The CDHCI program Alberta uses to fund in-home care lets AHS-assessed residents choose their own authorized provider — personal care, homemaking, and respite — billed directly to Alberta Blue Cross. Sagewell is a fully CDHCI-authorized provider in Calgary: we handle all billing so you pay nothing for funded hours.
The CDHCI program Alberta (Client Directed Home Care Invoicing) is an Alberta Health Services program that funds home care for eligible residents — personal care, homemaking, and respite — with $0 out-of-pocket cost. Under the CDHCI program Alberta residents choose any authorized provider; AHS pays that provider through Alberta Blue Cross at $33.61/hr. To access the CDHCI program, call 811 to request a free home care assessment.
Already assessed? Call Sagewell at 403-990-9821 — we're CDHCI-authorized and can start within 24–48 hours.
CDHCI Program Alberta — 2026 Key Facts
Rate set by Alberta Health Services. Sagewell bills Alberta Blue Cross directly — no invoices to families.
The CDHCI program Alberta administers — short for Client Directed Home Care Invoicing — funds home care for eligible Albertans through Alberta Health Services (AHS), covering personal care, homemaking, and respite services at no out-of-pocket cost. Unlike traditional home care, the CDHCI program Alberta delivers client-directed choice: instead of being assigned a government caregiver, you select your own authorized provider — like Sagewell Home Care — and AHS pays your provider directly through Alberta Blue Cross.
Once you are approved by AHS and your care plan is in place, you simply choose Sagewell Home Care as your provider. We handle all billing with Alberta Blue Cross directly — there is no paperwork burden on your family, and no out-of-pocket cost for your funded hours.
CDHCI covers personal care, homemaking, and respite services. The number of funded hours is determined by your AHS care assessment.
Get Started with CDHCICall 811 (Health Link) — Request a free home care needs assessment from Alberta Health Services. An AHS care coordinator will evaluate your care needs.
Receive your care plan — If eligible, AHS will provide a funded care plan with approved hours for personal care, homemaking, and/or respite.
Choose Sagewell Home Care — Contact us at 403-990-9821. We are a registered CDHCI provider and will begin your care within 24–48 hours.
Already have AHS approval? Call us now and we can start care as soon as tomorrow.
The CDHCI program funds three categories of home care. The number of hours in each category is determined by your AHS assessment.
Assistance with activities of daily living including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility support. Our caregivers help seniors maintain dignity and independence at home.
CDHCI CoveredLight housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, grocery errands, and general tidying. We help maintain a safe and comfortable home environment so the person in your care can focus on living well.
CDHCI CoveredTemporary relief for family caregivers. Whether you need a few hours or a few days, our caregivers step in so you can rest, recharge, and take care of your own wellbeing.
CDHCI CoveredNeed more care? Sagewell also offers private-pay services beyond your CDHCI funded hours — including dementia care, overnight care, live-in care, and disability support. View all services →
We are a registered Alberta Blue Cross CDHCI provider. We handle all billing with AHS on your behalf — no paperwork, no stress for your family.
We match caregivers by language and cultural background. Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, and English-speaking caregivers are available — because care is better when it feels like home.
Once your AHS plan is in place, we can begin care within one to two days. No lengthy wait times, no complex onboarding. Just care that starts when you need it.
Every Sagewell caregiver undergoes criminal background checks, professional reference verification, and ongoing training. We are fully insured and WCB compliant.
We never just assign a caregiver. We have a real conversation with you and your family to understand preferences, routines, and what matters most to the person in your care.
Our Calgary-based team responds the same day. You will always speak to a real person — never a call centre. We are your neighbours, and we treat your family like ours.
CDHCI is available to any Alberta resident who has been assessed by AHS and identified as needing home care support. Eligibility is based on need — not income.
How to request an AHS assessment:
Call 811 (Health Link Alberta) and ask for a home care needs assessment. No doctor's referral is required. You or a family member can self-refer. Calgary residents can also call AHS Home Care directly at 403-943-1920.
Sagewell is authorized to provide CDHCI care throughout the Calgary AHS zone. We serve all four quadrants and surrounding communities.
Many families aren't sure whether to use CDHCI funding or pay privately. Here's how they differ.
| Factor | CDHCI (Funded) | Private Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Who pays | Alberta Blue Cross (AHS funds) | You / family |
| Out-of-pocket cost | $0 for authorized hours | Hourly rate applies |
| AHS assessment required | Yes | No |
| Choice of provider | Yes — you choose Sagewell | Yes |
| Monthly hours limit | Set by AHS assessment | No limit |
| Services covered | Personal care, homemaking, respite | Any service offered |
| Can be combined | Yes — CDHCI covers authorized hours; private pay tops up additional hours or services | |
Many Sagewell families use CDHCI for their AHS-authorized hours and pay privately for additional hours when needed.
