Ontario Home Care Guide — 2026
OHIP-Funded vs. Private Home Care in Ontario: What’s the Difference?
Ontario has two parallel home care systems. One is publicly funded through Ontario Health atHome. The other is private. Here is what each covers, how to access both, and how to use them together.
A common misconception is that Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers home care the same way it covers hospital visits or physician appointments. It does not. Publicly funded home care in Ontario flows through a separate system: Ontario Health atHome (formerly known as HCCSS and before that CCAC). Access requires a formal referral and assessment, hours are capped based on allocated resources, and caregiver assignment is not guaranteed. Private home care — like the service Aviora Healthcare provides — runs entirely outside this system, with no referral requirement, no waitlist, and consistent assigned caregivers.
Understanding how both systems work — and how they can be used together — is one of the most important pieces of knowledge an Ontario family can have.
OHIP-Funded vs. Private Home Care: Side-by-Side
| Factor | Ontario Health atHome (Public) | Private Home Care (Aviora) |
|---|---|---|
| How to access | Call 310-2222; referral from hospital or physician | Contact Aviora directly; no referral needed |
| Cost | Free at point of use (government-funded) | Private pay; some insurance coverage available |
| Wait to start | Days to weeks after assessment | 24–48 hours |
| Hours available | Capped; based on assessed need and budget | Flexible; from a few hours to 24-hour live-in |
| Caregiver choice | Assigned; may rotate frequently | Matched; one primary caregiver per client |
| Services covered | Nursing, PSW, physio, OT, social work (if eligible) | Personal support, companionship, dementia, respite, overnight |
| Can combine both? | Yes — many Ontario families use publicly funded care and supplement it with private home care for additional hours and consistency | |
How the Publicly Funded System Works
Ontario Health atHome (OHaH) is the provincial organization responsible for coordinating publicly funded home and community care. To access these services, call 310-2222 (no area code required from anywhere in Ontario). A care coordinator will arrange an assessment in the client's home. Based on this assessment, the coordinator develops a care plan and allocates funded services.
The publicly funded system can cover a range of services: personal support (PSW-level help with bathing, dressing, and daily activities), skilled nursing visits, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and social work. However, hours are allocated based on assessed need within available budgets — not based on how many hours a family wants. For clients with complex needs, funded hours are sometimes insufficient to cover the full care requirement.
Referrals typically come from hospitals (particularly for discharge planning), physicians, or self-referral by calling the number above. Hospital social workers often initiate the OHaH referral before discharge; this is the foundation of our hospital-to-home service.
How Private Home Care Works
Private home care through Aviora Healthcare operates completely independently of the government system. There is no referral required, no assessment intake, and no waitlist. A family calls or contacts us, we conduct a free care consultation, build a care plan, match a caregiver, and services begin — typically within 24 to 48 hours.
Private home care covers the full range of personal support services: bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, mobility assistance, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and companionship. We also provide specialist dementia care, respite and overnight care, and hospice and palliative support.
The key structural difference from public care: the caregiver is matched to the client and stays consistent. This is not a minor operational detail — it is fundamental to the quality of care, especially for clients with dementia or who are resistant to help from unfamiliar people.
Using Both Systems Together
Many Ontario families do not realize that they can use both publicly funded care and private home care simultaneously. There is no conflict between the systems and no rules preventing dual use. A common arrangement looks like this:
- Ontario Health atHome provides a nurse or PSW for specific clinical or ADL tasks on a set schedule
- Aviora Healthcare covers additional hours, companionship, evening care, weekend care, or overnight support
This combination approach allows families to maximize government-funded resources while filling gaps that the public system cannot meet due to hour caps or scheduling constraints. It is also helpful in post-hospital situations where public nursing visits are provided but additional personal support is needed for recovery.
If you are already receiving Ontario Health atHome services and want to explore supplementing with private home care, our care coordinators can help you identify where the gaps are and design a complementary private care plan.
Eligibility and Who Can Access Each
To receive publicly funded home care through Ontario Health atHome, you must:
- Be an Ontario resident with a valid health card
- Have a clinical need that meets the eligibility criteria assessed by a care coordinator
- Live in a setting where home care can be safely delivered
There is no eligibility threshold for private home care. Any Ontario family can contact Aviora Healthcare directly. We serve seniors, adults with disabilities, individuals recovering from illness or surgery, and any family that needs in-home personal support — regardless of age, diagnosis, or location within Ontario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OHIP cover home care in Ontario?
OHIP does not directly pay for home care services. Publicly funded home care in Ontario is provided through Ontario Health atHome (formerly HCCSS/CCAC) and funded by the provincial government — not billed through your OHIP card. Private home care is entirely self-funded, though some private insurance plans cover costs.
How do I access publicly funded home care in Ontario?
To access publicly funded home care in Ontario, call Ontario Health atHome at 310-2222. A care coordinator will assess your needs and determine eligibility. Services are allocated based on assessed need and available resources. Private home care through Aviora Healthcare requires no referral — contact us directly to start within 24 to 48 hours.
What is the wait time for publicly funded home care in Ontario?
Wait times for publicly funded home care through Ontario Health atHome vary by region and service type. Basic personal support may begin within days to weeks after assessment; more specialized nursing services may have longer waits. Private home care through Aviora Healthcare has no waitlist and can start within 24 to 48 hours.
What services does publicly funded home care in Ontario cover?
Publicly funded home care through Ontario Health atHome may include nursing care, personal support (PSW services), physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, and speech language pathology — depending on the assessed need. Hours are limited and allocated based on eligibility criteria. Private home care covers personal support, companionship, dementia care, respite, and overnight care without hour caps.
Can I use both publicly funded and private home care at the same time in Ontario?
Yes. Many Ontario families combine publicly funded care through Ontario Health atHome with private home care to fill gaps in coverage. For example, if publicly funded PSW visits cover mornings, a family might arrange Aviora Healthcare for afternoon companionship, evening support, or overnight care. The two systems operate independently and can be used simultaneously.
Can I choose my caregiver with publicly funded home care in Ontario?
With publicly funded home care through Ontario Health atHome, you generally cannot choose a specific caregiver, and caregiver assignments may change from visit to visit. With private home care through Aviora Healthcare, we match one primary caregiver to your family member based on compatibility and maintain that relationship consistently.
Is private home care in Ontario tax deductible?
Private home care costs in Ontario may qualify as a medical expense for the purposes of the CRA Medical Expense Tax Credit, depending on the nature of services provided. It is advisable to consult a tax professional to confirm eligibility based on your specific situation and the type of care received.
Private home care — no referral needed
Start private home care in Ontario in 24–48 hours
Aviora Healthcare serves families across Ontario with matched caregivers and flexible scheduling. No referral. No waitlist. Book a free 20-minute consultation to discuss your needs.