Client Directed Home Care Invoicing (CDHCI)
Client Directed Home Care Invoicing (CDHCI) is an option for Alberta Health Services (AHS) Home and Community Care clients to manage their own care. With CDHCI, you choose an agency registered with Alberta Blue Cross to provide pre-approved hours of home care each month — and the agency submits claims directly to Alberta Blue Cross for reimbursement.
What is Client Directed Home Care Invoicing?
Client Directed Home Care Invoicing (CDHCI) is an option for Alberta Health Services (AHS) Home and Community Care clients to manage their own care. With CDHCI, clients can choose an agency that provides home care services and is registered with Alberta Blue Cross. This agency can provide services up to a maximum number of pre-approved hours per month, as authorized by AHS. The agency submits claims directly to Alberta Blue Cross, the program administrators, and is reimbursed for their services.
You Direct Care
You choose your agency and direct care according to your Care Plan.
AHS Authorized
Hours are pre-approved by your AHS Case Manager based on assessment.
Direct Billing
The agency bills Alberta Blue Cross directly — no claim paperwork for you.
Need Help Navigating CDHCI?
Nurse On Duty is experienced with AHS billing.
Our care team can help you understand your authorized hours, select a registered provider, and build a backup care plan — so you can focus on what matters most.
Book a Free ConsultationWho is eligible for CDHCI in Alberta?
If you have a valid Alberta Health Care number and are living in a community setting, you may be eligible for CDHCI. You do not need to have an Alberta Blue Cross plan to be eligible.
You have been assessed by an AHS Case Manager and are deemed in need of home care services.
Your Case Manager determines that this model is suitable for your care and will meet your care needs.
There is no conflict of interest with any other AHS policy or service agreements.
You or the person managing your CDHCI care are willing and able to assume the responsibilities of self-directing and monitoring your care.
What services are provided?
Services are determined by your Home and Community Care assessment and may include personal care, homemaking, and publicly funded respite care.
Personal Care
Assistance with scheduled care tasks such as personal hygiene, dressing, toileting, mobilization and transferring, home exercises, nutrition, medication assistance, and respiratory care.
Homemaking Services
Tasks essential to keeping you in your home: cleaning bathrooms, cleaning mobility equipment, incontinence laundry, and removing garbage. Homemaking must be related to health maintenance and is not a stand-alone service.
Respite Care
Provides informal caregivers a break when you are unable to safely be left alone, as determined by your AHS Case Manager.
Expectations of CDHCI Participants
You may manage your CDHCI yourself, or assign this responsibility to another willing and able person — such as a spouse or relative — referred to as your CDHCI manager.
You or the Formal Decision-Maker
A person who has legal responsibility for managing your care.
- Sign and submit a Consent to Disclose Information form to Alberta Blue Cross. The CDHCI manager's contact information is also shared with Alberta Blue Cross.
- If a Consent to Disclose Information form is signed by anyone other than you, documentation relating to the source of their legal authority must be provided to AHS.
You or the CDHCI Manager
Does not need to have legal authority to manage CDHCI.
- Signs the CDHCI Letter of Agreement.
- Receives an approval letter from Alberta Blue Cross confirming authorized hours, start date, and your Alberta Blue Cross customer number.
- Selects a service provider agency from the list provided by Alberta Blue Cross.
- Directs care according to the Care Plan.
- Makes a backup plan for care in the event your agency caregiver is absent.
- Pays the selected agency for any charges above and beyond the AHS authorized hours and maximum hourly rate stated in your Alberta Blue Cross letter.
- Notifies AHS of changes to your condition (including hospitalizations), periods not requiring care, leaving the province, or periods with no service provider agency.
- Notifies AHS and Alberta Blue Cross of changes to your address or contact information (yours or your CDHCI manager's).
Who can be hired?
AHS is not affiliated with any eligible service provider registered with Alberta Blue Cross and is not responsible for the actions or omissions of any service provider. CDHCI clients are responsible for reviewing and researching these providers. AHS does not evaluate or guarantee the quality of care provided by any registered service provider agency on the Alberta Blue Cross registry.
Albertans can choose CDHCI because this service delivery model best meets their needs. The contractual relationship is between you (or your CDHCI manager) and your chosen service provider agency.
When choosing a service provider agency, choose an agency from the Alberta Blue Cross registered vendor list. A map of the client directed home care service zones and registered vendors can be found on the Alberta Blue Cross website (Client Directed Home Care | Alberta Blue Cross®) or by calling 1-800-394-1965.
Request Home Care Services
You can receive more information or request home care services by calling the appropriate AHS number below. Family, friends, neighbours, or health professionals can also call on your behalf.
CDHCI Frequently Asked Questions
Let Us Help You Navigate CDHCI
Nurse On Duty is experienced with AHS billing and can help you understand your authorized hours, select a registered provider, and build a dependable backup care plan. Reach out today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
For more information from Alberta Health Services, email continuingcare@ahs.ca