Alberta Aids to Daily Living, or AADL, is a Government of Alberta program that provides financial assistance to residents who have a long-term disability, chronic illness, or terminal illness. Whether it’s for basic medical equipment, supplies, or devices, Albertan citizens can get 75% to 100% coverage through the program.
To be eligible, individuals must meet certain requirements and be assessed by a medical professional. Examples of AADL benefits include mobility aids, custom-made footwear, and seating devices.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Alberta Aids to Daily Living eligibility and benefits, keep on reading.
Key Takeaways
- AADL is a program that helps cover the cost of medical equipment for Albertans with a lasting disability or illness.
- Eligible recipients pay a quarter of their benefits, up to a maximum of $500 per year.
- To receive AADL, you must be assessed and authorized for benefits by a healthcare professional or specialty vendor.
- The program covers equipment such as hearing aids, homecare beds, wheelchairs, and much more.
Who qualifies for AADL?
Here are the eligibility requirements for AADL, per the Province of Alberta.
- Be an Alberta resident with a valid Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan card.
- Have a long-term disability, chronic illness, or terminal illness (6 months or longer).
- Be ineligible to receive the same or comparable coverage through another source, such as private health insurance, Veterans Affairs, Workers' Compensation Board, or non-insured health benefits for First Nations and Inuit.
If you check off all 3 of the above criteria, you must get a clinical assessment by a certified healthcare professional. As such, the equipment, supplies, and devices you’re eligible for will be identified based on the doctor’s assessment.
AADL hearing aid eligibility
If eligible, Alberta residents may receive financial aid towards the initial purchase, replacement, or repair of their hearing aids.
Different age and income brackets have different eligibility requirements for hearing aid coverage with the AADL. Here are the criteria.
| Age | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | 2 hearing aids per 5 years, with proof of hearing loss |
| 18 - 24 | 2 hearing aids per 5 years, with proof of hearing loss and enrollment in full-time post-secondary education |
| 18 - 64 (low income) | 2 hearing aids or 1 personal listening device per 5 years, with proof of hearing loss and low income |
| 65+ (low income) | 2 hearing aids or 1 personal listening device per 5 years, with proof of hearing loss and low income |
| 65+ (high income) | 1 hearing aid or one personal listening device per 5 years, with proof of hearing loss |
Homecare bed eligibility criteria
The doctor or nurse who conducts your health assessment will decide whether or not you’re eligible for a homecare bed through the AADL program. Beyond being an Alberta resident with a valid health card, eligibility for a homecare bed entails:
- Requiring a bed due to a long-term disability, chronic illness, or terminal illness.
- Spending 80% of your time in bed and/or being in end-stage palliative care.
What benefits are covered by AADL?
Some things you may get coverage for through AADL are:
- hearing aid and FM equipment,
- homecare bed,
- oxygen,
- custom-made shoes/footwear,
- burn garments,
- compression socks/garments,
- wheelchair and accessories,
- prosthetic devices,
- vision aids, and
- more.
Some things you will not be covered on include:
- foot orthotics,
- glasses,
- prescription medication, and
- dental procedures or dentures.
For a full list of covered items, please head to the AADL - Benefits covered page.
AADL cost sharing
To receive the AADL benefits, clients are required to pay 25% for the equipment or services they receive, up to a maximum of $500 per family on an annual basis.
Exemptions are provided to those who have low-income or already receiving income assistance from the Alberta government.
Additional exemptions exist:
- Seniors aren’t required to pay the cost-share on prosthetics or orthotics.
- Respiratory benefits don’t have a cost-share requirement either.
If you’re eligible, you can apply for the cost share exemption by filling out the Application For Cost Share Exemption form.
How to access AADL
The first step in your AADL application is to get an assessment done by an authorized healthcare professional or specialty vendor. In this stage, the doctor or nurse will pinpoint what kind of equipment and supplies you might need and whether you’re eligible for AADL coverage.
They then submit your authorization to Alberta Blue Cross, and, once approved, you must buy your equipment and supplies from AADL-approved vendors. Some of the approved vendors are pharmacies, footwear providers, and medical supply stores. Any recycled equipment, which is provided by Eco Medical, belongs to the AADL program.
Do you qualify for Alberta Aids to Daily Living?
In this post, we covered the criteria and benefits for Alberta Aids to Daily Living.
What do you think about this program? Have you or someone you know received these benefits? Let us know below and share this post with family and friends who may be eligible.
FAQ
What is AADL?
AADL stands for Alberta Aids to Daily Living. It’s a program run by the Alberta government to financially support eligible residents who have a long-term disability, chronic illness, or terminal illness, and require medical equipment.
What is the Alberta Aids to Daily Living eligibility criteria?
To be eligible for AADL, the applicant must be an Alberta resident with a valid health card, have a long-term disability or illness as determined by a healthcare professional, and be ineligible to receive comparable coverage through other funding sources.
What does AADL in Alberta cover?
AADL provides financial assistance for equipment and services that help with daily living for individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions. Equipment such as wheelchairs, walking aids, vision aids, hearing aids, respiratory equipment and supplies are covered by this program.
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