Funding Resources for Home Care
Below are all of the common funders or payors for home care in BC that are available depending on the circumstance. Government-funded Home Care is available through your local Health Authority. A financial assessment is required to qualify for subsidized service. Individuals may still pay a portion of the cost (per diem) for the services they use each day.- Subsidies are available to qualifying individuals and many people pay nothing for their care.
- Gov funded services are typically limited to 60 hours per month although up to 120 hours per month or higher can be approved for qualifying individuals with high needs and no alternatives.
- Anyone over 120h is emergency waitlisted for LTC placement.
- Gov funded Assisted Living and Long-Term-Care are available as well at subsidized rates with a maximum cost cap.
- CAP Program limits Home-Support Fees paid each month for individuals with earned income
- People who qualify for this funding receive a monthly amount of funds from the government
- This program allows an individual more control over their care circumstances and care team
- This program requires the individual or others to recruit, schedule, pay and complete financial reporting
- People receiving this funding typically have strong family support or other help to organize, oversee and administer the program requirements
- Highly advisable to have strong advocacy or legal representation
- CSIL clients are not able to hire private home care agencies to provide their services in most circumstances
- Our team handles Scheduling and all related communication with their care providers
- We send the pay stubs and provide payroll reports for CSIL clients to pay their care providers
- We provide the tax remittance reports for CRA and financial reports for CSIL compliance
- We provide an electronic portal for the CSIL client, family members and their care providers to view schedules and read each others visit notes
Private Home Care
is usually paid for directly by the client or through their POA or Trustee.
- Attendant-Care Services qualify for tax credits through the CRA
- CommunityPlus sends an annual receipt each year describing our services correctly for easy submission
Extended Health Plans
provided by workplaces very rarely cover any home caregiving or personal care. There is usually an allowance for home nursing visits when authorized by a physician.
Long-Term Care Insurance
is supplemental private pay insurance that pays for covered caregiving services and ADLs.
These policies are rarely encountered.Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD)
authorizes home caregiving and home nursing services for qualifying individuals under 19 years old.
Community Living BC (CLBC) authorizes home caregiving and home nursing services for qualifying individuals 19 years and older. They also fund group homes, community inclusion, day programs and many other supports for qualifying disabled adults. Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC) authorizes care for qualifying individuals who have been injured in a motor vehicle accident.- ICBC pays submarket rates ($43 per hour) for skilled home care services and we have chosen not to work with them directly
- ICBC Clients can pay privately and ICBC will reimburse them up to the authorized amount
- Worksafe generally provides service through a Primary or Alternate Service Provider for each geography.
Pro-tip: All that glitters is not gold. Paying more for care does not mean better quality! Some of the most expensive care providers have the lowest pay rates.