Effective July 1, 2026, patients waiting in hospital for long-term care placement will pay the same accommodation fee they would pay in a long-term care facility.

Patients who are designated as Alternate Level of Care and have been assessed and approved for long-term care will be required to pay the long-term care accommodation fee while they wait for placement.

Alternate Level of Care patients no longer need hospital-level treatment but remain in acute care because a more appropriate care setting is not yet available.

Under the previous approach, individuals waiting in acute care for long-term care did not pay accommodation fees, despite receiving the same level of care they would receive in a long-term care facility. This includes nursing care, medication management, meals, and assistance with daily activities. The approach reduced the incentive to move from hospital to long-term care and contributed to acute care beds being unavailable for patients who need hospital treatment.

Aligning accommodation fees across care settings supports fair and consistent treatment of patients and helps improve access to acute care services across the territory.

This change applies only to patients who have been formally assessed as eligible for long-term care by the Territorial Admissions Committee.

Quote

“This change reflects the reality that patients waiting in hospital for long-term care are receiving the same level of care they would receive in a long-term care facility. Aligning accommodation fees helps make better use of hospital beds and improves access to care for people who need acute treatment. These decisions are part of our broader review of every patient’s journey and are intended to improve support for healing with a focus on the long term fiscal sustainability of our health system.”

  - Lesa Semmler, Minister of Health and Social Services

Quick facts

• The long-term care accommodation fee is currently $34 per day, or $1,021 per month.
• Long-term care accommodation rates are adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index, with the next adjustment effective May 1, 2027.
• The policy applies only to Alternate Level of Care patients who have been approved for long-term care placement by the Territorial Admissions Committee (TAC).
• The change will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Related Links:

• Long-Term Care in the NWT

For media requests, please contact:
Andrew Wind
Manager, Communications
Department of Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
HSSmedia@gov.nt.ca