Most Calgary families are surprised to learn that CDHCI-funded care costs them nothing for approved hours. Here's how the numbers work.
For all hours within your AHS-authorized care plan. Alberta Blue Cross pays Sagewell directly on your behalf.
The rate AHS sets and pays for CDHCI home care in Alberta — publicly established and applied province-wide.
Once your AHS care plan is in place, Sagewell typically begins your first visit within one to two business days.
AHS completes your assessment and sets up your care plan with an approved monthly hour allocation.
You choose Sagewell Home Care as your CDHCI provider and sign a short client agreement — no lock-in period.
Sagewell delivers your care visits and submits invoices each month directly to Alberta Blue Cross at the AHS rate.
You receive a monthly visit summary. No invoice, no payment, no claims — the financial transaction is entirely between Sagewell and Alberta Blue Cross.
Many families don't know what to expect from the AHS assessment — and some understate their needs, which results in fewer funded hours than they're entitled to. Here's exactly what happens.
You call 811 or 403-943-1920
No doctor's referral needed. You or a family member can self-refer. Tell them you're requesting a home care needs assessment. Calgary AHS usually schedules within 1–3 weeks.
An AHS coordinator visits your home
A trained AHS case manager comes to your home for 45–90 minutes. They assess mobility, personal care needs, cognitive status, safety risks, and caregiver support available in the family.
AHS determines your care plan
Based on the assessment, AHS assigns a monthly hour allocation across personal care, homemaking, and/or respite. You receive a written care plan within a few days.
You choose Sagewell as your provider
Once your plan is approved, call us at 403-990-9821. We will handle the paperwork, caregiver matching, and scheduling — you're under no obligation to accept the provider AHS suggests.
Care starts within 24–48 hours
Your first caregiver visit is booked, scheduled around your preferences. Alberta Blue Cross is notified automatically — no further action required from your family.
Not sure what to say at your assessment?
Call Sagewell at 403-990-9821 before your AHS appointment. We can help you prepare — there's no obligation to use our services afterward.
CDHCI is not just for general seniors care — it applies across a range of conditions and life situations. Here's how it works in practice for Calgary families.
Dementia caregivers are among the most likely to qualify for significant CDHCI hours — both personal care and respite components. AHS assessors weigh safety risks like wandering and medication errors heavily. Sagewell caregivers experienced in dementia are available. Dementia care →
Respite care is one of the three CDHCI-covered services. If you are a family caregiver who is burning out, your family member may qualify for funded respite hours that give you regular, scheduled breaks without any out-of-pocket cost. Respite care →
If a family member is being discharged from Foothills, Rockyview, or another Calgary hospital, AHS can fast-track a home care assessment so CDHCI-funded care begins the day they come home. Sagewell can start within 24 hours of your call. Post-hospital care →
Seniors who need help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, or homemaking frequently qualify for substantial CDHCI hours — particularly when they live alone or have mobility limitations. AHS eligibility is based on need, not age or income. Senior care →
Under CDHCI you have the right to choose your own caregiver — including one who shares your language and cultural background. Sagewell serves many Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu-speaking families in Calgary NE and NW under their CDHCI-funded plans. Punjabi caregivers →
Adults with physical disabilities who need help with personal care and daily activities may qualify for CDHCI funding at any age — not just seniors. If you or a family member has a condition limiting independent living, an AHS assessment can determine your funded entitlement.
If a family member is being discharged from Foothills Medical Centre, Peter Lougheed Centre, Rockyview General Hospital, or South Health Campus, AHS can fast-track a home care assessment so CDHCI services begin immediately after discharge. Sagewell can typically arrange placement within 24 hours — preventing a gap between hospital and home.
Learn about post-discharge home care in Calgary →AHS home care in Calgary is delivered through Alberta Health Services — the provincial health authority that coordinates funded care for eligible Albertans. When an AHS case manager approves you for home care hours, those hours can be used with a CDHCI-authorized provider like Sagewell, at no out-of-pocket cost to your family. Full guide: AHS home care in Calgary →
The CDHCI program is AHS's way of giving Calgary families choice in who provides their home care. Rather than being assigned a provider, you select an authorized agency — and AHS funds the hours through Alberta Blue Cross. Sagewell bills directly, so your family never handles the paperwork or payments.
To access AHS home care in Calgary, call Health Link at 811 to request an assessment, or contact Sagewell and we will help you navigate the process from start to first care visit.
Common questions from Calgary families about the CDHCI program and how Sagewell Home Care works within it.
Have more questions? Visit our full FAQ page or contact us directly.
Whether you already have AHS approval or are just starting the process, we are here to help. Call us today and we will guide you every step of the way.
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