despite being eligible for a free shot.
Sharon Mason, 80, received her COVID vaccine in early November, after calling Health Link to confirm she qualifies for a free dose.
So, Mason — who is on a fixed income, lives in subsidized seniors housing and receives the Alberta Seniors Benefit — was shocked when she got a bill in the mail from Alberta Health Services for $100.
“I don't feel very good about it to tell the truth," said Mason, who received a second notice in late November notifying her that her payment was almost overdue.
"It's just not right, you know? I've been diabetic since 2002 and had heart disease since 2002. What is going on with the government?"
This season, the Alberta government is charging many people $100 for the COVID-19 vaccine.
But both diabetes and heart conditions are included on the Alberta government’s eligibility list for a free shot. And Mason told the public health nurse about her diabetes during her vaccine appointment.
People who receive the Alberta Seniors Benefit (financial assistance for low-income seniors) also qualify to get the COVID vaccine free of charge. This group was included in an early phase of the rollout.
Mason wrote to Alberta Health Services (AHS), Premier Danielle Smith and others to share her concerns.
“I told them that I am not going to pay because I don’t need to. I’ve gone through the hoops already,” she said.
She received a response from the premier’s office stating that her email had been forwarded to the Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services for consideration. As of Tuesday afternoon, she had not heard back from either the ministry or AHS.
CBC News reached out to the ministry, AHS and Primary Care Alberta for a response. Both the ministry and AHS deferred questions to Primary Care Alberta, which now oversees AHS.
In a statement, Primary Care Alberta said mistakes can happen and there is recourse.
“Any Albertan who believes they received a Primary Care Alberta COVID-19 vaccine bill in error is encouraged to contact the billing inquiry information listed on their invoice,” spokesperson Nicole Merrifield said in an email.
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