Navigating the healthcare system for an aging parent can feel like a full-time administrative job. If your loved one is currently receiving publicly funded home care in Calgary or Edmonton, you might already be familiar with the common frustrations: last-minute schedule changes, missed visits, and a different health care aide walking through the front door each week.
Many families assume they have to accept whatever provider is assigned to them. But in Alberta, you have an alternative that gives you complete control over who enters your home—without paying out of pocket.
It is called Client-Directed Home Care Invoicing (CDHCI), and it has quickly become the preferred choice for families who want personalized, consistent care.
What Is Client-Directed Home Care Invoicing (CDHCI)?
Client-Directed Home Care Invoicing is a provincial funding program managed through Assisted Living Alberta (ALA) in partnership with Alberta Blue Cross.
Historically, when a public health case manager approved home care hours, those hours were automatically assigned to a contracted agency on a rotational basis.
Under the CDHCI model, the provincial funding remains in place, but the power of choice shifts to you. You select an approved, licensed private home care provider—like Compassion Network Home Care—and your provider bills Alberta Blue Cross directly on your behalf.
Why Alberta Families Are Making the Switch
1. Eliminating "Caregiver Churn"
For seniors—especially those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia—having unfamiliar people assist with vulnerable tasks like bathing and dressing causes intense anxiety and behavioral distress. CDHCI allows you to partner with an agency that prioritizes small, dedicated care teams. Your loved one builds a trusting relationship with a familiar face.
2. Zero Paperwork and Direct Billing
In older Self-Managed Care programs, families had to operate like an employer: handling payroll, calculating taxes, and waiting weeks for reimbursement cheques. Under CDHCI, your agency handles the entire administrative burden. Compassion Network Home Care submits claims directly through the Alberta Blue Cross provider portal for approved hours, meaning zero out-of-pocket costs and zero administrative paperwork for you.
3. The Power of "Hybrid Care"
What happens when your parent qualifies for 6 hours of publicly funded personal care per week, but your family really needs 15 hours to keep them safely at home?
Under standard assigned care, you would have to hire a second, private company to cover the remaining hours, resulting in two different agencies and dozens of caregivers passing through the house. With a CDHCI provider, you can top up your approved hours with private care seamlessly, keeping the same trusted caregiver for the entire schedule.
What Services Are Covered Under CDHCI?
Your approved hours are based on an assessment of your loved one’s personal care and health needs. In most cases, CDHCI funding covers:
- Personal Care: Dignified, hands-on assistance with essential daily routines, including bathing, showering, dressing, grooming, hygiene, and safe morning/bedtime routines.
- Respite Care: Dedicated, scheduled relief for primary family caregivers. Whether you work full-time or need dedicated hours to recharge, respite care ensures your loved one is safe and engaged while you take a break.
- Homemaking: Practical household support that keeps the living environment safe, healthy, and organized—including light housekeeping, laundry, and nutritious meal preparation.
How to Get Started with CDHCI: A Step-by-Step Pathway
Whether you already receive home care visits or are looking into care for the first time, accessing CDHCI follows three straightforward steps:
Step 1: Request an Assessment
If your loved one does not currently receive home care, call Health Link by dialling 8-11 to make a request for home care services. An ALA case manager will meet with your family to evaluate physical, cognitive, and daily living needs.
Step 2: Request the CDHCI Model
During or after your assessment, explicitly tell your case manager:
"We would like to use the Client-Directed Home Care Invoicing (CDHCI) program for our care hours."
Once approved, Alberta Blue Cross issues an authorization letter detailing your approved hours and rates.
Step 3: Choose Compassion Network Home Care as Your Provider
You are under no obligation to use the agency the system suggests. Simply provide your Alberta Blue Cross authorization details to Compassion Network Home Care. We will meet with you for an in-home consultation, match your family with dedicated caregivers, establish your personalized care plan, and begin direct billing immediately.
Take the Guesswork Out of Home Care
You do not have to settle for rigid schedules or an unpredictable rotation of caregivers. Your family has the legal right to choose who cares for your loved one in the comfort of their own home.
At Compassion Network Home Care, we guide families across Calgary and Edmonton through the CDHCI approval process every day, ensuring smooth transitions with no interruption in care.
Ready to explore your options or make the switch? Contact Compassion Network Home Care today for a free, no obligation home care consultation.
