What Edmonton Families Need to Know About Client Directed Home Care
When an aging parent or loved one needs help at home, understanding Alberta's home care system can feel complicated.
One option available to eligible Albertans is Client Directed Home Care Invoicing (CDHCI). This publicly funded home and community care model gives eligible clients greater choice in deciding which approved provider delivers their authorized home care services.
Rather than having a provider assigned through the traditional home care model, CDHCI allows eligible clients and families to choose a participating provider that fits their needs. For families in Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, and surrounding communities, that can mean greater choice, continuity, and flexibility in arranging care.
What Is Client Directed Home Care Invoicing?
CDHCI is a publicly funded home and community care service delivery model.
Eligibility, as well as the amount and type of care a client receives, are determined through the provincial home care assessment process. Once approved for CDHCI, the client can choose a participating home care provider registered with Alberta Blue Cross.
The provider then delivers the authorized services and bills Alberta Blue Cross directly for the publicly funded portion of the care. This means families do not have to submit claims to Alberta Blue Cross themselves.
CDHCI and Self-Managed Care Are Different Options
Families may hear about both Client Directed Home Care Invoicing (CDHCI) and Self-Managed Care (SMC). They are not the same program. While both are examples of client-directed home and community care models in Alberta, they operate differently:
- Self-Managed Care (SMC): Clients or their designated representatives take on direct employer responsibilities, including hiring, managing, and paying individual caregivers.
- CDHCI: Families choose a participating home care agency (such as Home Instead). The agency remains the legal employer, handling staffing, scheduling, payroll, insurance, and employment administration.
For families who want greater choice over who provides their care but do not want the burden of acting as an employer, CDHCI offers an ideal middle ground.
How Does CDHCI Work?
The process generally follows four key steps:
1.Request a Home Care Assessment:Initiate contact with AHS.
A Alberta Health Services (AHS) home care case manager assesses the client's needs and determines what publicly funded home and community care services are appropriate. If you are not currently connected with home care, call 811 and ask to be connected with Home and Community Care services.
2.Ask Whether CDHCI Is an Option:Discuss care delivery models.
If you or your loved one is eligible for publicly funded home care, ask your case manager whether Client Directed Home Care Invoicing is an option. Note that eligibility, authorized services, and total funded hours are determined solely by the provincial assessment process—not by private home care providers.
3.Choose a Participating CDHCI Provider:Evaluate home care agencies.
Eligible clients choose from providers registered in the CDHCI program. When comparing agencies, consider factors beyond cost, such as caregiver continuity, minimum visit lengths, training, languages spoken, and geographic coverage.
4.Direct Billing Begins:No paperwork for families.
Once services begin, the chosen CDHCI provider bills Alberta Blue Cross directly for eligible services provided within the client's authorized care plan up to the covered threshold.
How Much Does CDHCI Fund?
As of 2026, Alberta Blue Cross reimburses participating CDHCI providers at a maximum rate of $34.03 per authorized hour, up to the client's authorized monthly limits. This reimbursement rate applies to eligible authorized services, including care provided on weekends and statutory holidays.
Important: $34.03 is the maximum publicly funded reimbursement rate—it is not necessarily the provider's total hourly rate.
CDHCI providers are private home care organizations and establish their own fee structures based on market standards, caregiver wages, and operational costs. If a provider's hourly rate is higher than the publicly funded amount, the client pays the difference.
Financial Breakdown Example
Suppose a client receives 87 authorized hours per month through AHS and chooses a home care provider charging $36.00 per hour:
|
Component |
Calculation |
Amount |
|
Publicly Funded Portion |
87 hours × $34.03/hr reimbursement |
~$2,960.61 / month |
|
Out-of-Pocket Rate Difference |
$36.00 − $34.03 |
$1.97 / hour |
|
Family's Monthly Contribution |
87 hours × $1.97/hr |
~$171.39 / month |
Exact out-of-pocket costs depend on the chosen agency's rates, specific services provided, total authorized hours, and any additional specialized care needs.
Key Program Details & Service Limits
Do Unused CDHCI Hours Carry Forward?
No. Authorized CDHCI hours reset at the beginning of each calendar month. Unused hours do not roll over. Families should work closely with their chosen provider to build a schedule that fully utilizes their approved care allocation each month.
What Services Can CDHCI Provide?
Authorized services depend on the client's individual AHS assessment. Depending on assessed needs, care can include:
- Personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming)
- Mobility assistance and safe transfers
- Meal preparation and nutrition support
- Respite care for family caregivers
What Costs Are Not Covered by the $34.03 Reimbursement?
Families may be responsible for out-of-pocket costs including:
- The difference between the $34.03 rate and the provider's standard hourly rate
- Hours of care requested beyond the monthly AHS authorization limit
- Additional non-funded services (e.g., deep house cleaning, direct transportation mileage)
- Late cancellation fees or administrative fees where applicable
Hospital to Home: Start Planning Before Discharge
A hospitalization, fall, or sudden health change is often when families first realize an aging parent needs help. You do not need to wait until your loved one returns home to begin exploring care options.
While your loved one is still in the hospital, ask to speak with the hospital social worker, discharge planner, or care coordinator:
- Request that an AHS Home Care assessment be initiated prior to discharge.
- Inquire whether CDHCI can be integrated into the discharge plan.
- Contact potential CDHCI providers early to confirm scheduling availability so support is ready the day your loved one returns home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need private Alberta Blue Cross insurance to use CDHCI?
No. CDHCI is a publicly funded provincial program. Alberta Blue Cross simply acts as the administrator for the invoicing and payment portal between home care agencies and the government.
Can someone living with dementia use CDHCI?
Yes. A diagnosis alone does not disqualify someone. Eligibility is based on functional needs assessments and whether care can be safely delivered in a home environment. Speak with your AHS case manager about cognitive care requirements.
Can I change CDHCI providers if I'm not satisfied?
Yes. Clients have the right to switch participating providers. You should inform your AHS case manager to ensure smooth billing transitions and verify that the new provider has immediate capacity to match your care schedule.
How quickly can CDHCI services start?
Timelines vary based on AHS assessment wait times, authorization processing, and agency capacity. If care is needed urgently due to a hospital discharge or safety crisis, inform AHS immediately so they can prioritize the assessment.
Choosing the Right CDHCI Provider
Choosing home care isn't simply about comparing hourly rates. You are inviting professionals into your loved one's home for intimate daily support. When evaluating agencies in Edmonton, consider asking:
- Caregiver Consistency: Will my parent have a dedicated team of familiar Care Professionals?
- Vetting & Training: How are caregivers screened, background-checked, and trained for specialized care (such as dementia support)?
- Back-up Coverage: What happens if our regular caregiver falls ill or takes time off?
- Visit Minimums: What is the agency's minimum shift length (e.g., 2 hours, 3 hours, or 4 hours)?
- Rate Transparency: What is the exact hourly rate above the $34.03 reimbursement, and are there any hidden mileage or administrative fees?
Partnering with Home Instead Edmonton
Home Instead Edmonton is a participating CDHCI provider serving families across Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, and surrounding areas. We have been helping local families navigate home care systems and age safely in place since 2011.
While Home Instead cannot determine or alter your publicly funded hours—which remain entirely under the jurisdiction of AHS case managers—our team can help you maximize your approved budget, build a tailored care schedule, and answer any financial questions transparently.
Ready to discuss your family's care needs?
Contact Home Instead Edmonton today at (780) 439-9990 to schedule a complimentary home care consultation.
