Planned expenditure - How much it costs
https://hellocaremail.com.au/home-care-prices-fall-reporting-fees-becomes-compulsory-aged-care/
"Home care providers have cut their prices following the government’s introduction of compulsory fee reporting on the My Aged Care website, saving the government up to $1 billion."
10 July 2019
and do be aware, that since 27 February 2017, YOU can decide to change your Provider. It is YOUR choice... It might be that you have moved house, moved interstate, or just decided that the current services you were receiving did not match up with Your Expectations... In this CDC (Consumer Directed Care) world, YOU decide whatever it is that YOU want. It is up to your Provider to 'make it happen'; whether they do it themselves or 'broker it out' to another Provider/Private firm...
The government has released a new data table revealing the median cost of common home care services across Australia, which it hopes will act as a carrot to improve service offerings and a stick against unjustified charges.
Richard Colbeck
Older Australians and their families will also be able to get an idea of standard pricing to help them make decisions about whether a provider’s prices are fair, says aged care services minister Richard Colbeck.
The table shows median prices for
The changes to how we pay home care subsidies and supplements to providers will occur in 2 phases. Instead of paying the total in advance, we will pay in arrears for services delivered. We will hold unspent funds for care recipients. This is in line with other Government-funded programs.
“$50,000 Should Not Translate To Just Nine Hours Of Care,” Royal Commission Hears
by Caroline Egan. https://hellocaremail.com.au/home-care-delivered-hours-care-royal-commission/
Home care was under the Royal Commission’s spotlight on Monday, as the second set of hearings began. 19 March 2019
A government committee is considering putting a cap on home care package administration fees amid claims some providers are charging up to 45 per cent on top of service fees. Greens senator Rachael Siewert asked the senate estimates committee sitting on October 24 if home care administration fees were being monitored, saying she had an invoice showing administration fees of 38 per cent, and had heard of figures as high as 45 per cent being charged.
Home Care Providers - Actions you need to take, like NOW...
https://communitycarereview.com.au/sponsoredcontent/covid-19s-double-whammy-for-providers/
08 April 2020
https://communitycarereview.com.au/2020/03/27/technologys-role-in-overhauling-the-aged-care-sector/
Home care providers do need to be aware of this upcoming change...
Improved Payment Arrangements for Home Care
The changes to how we pay home care subsidies to providers will occur in 2 phases. Instead of paying the full subsidy in advance each month, we will pay in arrears for services delivered. The new arrangements are in line with modern business practices and other Government-funded programs. 28 February 2020
CHANGES POSTPONED:
On 28 February 2020, the Government announced Phase 1 of the improvements to payment administration arrangements for home care packages (payment in arrears) would start on 1 June 2020.
On 27 March 2020, the Government announced the implementation of improvements to payment administration arrangements for home care packages would be placed on hold. This is due to the current situation with coronavirus (COVID-19) and the key role of the aged care sector to help combat this virus and support older Australians.
Consultations with the home care sector will help determine when implementation will recommence.
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New standardised home care pricing Schedule
To improve transparency for senior Australians, all home care providers need to publish their pricing information in a new standardised pricing comparability Schedule (the Schedule) on the My Aged Care Service Finder.
"Another key source of confusion is around the mandated requirement by government that all approved providers must publish the prices they charge for certain common care and services in a standard format on My Aged Care, she says.
“Administration and Case Management are no longer separate categories and the model of charging a percentage of a home care package for these is no longer possible,” Ms Poulos says.
“There are two new categories – Package Management and Care Management – that have very clear definitions and requirements to validate charges made to a consumer’s package of care.
“Providers will also be required to attach to the Notice a copy of their full price list or a link to the full price list on their own website.
“Government has indicated that compliance with the new legislation will be monitored for ‘reasonable’ charges however there is no real guidance about what would be considered as ‘reasonable’.“
02 July 2019
Since 1 July 2019 home care providers have needed to publish their prices in a new standardised home care pricing Schedule on the My Aged Care website. This transition to the new pricing structure may be an opportune time to analyse their current pricing policies and determine if they (the Provider) need to change their prices. The Schedule will provide information on the common services and costs under a home care package. This will better support senior Australians to understand and compare home care pricing information, and make a more informed decision about which provider is best placed to deliver your care.
