FAQs

Getting Started

• This seems like so much work. Can I really manage all of this?

  We know Self Managed Care does take effort, particularly to begin with and then to a lesser degree on a monthly basis. Ultimately, you will need to decide for yourself, but we know a lot of clients have taken this on and are happy with the outcome. Just remember to take it on a piece at a time, and you will get through it!

• How do I get started?

  Please contact your Home Care Case Manager. They will be able to help take next steps for Self Managed Care.

• I found a daytime caregiver, but have not found anyone to help in the evening. Can I get Home Care vendor support services for those hours?

  Self Managed Care and vendor or rural HCA support services cannot be used at the same time.

• Can you recommend some private care agencies that I can use with my SMC?

  AHS cannot make recommendations regarding the hiring of caregivers or private agencies.

• What are some back-up plans that you would recommend and why is this important?

  Consider having more than one caregiver or making arrangements with a caregiving agency. You cannot call on Home Care to provide replacement caregivers when your regular caregivers are not available.

• Will I still have access to PT/OT/Social Work (Professional Services)?

  The Professional support services available through Home Care remain available to you on Self Managed Care. Please be aware that you CANNOT use your Self Managed Care funds to purchase professional support services such as Physical Therapy or Massage Therapy. You are permitted to hire an LPN if your activities of daily living support this need. Any difference between the Self Managed Care LPN rate and the rate that caregiver is charging you is your responsibility.

• I want to find out about my friend’s or family member’s Self Managed Care. How do I do that?

  Due to Alberta Health Services’ legal obligation to protect a client’s privacy, we cannot have a conversation with you about someone else’s care unless you are the legal representative (see above) or you have written permission from the client to speak with representatives from Home Care. The client’s Case Manager can provide you with the appropriate forms to be completed.

Financial

• I’ve already hired a caregiver. Can my funds be back-dated?

  Funds cannot be back-dated to cover costs, if you have been paying privately for care.

• Can I pay my family member to provide my care?

  Family members are not permitted to be paid caregivers through Self Managed Care.

• I would like to travel out of my Zone for longer than 4 weeks. Can I do this?

  You can travel for longer than 4 weeks, but you cannot use your Self Managed Care funds to pay your caregiver’s salary for more than 4 weeks. Any time in excess of 4 weeks in a calendar year for which you are travelling and paying your caregiver will need to be paid from your private funds.

• My Self Managed Care funds were not deposited at the beginning of the month, as usual. Why?

  Self Managed Care funds can be placed on hold for a number of reasons. The most common reasons are:  

  • The signed Self Managed Care Agreement was not returned to the Self Managed Care office.
  • The reconciliation (audit) documents were not received by the Self Managed Care office.
  • The client is in hospital, or was in hospital and the Self Managed Care office was not informed of their return home.
  • There has been a “breach of contract” as detailed in the Self Managed Care Agreement, and funding is on hold while Home Care investigates and works with the Client/Delegate/Sponsor Manager to resolve.
  • The client is travelling out of Zone for longer than the approved 4 weeks/calendar year.
• Can I use my SMC funds for overnight respite?

  You cannot use your SMC funds in any residential or communal care setting – this includes overnight respite care.

• Do you give me extra money to cover vacation or termination notice pay?

  You will not get extra funds to manage these sorts of costs. You must plan your usage of funds to cover your obligations as specified by Alberta Employment Standards.

Legal

• Can I use Self Managed Care in a lodge, group home or private assisted living setting?

  Self Managed Care is not permitted in residential or communal care settings.

• I want to hire someone from out of country. Am I allowed and how do I do this?

  Self Managed Care does not have any limitation around this practice. Please see the relevant information on hiring temporary foreign workers available through the Government of Canada. Self Managed Care is not able to help with this process.
  
  https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers.html

• I’ve hired a caregiver who is operating as a sole proprietor (running their own small business). Is this allowed?

  Yes, please review the information related to hiring an agency for more information on how to approach this situation. You may need to check with Revenue Canada to determine if your caregiver would be considered a direct employee, or a contracted employee. A contracted employee is another way to describe someone who is acting as a small independent business.

• Can I use my SMC for a live-in caregiver? If so, how do I manage room and board?

  If you are hiring a live-in caregiver, please review the associated rules from Alberta Employment Standards, and from the Government of Canada regarding Temporary Foreign Workers. If you are allowed to charge room and board under the relevant rules, this must be managed separately from the Self Managed Care funds which are for the sole purpose of paying wages. Please be aware that in some cases, you are not permitted to charge room and board costs. If these charges are permitted, you will need to look at Alberta Employment Standards to determine the maximum charges and minimum wages permitted.

• Where are things at with my contract start or renewal?

  Please check with your Case Manager. Setting up Self Managed Care is a multi-stepped process and does take time. Efforts are made to ensure unnecessary delays are not part of this process. One way that you can help to ensure timely progress through these steps is to make sure you send all requested documentation back promptly.

• Why do I need an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) or Trusteeship?

  If you are taking care of all aspects of your Self Managed Care, you do not need this document. If however, you are getting help from a friend or family member with Self Managed Care, that person must have the legal authority to help you manage the Self Managed Care money issued by Alberta Health Services to pay your caregiver. The legal authority to do this is provided through an EPOA that is in effect, or through Trusteeship.

• Why do I need an Enacted Personal Directive or Guardianship for my relative or friend?

  If a person receiving Self Managed Care is able to make decisions for themselves, you do not require this – you will only need the EPOA or Trusteeship (see above). If they are not able to make or understand decisions, however, you are required to have an Enacted Personal Directive or Guardianship. You need one of these documents as you are making decisions regarding the type of care this person receives, where they live and so on. If you are making these decisions for someone other than yourself, even if you are acting on wishes they’ve expressed to you, you must have legal authority to do this. That legal authority is provided by the Enacted Personal Directive or Guardianship.