Healthcare in Ontario is funded by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), a government-run health insurance plan.
OHIP-funded home care services are managed by Ontario Health atHome.
Ontario Health atHome was formerly known as:
Many people in the Ontario healthcare sector refer to home care management as “LHIN” (pronounced "Lynn") to this day, as the term was used for a very long time.
Each individual enrolled in home care will be assigned a care coordinator who works with various care providers of the home care services.
The care coordinator must be kept up-to-date as the needs of the individual with ALS change.
The care coordinator determines the amount of home care hours that are to be allocated. This allocation of hours will increase as the patient's needs increase. 28 hours per week is about as high as it ever gets; 21 hours per week is more common.
The care coordinator will determine a suitable schedule based on the hours allocated to the patient. The patient is able to indicate their preferences to the care coordinator.
The Ontario provincial government has contracts with various care companies. The care coordinator engages with these companies to fill the schedule.
The Family-Managed Home Care (FMHC) program is an alternative program for patients with exceptional needs. Rarely, ALS patients will qualify for FMHC.
Under FMHC, the individual with power of attorney (POA) for property is given money from the government which is to be spent on home care. The amount of money provided is calculated by multiplying the allocation of care hours by a fixed hourly rate.
FMHC has strict rules about who can provide suitable care services. Family members, other individuals in the same household as the patient, and unqualified individuals are not eligible to receive payments through FMHC.
The Assistive Devices Program (ADP) is an Ontario government program that provides funding for individuals with long-term disabilities, such as ALS. Devices such as wheelchairs and other equipment are covered by ADP.
Individuals receiving enteral feeding can apply for funding through the Assistive Devices Program (ADP). In order to qualify for funding, you must require enteral feeding to maintain nutrition, require tube feedings for 6 hours or more per day, and you must not live in a long term care home.
Applications for ADP funding can be submitted by your doctor. Funding will help cover the cost of supplies however, typically not 100% of the cost. If you qualify, you can receive up to $549.75 for a portable feeding pump or $355.50 for a stationary pump as well as $1500 per year paid in 4 instalments. Payments are received every 3 months.
If you are receiving home care nursing services through Home and Community Care Support Services Champlain (HCCSSC), your home care nurse can order some feeding supplies for you. This can include feed bags, tubing, and connectors. Supplies ordered by the nurse will be supplied at no cost. HCCSSC can also help facilitate the acquisition of a feed pump which the patient typically pays a monthly rental fee for. The home care nurse cannot supply feed formula.
If you are a veteran you can also apply for funding for enteral feed supplies through Veterans Affairs Canada. Please note, if you are receiving funding through Veterans Affairs, you no longer qualify for funding through the ADP program.
Health services in Ontario, such as transportation for the disabled, stores that sell adaptive equipment, care facilities, and so forth can be found using The Health Line.
Ontario has several ALS clinics; some accept patients outside of their typical service region.