Alberta Blue Cross CDHCI: How Direct Billing Works for Calgary Home Care

If you've been researching home care funding in Alberta, you've likely come across two names: Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Alberta Blue Cross. For the CDHCI program, both play a critical role — but in different ways.

This article explains exactly how Alberta Blue Cross CDHCI billing works, why Calgary families never receive a bill for approved services, and what you need to do to access this funding.

What Role Does Alberta Blue Cross Play in CDHCI?

Alberta Blue Cross is the payment administrator for the CDHCI program. While Alberta Health Services (AHS) determines eligibility and approves your monthly care hours, it is Alberta Blue Cross that actually processes and pays the invoices submitted by authorized providers.

Think of it this way:

• AHS = determines how many funded hours you receive each month
• Alberta Blue Cross = pays the authorized provider for those hours
• Sagewell Home Care = delivers the care and submits invoices to Blue Cross
• You = receive professional home care at zero cost for approved hours

This direct billing model is what makes CDHCI so accessible for families. There are no upfront payments, no reimbursement claims, and no complex paperwork for you to manage.

How Does the Alberta Blue Cross CDHCI Billing Process Work?

What Does Alberta Blue Cross CDHCI Pay For?

Alberta Blue Cross reimburses CDHCI-authorized providers for the following service categories, as approved by your AHS assessment:

Personal Care Services

• Bathing, showering, grooming, and oral hygiene
• Dressing and undressing
• Toileting assistance and continence management
• Mobility and transfer assistance
• Medication reminders (not administration)
• Feeding and nutrition support

Homemaking Services (when combined with personal care)

• Laundry and bed linen changes
• Light housekeeping essential to health and safety
• Meal preparation and clean-up
• Grocery and errand support (when part of care plan)

Respite Care

• Day, evening, or overnight care to relieve family caregivers
• Arranged on a regular or as-needed schedule

What Alberta Blue Cross CDHCI Does NOT Cover

It's important to understand the boundaries of CDHCI funding. Alberta Blue Cross does not cover:

• Skilled nursing care (wound care, IV therapy, injections) — provided directly by AHS
• Physiotherapy or occupational therapy
• Medical equipment or supplies
• Medication administration (only reminders are covered)
• Transportation (unless explicitly included in care plan)
• Hours beyond your AHS-approved allocation — these are private pay

How to Access Alberta Blue Cross CDHCI Funding in Calgary

Accessing CDHCI funding through Alberta Blue Cross in Calgary requires three things:

1. An AHS assessment confirming your home care needs — call 811 to request one
2. AHS CDHCI approval — tell your caseworker you want to use the CDHCI program
3. A registered CDHCI provider — choose Sagewell Home Care, registered with Alberta Blue Cross

Once these three elements are in place, your care begins and Alberta Blue Cross handles all payment directly with Sagewell. You never see an invoice.

Why Families Choose Sagewell for Alberta Blue Cross CDHCI in Calgary

As a registered CDHCI provider authorized with Alberta Blue Cross, Sagewell Home Care offers Calgary families:

• Seamless billing — we submit all claims to Alberta Blue Cross on your behalf
• Zero paperwork for families — no receipts, no claims, no administration
• Multilingual caregivers — Punjabi, Hindi, Arabic, Tagalog, Urdu, French and more
• All Calgary zones — NW, NE, SW, SE, Airdrie, Canmore, Grande Prairie
• Fast placement — caregivers typically placed within 24–48 hours
• Free eligibility check — call us before your AHS assessment for guidance

Alberta Blue Cross CDHCI vs. Standard Alberta Blue Cross Coverage: Key Differences

Many Calgary families are confused about the relationship between Alberta Blue Cross CDHCI and a standard Alberta Blue Cross plan. Here is how they differ:

Common Reasons Calgary Families Lose CDHCI Funding — and How to Prevent It

Once CDHCI funding is approved, most families never encounter issues. However, there are some situations that can interrupt or reduce your funded hours — being aware of them helps you avoid gaps in care.

• Hospitalization longer than 30 days — Extended hospital stays may trigger a review of your AHS assessment and funding status. Notify your AHS caseworker and Sagewell if your loved one is admitted to hospital.
• Change of address — Moving to a different Calgary neighbourhood (or province) triggers a new AHS assessment. Give as much notice as possible to avoid a gap in service.
• Switching providers without notifying AHS — To switch from one CDHCI provider to Sagewell, contact your AHS caseworker first. The transition should be smooth — typically 2–3 business days to process.
• Unused hours do not roll over — Your monthly CDHCI allocation expires at the end of each month. Unused hours are not banked. Schedule care consistently throughout the month to maximize your approved allocation.
• Annual reassessment — AHS reviews CDHCI clients annually. Ensure your care plan accurately reflects your current needs so funding is maintained at the appropriate level.

If you have questions about your CDHCI status or need help navigating an AHS reassessment, contact Sagewell — we guide families through this process regularly.

Alberta Blue Cross CDHCI and Post-Hospital Discharge Care

One of the most time-sensitive situations where CDHCI matters most is post-hospital discharge. When a Calgary senior is discharged from Foothills Medical Centre, Peter Lougheed, Rockyview General, or South Health Campus, the transition home can be precarious without proper support.

The good news: many patients are assessed by AHS before they leave hospital and CDHCI funding can be activated immediately upon discharge. Here's what to do:

1. Ask the hospital's discharge planning team to request an AHS home care assessment before discharge.
2. Tell the caseworker you want to use the CDHCI program and choose Sagewell as your provider.
3. Call Sagewell at 403-990-9821 as soon as you have a discharge date — we can have a caregiver ready at the door on day one.

If the assessment cannot happen before discharge, Sagewell can begin care privately and transition to CDHCI billing once AHS approval is received. Learn more about post-discharge home care in Calgary →

Frequently Asked Questions