June 2019
TO COMPARE $ PRICES in Home Care
From 1 July 2019 home care providers need to publish their prices in a new standardised home care pricing Schedule on the My Aged Care website. This transition to the new pricing structure may be an opportune time to analyse their current pricing policies and determine if they (the Provider) need to change their prices.
The Schedule will provide information on the common services and costs under a home care package.
This will better support senior Australians to understand and compare home care pricing information, and make a more informed decision about which provider is best placed to deliver your care.
01 July 2019
WHAT TO DO...
STEP 1: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/find-a-provider
STEP 2: Click on "Help at Home"
STEP 3: Select your Suburb
STEP 4: Click on "Home Support Services" to get a list of Providers
OR “Home Care Package” Level 1, 2, 3 or 4
You can then click on the Providers name for their details
OR Just click on COMPARE – up to 3 at a time
and COMPARE ONE PROVIDER $ AGAINST ANOTHER... Just scroll down.
You are looking at:-
Case Management - approximate number of hours per fortnight
Price for Common Services - shown as $ per hour
Other costs:
It's quite an Eye-opener!!!
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http://livestream.ssc.gov.au/health/2november2016/ click on “Launch Webcast”.
Changing Providers and Unspent Funds:
This webinar provided an overview of how consumers will be able to change home care providers as of 27 February 2017 as a result of the Increasing Choice in home care reforms.
It covered:
Step by Step calculation of Unspent Funds for Consumer Directed Care (CDC) Home Care
November 2, 2016
The Department of Health has released a Step by Step guide on how to calculate unspent funds. More detail is required than most expect.
Read the full report
https://agedcare.health.gov.au/sites/g/files/net1426/f/documents/11_2016/mai_example_-_calculation_of_unspent_home_care_amounts_-_.pdf
For those residents entering, or consumers commencing a home care package from 1 July 2014, the following Schedule applies:
Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care: From 20 March 2022
This page provides the latest updates to aged care fees and charges.
[i] Residents in designated remote areas may be asked to pay an additional $1.06 per day.
[ii] This rate applies to residents who enter residential care within this time period but not to those who were already in care prior to this time period. The Maximum Permissible Interest Rate applicable for the calculation of a resident’s daily payments is fixed either at their date of entry to care (for a low means resident) or the date they agree to a room price (for a resident who is not eligible for government assistance with their accommodation costs).
and do remember that the daily care fee IS negiotable.
While you get to say how and when the funds for your care package are spent, they are held by your Home Care Provider. While costs and other elements might vary between different home care providers, they are all required to give you a monthly statement, clearly explaining:
• your available funds (the government’s subsidy plus any co-contribution you might have to pay
• your monthly costs
• what you have spent
• the balance of funds remaining
• any unspent funds must be rolled over from month to month and year to year for as long as you remain in the package.
As a potential Customer, do be aware of what your Home Care Agreement ACTUALLY says: Do Not Sign it until you have had it all explained to you AND YOU UNDERSTAND IT.
A potential Home Care Provider needs to bear in mind when offering your Home Care Agreement:
As a provider of home care you will want to promote your business so that you can compete for customers. But you also have to make sure that you don’t break the law by saying things to consumers that might mislead or confuse them. When you offer home care services to consumers it is important that you present information (whether it be written or verbal) to a consumer accurately, clearly and honestly. This allows consumers the opportunity to make decisions with all the facts. Under the ACL, businesses that do not do this are likely to be engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct.
Misleading and deceptive conduct can include practices such as:
Home Care Agreements need to be clear and easy to understand so that consumers are able to make informed decisions. Make sure that your Home Care Agreements are transparent, in plain language and highlight important terms, especially key information such as:
Example: A term in a Home Care Agreement says “you agree to allow the provider to place a caveat over your home to enable the collection of any unpaid fees”. This would likely be an unfair term as it is not reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the business in relation to government funded home care services and would cause significant detriment to the consumer if it were relied upon.
