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Medical Benefits in the Pilot Areas

Last updated on September 19, 2024

Families accessing School-Aged Extended Therapies (SAET) who live in Prince Rupert/Haida Gwaii, Smithers, Terrace, Kelowna or the surrounding areas where pilot family connections centres (FCC) are located now have two choices on how to access services and supports:

  • Through their local pilot family connections centre (FCC)
  • Through their SAET benefits

No matter what choice is made, all children and youth are eligible to access the Infant Development Program or Aboriginal Infant Development Program and Supported Child Development or Aboriginal Supported Child Development.

Apply for At Home Program Medical Benefits in a Pilot Area

If you live in the areas in and around Prince Rupert/Haida Gwaii, Smithers, Terrace or Kelowna the process for applying for At Home Program Medical Benefits is outlined below. These four areas are piloting a new approach to service delivery. This process is different than in other parts of the province.

Step 1:  Go to a family connections centre (FCC) to discuss your child or youth’s need for medical equipment, supplies, or therapy. The FCC will conduct functional assessments with your child or youth.

Step 2: With help from a doctor or other appropriate medical professional complete the At Home Program Application.

Step 3: Return to the FCC with the completed At Home Program Application along with proof of residency and identification for you and your child. The FCC will submit your documentation to the At Home Medical Benefits Program on your behalf.

Step 4: Parents are sent a letter with the final decision. Families that are eligible for the At Home Program Medical Benefits will be invited to schedule an orientation session with an At Home Program team member.

Step 5: Review the At Home Program Medical Benefits Guide for Pilot Areas. Work with your child or youth’s care team to apply for the specific pieces of equipment or benefits.

Can a family switch the way they access services?

Yes, children and youth can switch between programs during the pilot at any time, but they can only switch back to individualized SAET funding once.

If a family chooses to receive SAET funding, they can access services through the pilot FCC that are not an eligible expense under the SAET benefit (e.g., behavioural consultants) if they meet the eligibility requirements. If a family chooses not to receive SAET funding, they may still be able to receive funding for massage and chiropractor.

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Choice 1: Child or youth is accessing SAET  and the family wants to switch to FCC services.

Pause individualized SAET benefit and begin accessing FCC services:

  • Families can decide to pause their SAET funding and switch to receiving services through the FCC.
  • Families can self-refer to the FCC and may choose to discuss potential service options with the FCC before making the switch.
  • To switch, families must inform the At Home Program that they want to pause their SAET funding by submitting a Notice to End School-Aged Extended Therapies to the Medical Benefits Program Office.
  • Families schedule an appointment with the local FCC and, if the child or youth is receiving more than one service, they work with a Primary Support Coordinator to begin the process of identifying current information and service needs.
 

Choice 2: Child or youth is accessing FCC services and the family wants to switch to SAET.

Resuming or starting SAET and leaving FCC services:

  • Families accessing services through the FCC can resume SAET at any time.
  • The family can resume funding by notifying their FCC primary support coordinator and submitting Notice to Resume School-Aged Extended Therapies to the Medical Benefits Program Office.
  • Once the notice to resume form has been received and confirmed, access to the SAET will begin on the first day of the month after receiving notification.

For more information to help guide your family’s decision please visit the website outlining the pilot approach to services for children and youth with support needs in BC: Piloting a CYSN service approach in four communities

For more information:

Complaints & Appeals

If you disagree with an At Home Program decision or feel that you have been treated unfairly, you can make a complaint or appeal.