Care-First Benefits vs Alberta's Current System
Care-First changes the accident-injury benefit framework for accidents on or after January 1, 2027. The biggest differences are in access to treatment, income support and the range of scheduled benefits.
Medical and rehabilitation benefits
Government of Alberta comparison material shows a major shift from the current time- and dollar-limited accident-benefit structure toward Care-First coverage for reasonable and necessary medical and rehabilitation expenses until maximum medical recovery, with potential longer-term support for serious injuries.
The exact entitlement depends on the legislation, regulations, injury and treatment rules in force for the claim.
Government of Alberta — Accident benefits comparison →Income replacement
The government's published comparison describes Care-First income replacement as 90% of net income up to a maximum annual gross income threshold, with eligibility designed to address full-time, part-time, temporary and self-employed work as well as some students, minors and people between jobs.
Because benefit amounts can be indexed and regulations can change before implementation, Canada Rate Lab treats official 2027 forms and regulations as the controlling source rather than freezing a marketing summary into a permanent number.
Additional Care-First benefit categories
The draft CF-1 process references eligible medical expenses, equipment, supplies and travel-related costs.
Benefits can apply when injuries prevent an insured person from caring for dependants, subject to eligibility rules.
The framework includes assistance when an injury affects everyday functional activities.
A separate benefit category applies to qualifying permanent injuries resulting from an automobile accident.
Insurers must inform and reasonably assist claimants
The approved draft 2027 Owner's Automobile Policy says insurers must endeavour to ensure claimants are informed about available compensation and reasonably assist them in making a claim. Alberta is also developing standardized forms and treatment processes for the new model.
Alberta 2027 draft SPF-1 policy →What this comparison does not tell you
It does not tell you your 2027 premium, whether a particular treatment is approved, or the final amount payable on a real claim. Premium pricing, medical entitlement and benefit calculation are separate questions.