Download your own copy from the ACCC website:
https://www.accc.gov.au/publications/home-care-services-your-business-rights-obligations
Home care services - your business rights & obligations.
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Note: Some consumers are choosing to spend their built-up funds on one-off capital items or services that offer little or in some cases no margin to Providers. Do remember, that this is Your Choice. That's what CDC (Consumer Directed Care) is. It's YOUR Choice!
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https://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/2018/04/12/key-considerations-when-negotiating-cdc-package-spending/
The Department of Health says the types of care and services provided under a home care package will depend on the person’s assessed care needs.
A package should help older people to stay at home, provide tailored services and cover a person’s care and safety needs.
If a package is used to contribute towards the cost of items within a consumer’s home, the impact on a person’s individual budget, capacity to deliver other care and services and responsibility for any maintenance should be considered, the department says.
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The basic fee for a Home Care Package*, including Consumer Directed Care (CDC), that the service provider may charge is up to $10.54 per person per day - from 1 July 2019.
New standardised home care pricing Schedule
To improve transparency for senior Australians, all home care providers will need to publish their pricing information in a new standardised pricing comparability Schedule (the Schedule) on the My Aged Care Service Finder.
"Another key source of confusion is around the mandated requirement by government that all approved providers must publish the prices they charge for certain common care and services in a standard format on My Aged Care, she says.
“Administration and Case Management are no longer separate categories and the model of charging a percentage of a home care package for these is no longer possible,” Ms Poulos says.
“There are two new categories – Package Management and Care Management – that have very clear definitions and requirements to validate charges made to a consumer’s package of care.
“Providers will also be required to attach to the Notice a copy of their full price list or a link to the full price list on their own website.
“Government has indicated that compliance with the new legislation will be monitored for ‘reasonable’ charges however there is no real guidance about what would be considered as ‘reasonable’.“
02 July 2019
Since 1 July 2019 home care providers need to publish their prices in a new standardised home care pricing Schedule on the My Aged Care website. This transition to the new pricing structure may be an opportune time to analyse their current pricing policies and determine if they (the Provider) need to change their prices. The Schedule will provide information on the common services and costs under a home care package. This will better support senior Australians to understand and compare home care pricing information, and make a more informed decision about which provider is best placed to deliver your care.
1 July 2019
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Aged Care Quality Standards
Update on quality standards
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission 1800 550 552 regarding a Commonwealth-subsidised residential or home-based aged care service
03 January 2020 https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/about-us
Minister Wyatt announced that the Complaints Commissioner and the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency will form part of the New Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission in January 2019. "I am confident the new Commission will better target sub-standard care. It will be a central point to identify failures, highlights quality concerns and have them rectified,” he says.
The Commission replaces the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency and the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner. Combining these functions into one independent agency strengthens the focus on consumers, streamlines regulation, supports better engagement with consumers and providers, and promotes transparency.
The new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission began on January 1st, 2019.
Who do the Act and Rules apply to?
What changes can services and providers expect?
The new Rules look quite different due to the combined functions under the Act. However, while the Rules have combined a number of previously separate legislative instruments, the core processes are preserved.
You can read the new Rules here.
You can also read the fact sheets on key changes to:
26 June 2019
It will have a budget of almost $300 million over four years, employing dozens of additional senior compliance officers. The new Commission will immediately absorb the roles of the current Aged Care Complaints Commissioner and the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency and, from January 2020, also take over the Department of Health's aged-care compliance responsibilities.
Key Changes under the new Commission Act and Rules.
The new commissioners of the Royal Commission in to Aged Care Quality and Safety has written to the nation’s top 100 aged care operators, asking them to self-report on details of their operations. The request for information is the first step in the Royal Commission’s information gathering process. The deadline for providing information is January. Smaller operators will also be contacted, and will be given a later deadline.
The letters mark what will be a huge information-gathering process involving every aged care facility in Australia, and also begins a process of review for all operators of their own individual systems and processes.
