Please note that in January 2023, an alternative version of the Self-Managed Care Funding Program, the Client Directed Home Care Invoicing Program (CDHCI), was released. The CDHCI program allows AHS Community Home Care clients to choose an eligible private home care provider to deliver personal care services. Click here to learn more!
As you age, maintaining independence and having control over your healthcare can be important. By managing your own healthcare, you can ensure you receive the best possible care that meets your specific needs.
With self-managed care funding, seniors have the opportunity to decide who provides them with home care services and which specific services they receive, rather than relying on anyone else.
In this blog post, we’re addressing everything you need to know about self-managed care funds and how the self-managed care program can help you take the reins of your healthcare journey and boost your quality of life.
What is Self-Managed Care Funding?
Self-managed care funding is a healthcare program offered by Alberta Health Services (AHS) that allows individuals to receive funds for their personal care needs. This funding allows you to choose and manage personal care, home support services, and respite care.
Who is Eligible for Self-Managed Care?
To be eligible for self-managed care, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Live in Alberta and have an active healthcare card.
- Live in a public community (not in a nursing home or long-term care facility).
- Have stable health and predictable care needs.
- Require ongoing personal and home care support services.
- Be willing and capable of assuming the risks and responsibilities associated with contracting care services from a care provider, like employing caregivers.
How You Can Use Your Self-Managed Care Funds
Self-managed care funds can only be used for personal care, home support services, and respite care. The following list covers what is included within each of these services:
- Personal care assistance includes support with:
- Personal hygiene
- Going to the bathroom
- Mobilization
- Eating
- Medication management
- Home support services include support with:
- Preparing meals
- Housekeeping
- Companionship
- Respite care means getting assistance during the day or night to give personal support workers/a family member a break
Please note that self-managed care funds cannot be used to purchase professional support services like therapy, massages or social work.
How to Access Self-Managed Care Services
If you already receive care through Alberta Health Services, you can ask your case manager to transfer you to a self-managed care agreement. They will help you navigate the transition, guide you through the self-managed care funding process, and ensure seamless integration into a personalized care plan that aligns with your unique needs and preferences.
If you are not receiving care through an AHS case manager, you can self-refer or have a third-party provider refer you through the home care intake line at 403-943-1920.
How Your Coverage Amount is Determined
The amount of coverage for ongoing personal care is based on an assessment of your current needs and support services provided by your AHS case manager.
You can use these funds to pay caregivers directly or as a subsidy to hire a private home care company like Ohana Care. If you rely on Ohana Care for your home care needs, your funding will cover more than half the hourly price of personal care services.
Benefits of Self-Care Managed Funding
There are a handful of benefits you can take advantage of when you receive self-care managed funding:
- You have a greater say over who provides the care and when.
- For example, when you hire Ohana Care, we screen and hire the caregivers so you don’t have to.
- Should a caregiver be sick or go on vacation, a private company can offer an alternate caregiver.
- Ohana Care has a team of nurses that can assist the caregivers in the community.
- You can age in place longer.
- Most importantly, you can do so safely with the in-home care support services Ohana Care can provide.
- Private care providers, like Ohana Care, keep detailed records of services.
- We can invoice you daily, weekly, or monthly. In addition, we can provide a yearly statement for tax purposes and to report back to Alberta Health Services.
Additional Relevant Information About the AHS Self-Managed Care Program
There are a few additional things you need to know about the self-managed care program, including:
- The self-managed care agreement is a legal contract between Alberta Health Services and you or your legal representative.
- All agreements are signed for a one-year term.
- After the year, or if your health status declines, your home care case manager will reassess your needs to determine your new funding agreement.
- If your health status changes, you must contact your case manager within 72 hours.
- You/your legal representative must ensure your private home care team/caregiver is legally allowed to work in Canada.
- Family members and informal caregivers cannot be hired as paid care providers. 403-943-1920), attend an information session, or review the following resources:
- Alberta Health Services Self-Managed Care Brochure (PDF)
- Financial Concierge
- Ohana Care Home Care Services
Use Your Self-Managed Home Care Funds With Ohana Care
Taking your healthcare into your own hands, allocating your funds, and finding the perfect caregiver that meets your personal needs can feel like a big responsibility.
However, Ohana Care makes the choice simple!
You can use your self-managed care funds for comprehensive in-home care and respite care services provided by Ohana Care’s dedicated team of LPNs.
When you use your self-managed care funds with Ohana, you can not only receive quality home care services, but we’ll also provide you with a caregiver you can trust, so you don’t have to worry about spending all of your time interviewing or searching for caregivers.
Additionally, we will provide detailed service records, making your reporting to AHS much easier.
By choosing Ohana Care, you can take advantage of all the benefits of self-managed care funding while gaining access to a reliable partner in your healthcare journey.
Contact us to learn more about how we can help you use your self-managed care funding for our in-home care services.
