The provincial government funds special care homes through regional health authorities.

Residents pay an income-tested charge, based on annual reported income from Line 150 of the Income Tax Return, which includes earned interest from bank accounts and investments. Personal assets (land, houses, bank accounts, etc.) are not taken into account in determining the resident charge.

As of October 1, 2008, the resident charge ranges from $962 to $1,827 per month, depending on the resident's income. The Ministry of Health continues to subsidize approximately 80% of the overall province-wide cost of long-term care.

A resident pays the standard resident charge ($962 at October 1) plus 50% of the portion of their income between $1,169 and $2,899.

For married residents (including common-law couples), the couple’s income is combined, divided equally, and then the above formula is applied.

Married residents who live in separate dwellings for reasons beyond their control may choose to complete an Optional Designation Form for the purpose of determining the resident charge. With this designation, only the resident’s income is considered when calculating the charge. It should be noted this option is only of benefit in situations where the resident’s income is lower than that of their spouse.

Choosing this designation does not change a couple’s marital status.

The resident and spouse (if applicable) is required to provide the most recent year's Notice of Assessment(s) from Canada Revenue Agency or Pages 1 to 3 of the Income Tax Return(s) upon admission and annually thereafter.  If income information is not provided, the resident charge will be assessed at the maximum rate.

A resident admitted for temporary care must pay the income-tested resident charge if their stay is more than 60 consecutive days.

In addition to the resident charge, there may be additional costs such as prescription drugs, incontinence supplies, and personal items etc. pursuant to the admission agreement with the long-term care facility and/or the regional health authority.

The resident charges are adjusted quarterly in keeping with any changes to Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits which affects the figures in the above formula.

Individual resident charges are adjusted annually (effective January 1) to take into account any changes in income of the resident and spouse (if applicable) from the previous year.  Resident charges effective January 1, 2008 will be calculated using the 2006 tax return(s).

A request for recalculation of the resident charge may be made at any time by submitting a written request to the Ministry of Health along with supporting documentation.  If the resident charge is recalculated, it will be retroactive to the first day of the month in which the request was submitted.

Questions related to the calculation of resident charges should be directed to the Income Assessment, Operations Unit (Ministry of Health): (306) 787-5023 and (306) 787-3543 (Regina) or 1-800-667-4884 (toll-free).

Questions related to the invoice/statement should be directed to whomever sent it, either the facility or the regional health authority.