08 January 2019
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Home Care Package Calculation of your cost of care form (SA456)
Use this form to give us your income details. We’ll use these details to assess how much you need to pay for a Home Care Package.
You only need to complete this form if you don’t get a means tested income support payment from the Department of Human Services.
18 July 2019
New Aged care means assessment forms
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has released the new Aged Care Calculation of your cost of care (SA486) digital form. Your clients can fill it in online, print and sign it and send it to DHS with their supporting documents. The digital form uses dynamic questions tailored to the customers’ individual circumstances.
26 November 2019
For clients who would prefer to use our simplified paper forms, they are as follows:
These forms are all available on the DHS website. Tips on how to download the digital form can be found here.
Aged care means tests: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/aged-care-means-tests
We assess your financial details to work out how much you need to pay towards aged care.
Customers commencing a Home Care Package don’t need to fill in a form if they get a means tested income support payment from Centrelink or DVA.
Customers entering Residential Care don’t need to fill in a form if they:
It is important to make sure their income and assets are up to date when they enter into care to ensure their assessment can be completed automatically. They can do this by accessing their Centrelink online account or by calling Centrelink on 132 300or DVA on 1800 555 254.
Department of Health
13 August 2019
Be aware too of your Cap thresholds:
20 September 2019
Income Free Area (annual amount) Home Care
Annual Income up to these amounts is excluded from the income test component of the residential means test and the income test in home care. To calculate the equivalent fortnightly income divide by 26.
Income Free Area (single person) $27,463.80
Income Free Area (Couple, Illness separated, single rate) $26,943.80
Income Free Area (Couple, Living together, single rate) $21,294.00
(Relevant to Home Care only)
Income Thresholds (annual amount) Home Care Income Test
Consumers with incomes above these amounts are subject to the second cap when calculating the daily income tested care fee in home care and are also subject to the higher annual cap that applies in Home Care. To calculate the equivalent fortnightly income divide by 26.
Income Threshold (single person) $53,060.80
Income Threshold (Couple, Illness separated, single rate) $52,540.80
Income Threshold (Couple, Living together single rate) $40,586.00
Home Exemption Cap (applies separately to both members of a couple). The net value of the home above this amount is excluded from the value of the resident's assets. $169,079.20
Caps on Income Tested Care Fees in Home Care
First Cap (Daily cap applying on income tested care fees
where the consumer's income does not exceed the income threshold) $15.24
Annual cap - income not exceeding the Income Threshold (Annual cap applying to income tested care fees where the consumer's income does not exceed the income threshold) $5,550.90
Second Cap (Daily cap applying on income tested care fees
where the consumer's income exceeds the income threshold) $30.49
Annual cap - income exceeding the Income Threshold (Annual cap applying to income tested care fees where the consumer's income exceeds the income threshold) $11,101.81
Lifetime Cap on Means Tested Care Fees in Residential Care
and Income Tested Care Fees in Home Care $66,610.90
The Department of Human Services calculate the cap by tallying the care subsidy reductions, (which equals the maximum amount of income tested care fees that we have calculated can be charged for the individual) against the cap.
General Questions: For those residents entering, or consumers who commenced a home care package after 1 July 2014, the following Schedule applies:
Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care: From 20 March 2022
This page provides the latest updates to aged care fees and charges.
[i] Residents in designated remote areas may be asked to pay an additional $1.06 per day.
[ii] This rate applies to residents who enter residential care within this time period but not to those who were already in care prior to this time period. The Maximum Permissible Interest Rate applicable for the calculation of a resident’s daily payments is fixed either at their date of entry to care (for a low means resident) or the date they agree to a room price (for a resident who is not eligible for government assistance with their accommodation costs).
and do remember that the daily care fee IS negiotable.
Does the Government pay the income tested fee once a cap is reached?
Yes. The Government will pay the care recipient’s income tested care fee by way of a subsidy increase to the service after the care recipient has reached a cap.
When will annual caps reset?
In home care, the annual caps are applied at a daily rate and built into the calculation of the daily amount of income tested care fee that a care recipient can be asked to pay. Annual caps reset each year on the anniversary of a care recipient’s entry into aged care. Once this reset occurs the care recipient will be required to pay the income tested care fee until the annual cap is reached once again.
