CDHCI Alberta vs. Standard AHS Home Care: How Edmonton and St. Albert Families Can Choose the Right Model

If your family is weighing home care options in Edmonton, here is the short answer: standard AHS (Alberta Health Services) home care assigns a provider to you, while Client Directed Home Care Invoicing (CDHCI) lets you choose an approved provider yourself. Both are publicly funded through AHS — the key difference is how much control your family has over who delivers the care.

Understanding that distinction can make a significant difference in the quality and consistency of care your loved one receives.

What Is the Difference Between CDHCI and Standard AHS Home Care?

Both models begin with the same first step: a home care assessment by AHS, which determines eligibility and the level of care needed. After that, the two paths diverge.

Under standard AHS home care, AHS assigns a contracted provider to your family based on availability and geographic coverage. Families have limited say in which organization delivers the care or which specific caregiver shows up. The billing is handled entirely between AHS and the provider — families receive no invoice.

Under CDHCI (Client Directed Home Care Invoicing) Alberta, once you have your AHS assessment and approval, you select your own approved provider from a list of participating organizations. The provider you choose invoices Alberta Blue Cross directly on your behalf — Alberta Blue Cross administers the CDHCI program as part of the AHS funding system. You do not submit reimbursement claims or pay out of pocket for approved services.

The result is that CDHCI gives families a meaningful choice without adding financial or administrative burden.

Side-by-Side Comparison: CDHCI vs. Standard AHS Home Care

Who Should Choose CDHCI?

CDHCI tends to be the better fit for families who:

• Want to choose a specific care provider or organization they already trust

• Need for a consistent caregiver — particularly important for seniors with memory loss or cognitive decline, where familiarity with a caregiver reduces anxiety and improves outcomes

• Have tried standard AHS-assigned care and experienced high caregiver turnover or poor compatibility

• Are managing complex care needs that benefit from a provider who can take a coordinated, relationship-based approach

• Live in communities like Edmonton or St. Albert where multiple approved CDHCI providers serve the area, giving families real options

CDHCI is not the right fit for families who are comfortable letting AHS coordinate the care arrangement and have no strong preference for provider choice.

Who Is Eligible for CDHCI in Alberta?

To access CDHCI Alberta, an individual must:

• Be a permanent resident of Alberta

• Hold a valid Alberta Health Care card

• Client assessed and determined eligible or ineligible based on unmet care needs

• Have their care plan approved under the CDHCI program

There is no separate application for CDHCI — the eligibility determination happens through the AHS assessment process. If approved, you are then able to select a participating approved CDHCI provider.

Does CDHCI Cover the Same Services as Standard AHS Home Care?

In most cases, the services covered under CDHCI align closely with those available under standard AHS home care — including personal care, homemaking support, and, depending on the care plan and approved services. The specific services covered for any individual are determined by the AHS care plan, not by the provider the family selects. Choosing a CDHCI provider does not expand or reduce what is funded — it changes who delivers those services.

How Does the Billing Process Work Under CDHCI?

This is one of the most common points of confusion for families.

Under CDHCI, approved providers invoice Alberta Blue Cross directly for the services delivered. Alberta Blue Cross administers the CDHCI program on behalf of AHS. Families do not receive an invoice for funded services, and they do not need to submit reimbursement claims. The provider handles the entire billing process on the client's behalf.

This is an important distinction from some older care funding models in Alberta, where clients or families were responsible for paying a caregiver and seeking reimbursement afterward. CDHCI does not work that way.

What Does "Approved CDHCI Provider" Mean?

An approved CDHCI provider is an organization that has met AHS requirements to participate in the program and is authorized to invoice Alberta Blue Cross directly for services delivered under CDHCI-funded care plans.

Home Instead Edmonton is an approved CDHCI provider serving Edmonton and surrounding communities, including St. Albert. As a participating organization, we can be selected by families whose AHS assessment approves them for CDHCI funding.

Not every home care organization in Alberta participates in CDHCI — families should confirm a provider's status before proceeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between CDHCI and AHS home care in Alberta?

Standard AHS home care assigns a provider to clients based on availability. CDHCI (Client Directed Home Care Invoicing) gives approved clients the right to choose their own participating provider. Both are funded through AHS; CDHCI adds provider choice without requiring families to pay out of pocket or submit reimbursement claims.

Do I have to pay anything out of pocket under CDHCI?

No. Under CDHCI, your approved provider invoices Alberta Blue Cross directly for funded services. Families do not pay the provider and do not submit reimbursement claims for services covered under the approved care plan.

Can I switch to CDHCI if I am already receiving standard AHS home care?

Families already receiving standard AHS home care can inquire about transitioning to CDHCI through their AHS home care coordinator. The transition involves confirming eligibility under CDHCI and selecting an approved participating provider. The AHS assessment that supported existing home care services may be reviewed or updated as part of this process.

Is Home Instead Edmonton an approved CDHCI provider?

Yes. Home Instead Edmonton is an approved CDHCI provider serving Edmonton and surrounding communities, including St. Albert. Families approved for CDHCI funding can select Home Instead Edmonton as their provider, and we invoice Alberta Blue Cross directly on their behalf.

Does CDHCI cover memory care or specialized care needs?

The services funded under CDHCI are determined by the individual's AHS care plan. Families with a loved one who has dementia or other complex care needs can access those services through an approved CDHCI provider if the care plan supports it. Choosing a CDHCI provider experienced in memory care — rather than accepting an AHS-assigned provider — gives families more confidence in the match between the caregiver and the client's specific needs.

How do I know if I qualify for CDHCI Alberta?

Eligibility for CDHCI is determined through an AHS home care assessment. You must be an Alberta resident with a valid Alberta Health Care card. Call 811 to access Home and Community Care to request a home care assessment or speak with a home care advisor who can help you understand your options before the assessment.

What is the role of Alberta Blue Cross in CDHCI?

Alberta Blue Cross administers the CDHCI program on behalf of AHS. When an approved CDHCI provider delivers services to a client, the provider submits invoices to Alberta Blue Cross for payment. Families are not involved in this billing process.

We Are Here to Help You Understand Your Options

Navigating Alberta's home care system takes time, and the decision carries real weight for your family. If you are trying to decide whether CDHCI or standard AHS home care is the right fit — or if you simply want to talk through what your loved one's situation looks like in practical terms — we are happy to have that conversation with you.

Home Instead Edmonton has been serving families across Edmonton and St. Albert since 2011. We are an approved CDHCI provider, and our care advisors are familiar with the assessment process, the funding options, and — most importantly — what it takes to match a senior with a Care Pro they will genuinely feel comfortable with.

There is no pressure and no commitment required to reach out. Call us at (780) 439-9990 and we will talk through what makes sense for your family.