Alberta's CDHCI program lets you name your own provider instead of accepting whoever AHS assigns. Home Instead Red Deer is an approved CDHCI provider with professionally screened and trained caregivers, award-winning care and exceptional client satisfaction, and a local team that has served Red Deer and Edmonton since 2011.
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You Choose Your Home Care Provider Under Alberta's CDHCI
- Trusted by Red Deer and Edmonton families for over 15 years
- Dedicated Care Manager, not a call centre
- Professionally screened and trained Care Pros
- Customized care that adapts as needs change
What's the difference between CDHCI and standard AHS home care?
Both paths start with the same AHS home care assessment. Standard AHS home care assigns a provider to you. CDHCI, Client Directed Home Care Invoicing, lets you choose an approved provider yourself. Both are publicly funded through AHS, the difference is how much say your family has in who delivers the care.
| Standard AHS Home Care | CDHCI Alberta | |
|---|---|---|
| Who chooses the provider | AHS assigns a contracted provider | You choose from approved participating providers |
| Billing | AHS pays the provider directly, no family involvement | Your provider invoices Alberta Blue Cross directly, no reimbursement claims |
| Level of choice | Limited, based on availability | High, you select the organization and help shape the care relationship |
| Best suited for | Families comfortable with AHS-assigned care | Families who want to choose their provider and build a consistent relationship |
| Entry point | AHS home care assessment | Same AHS home care assessment |
Who should choose CDHCI?
CDHCI tends to be the better fit for families who: |
CDHCI may not be necessary if: |
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Want to choose a specific provider they already trust |
Your family is comfortable letting AHS coordinate the care arrangement |
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Need a consistent caregiver, especially important for seniors with memory loss or cognitive decline |
You have no strong preference for choosing a specific provider |
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Have tried AHS-assigned care and experienced high turnover or poor compatibility |
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Are managing complex care needs that benefit from a coordinated, relationship-based approach Live in Red Deer and area, where multiple approved CDHCI providers give real options |
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Who is eligible for CDHCI in Alberta?
There is no separate application. Eligibility is determined through the same AHS assessment process, and if approved, you select a participating provider.
- Be a permanent resident of Alberta
- Hold a valid Alberta Health Care card
- Be assessed and determined eligible based on unmet care needs
- Have your care plan approved under the CDHCI program
How does billing work under CDHCI?
This is one of the most common points of confusion for families, so here is exactly how it works.
- Home Instead delivers your approved care,
- We invoice Alberta Blue Cross directly,
- Your family pays nothing and files no claims
Alberta Blue Cross administers CDHCI on behalf of AHS. This is different from older funding models where families paid a caregiver and sought reimbursement afterward. CDHCI does not work that way, and choosing a provider does not change what your care plan covers, only who delivers it.
Home Instead Red Deer and Edmonton has served seniors since 2011
As an approved participating organization, we can be selected by any family whose AHS assessment approves them for CDHCI funding.
- 15 Years trusted by Red Deer and Edmonton families
- Dedicated Care Manager, not a call centre
- Professionally screened and trained Care Pros
- Customized care that adapts as your needs change
FAQ's What Red Deer families usually ask us first
Do I have to pay anything out of pocket under CDHCI?
No. Your approved provider invoices Alberta Blue Cross directly for funded services. You do not pay the provider or submit reimbursement claims for services covered under your approved care plan.
Can I switch to CDHCI if I'm already receiving standar AHS home care?
Yes, in many cases. Speak with your AHS home care coordinator about transitioning to CDHCI and selecting an approved provider. Your existing assessment may be reviewed or updated as part of that process.
Is Home Instead Red Deer an approved CDHCI provider?
Yes. Home Instead Red Deer is an approved CDHCI provider serving Red Deer and surrounding communities. Families approved for CDHCI funding can select us, and we invoice Alberta Blue Cross directly on their behalf.
Does CDHCI cover memory care or specialized needs?
The services funded under CDHCI are determined by your AHS care plan. Families with a loved one who has dementia or other complex needs can access those services through an approved provider if the care plan supports it, and choosing a provider experienced in memory care gives families more confidence in the match.
How do I know if I qualify for CDHCI?
Eligibility is determined through an AHS home care assessment. Call Health Link at 811 to request an assessment, or speak with a home care advisor first to understand your options.
What is the role of ALberta Blue Cross in CDHCI?
Alberta Blue Cross administers the CDHCI program on behalf of AHS. When an approved provider delivers care, they submit invoices to Alberta Blue Cross directly. Families are not involved in that billing process at all.
We're 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 want to talk through whether CDHCI or standard AHS home care fits your situation, we're happy to have that conversation, no pressure and no commitment required.
Call us at (403) 222-0393
Our care advisors know the assessment process, the funding options, and what it takes to match a senior with a Care Pro they'll genuinely feel comfortable with.
