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Overview
Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) authorizers are health care professionals who are trained and approved to authorize funding for AADL benefits. Authorizers also play an important role as the client’s key guide throughout the program.
Typically, an authorizer is a registered nurse, physical therapist or occupational therapist who works in a community health care facility, hospital, continuing care centre or home care program.
Benefits such as hearing aids, prosthetics, orthotics, oxygen and therapeutic shoes are assessed and authorized directly by staff at an AADL-approved vendor. These benefits may require a physician prescription before the vendor assessment.
Become an authorizer
Health-care professionals who want to become an AADL authorizer must:
- be a resident of Alberta
- be a health professional and presently registered in, and in good standing with one of these professional associations:
- Registered nurse – College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta
- Occupational therapist – Alberta College of Occupational Therapists
- Physiotherapist – Physiotherapy Alberta College and Association (Physiotherapy Alberta)
- Speech-language pathologist – Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
- have a minimum of 1,700 hours (approximately one year full-time equivalent) professional clinical experience. Exceptions may be allowed with the prior approval of AADL
- be employed as a health-care professional for a minimum of 2 days per week (0.4 full-time equivalent)
- not be in a position to directly or indirectly engage in the sale and supply of a program benefit – health-care professionals must disclose any potential conflict of interest to AADL for evaluation
- meet the entrance criteria of the specific AADL benefit they wish to authorize, when applicable, and possess the specialized training required to authorize specific AADL benefits as noted in the benefit sections of the AADL program manual
- complete Module 1 online and attend an AADL authorizer training course
Note: AADL has the right to refuse to grant AADL authorizer status.
Application process
Once approved, health-care professionals will be able to authorize AADL benefits in their primary product range:
- After confirming you meet the authorizer eligibility, complete online Module 1, fill out an AADL Authorizer Application form and submit the form to AADL.
- AADL will review your application and - if it is approved - your name will be added to the AADL authorizer training waitlist. You will be sent a registration email when the next course is available.
- Complete the AADL authorizer training course.
- After successfully completing the AADL authorizer training course, which includes passing the exam, you will be issued an AADL authorizer number. This process may take up to 20 business days.
- After you receive your AADL authorizer number, you will be contacted by Alberta Blue Cross with your online health portal registration information.
Product ranges
Product ranges for AADL authorizers are separated into 2 categories:
- Primary product ranges are assigned to new authorizers once they successfully complete the AADL authorizer training course.
- Secondary product ranges require a separate application form and have special criteria that must be met.
For detailed information on product ranges, see the AADL General Policy and Procedures manual
Primary product ranges
The registered nurse primary product range has these elements:
- back and abdominal and inguinal hernia supports
- catheters
- homecare beds and transfer aids
- incontinence briefs and diapers
- lifters
- ostomy supplies
- small bathing and toileting, including stationary commodes
The occupational therapist/physiotherapist primary product range has these elements:
- back and abdominal and inguinal hernia supports
- homecare beds and transfer aids
- large bathing and toileting aids
- lifters
- small bathing and toileting aids
- specialized pediatric equipment
- walking aids
Secondary product range application forms
- Burn Garments Authorizer Application
- Compression Garments Authorizer Application
- Incontinence Supplies Authorizer Application
- Manual Wheelchair and Seating (Level A) Authorizer Application
- Seating Authorizer Application – Level B & C
- Speech Generating Communication Devices Service Centre Application
- Speech Generating Communication Devices Authorizer Application
- Power Wheelchair Authorizer Application
Account suspension
Authorizers who do not submit an authorization through the Alberta Blue Cross online health portal at least once within a 20-month period will have their authorizer account suspended and they will be unable to access the online health portal.
- To reactivate a suspended account, authorizers must reapply to AADL using the Authorizer Application form and retake the AADL authorizer training course.
The authorizer also has the option to request to challenge the AADL authorizer training course final exam and receive an exemption from attending the in-person or virtual part of the course.
- Upon successful completion of the challenge exam, their authorizer number will be reinstated.
- To challenge the exam, the authorizer must contact AADL at [email protected].
Authorizers who have had their Alberta Blue Cross online health portal account suspended due to inactivity will also have any secondary product range benefit removed from their approved product ranges.
- Authorizers who have submitted an authorization for a benefit under a secondary product range at least once within 24 months prior to the date of reapplication may have their secondary product ranges reinstated, at AADL’s discretion.
- Otherwise, authorizers must reapply for any secondary product range they wish to add to their list of product ranges.
Change of information
If you have changed your place of employment, employment address, phone number, fax number or your name, you must notify Alberta Blue Cross.