Given the daily application of the annual cap in home care, it is less likely for a care recipient in home care to reach the annual cap within a year. While it is less likely for a care recipient in home care to reach the annual cap within a year, it is possible. Where a care recipient transfers from residential care to a home care package, any means tested care fees paid in residential care in the year that a care recipient moves to a home care package will also count towards the annual cap in home care.
If the annual cap is reached, when are the service’s payments adjusted?
Caps are reconciled as part of monthly claim processing. The care recipient and service will be notified after this process is finalised. This means the care recipient continues to pay an income tested care fee for an interim period after the cap is reached. Any payments made for the part of the month after the cap has been reached (where the subsidy adjustment hasn’t been made yet) will be refunded at the following quarterly review. As noted above though, it will be rare for a care recipient to reach the annual cap due to the daily capping of the income tested care fee.
Do the annual and lifetime caps move with a care recipient if they move between providers?
Yes. The annual and lifetime caps follow a care recipient as they move between providers, services and care types. Means tested residential care and income tested home care package fees accrue against a person’s lifetime cap from the date of their first entry into home or residential care on or after 1 July 2014.
How will the provider know when a care recipient’s annual and lifetime caps are reached?
Human Services will advise a care recipient and their provider when the recipient has reached their annual or lifetime cap following the processing of their monthly claim. Once the cap is reached, Human Services will pay the income tested care fee through subsidy payments to the provider and the care recipient will pay the basic daily fee.
What happens if the care recipient has no income test assessment?
Means tested income support payment recipients do not need to complete income assessments as Human Services will already have sufficient information to determine the fees payable.
However, for care recipients who are not in receipt of a means tested income support payment, electing not to disclose their income may have an impact on the fees payable. If the care recipient chooses not to request an income test assessment after they commence care, they will pay the lower of the cost of their home care package (based on the basic subsidies plus primary supplements) or the relevant daily cap.
What happens if there is a delay in lodging the income test assessment?
In some circumstances a care recipient who is not in receipt of a means tested income support payment may delay lodging their request for an income test assessment. If the care recipient does not submit an income test assessment after two reminders from Human Services, the care recipient will pay the lower of the cost of their package or the relevant daily cap. The care recipient may elect to submit a request for an assessment after being notified of the care fee payable. If as a result of the assessment, it is determined that lower fees are payable, these fees will be reconciled as a result of the quarterly review.
What if an income test assessment is delayed due to complex financial affairs?
If an income test assessment is delayed due to complex financial affairs, no fee is set for the duration of the assessment as Human Services will initially pay for the care subsidies. When a care recipient enters a home care package the home care service may choose to charge an interim fee while we are determining the fees. If as a result of the assessment, it is determined that fees are payable for a backdated period (depending on the scenario), these fees will also count towards the cap. Any overpayments of an interim fee charged would need to be refunded. Similarly, regarding underpayments, the service will be able to seek any amounts owing from the care recipient.
Example
Mary entered residential care on 1 June 2015. Her Means Tested Care Fee was $40 per day. After 200 days, on 18 December 2015, Mary transferred from residential care to the community and commenced a home care package. The means tested care fees Mary paid in residential care (200 days x $40 per day. = $8,000) count towards the annual cap in home care. In home care Mary’s income tested fee is capped at a daily rate of $28.27 per day. At the rate of $28.27 per day, Mary will exceed the home care annual cap of $10,292.41 on day 82, 9 March 2016 (82 days x $28.27 per day = $2,318.14; $8,000 + $2,318.14 > $10,292.41). Mary has 83 days remaining in the year before her annual cap resets on 1 June 2016.
How will the provider know when a care recipient’s annual and lifetime caps are reached?
Human Services will advise a care recipient and their provider when the recipient has reached their annual or lifetime cap following the processing of their monthly claim. Once the cap is reached, Human Services will pay the income tested care fee through subsidy payments to the provider and the care recipient will pay the basic daily fee.
What happens if the care recipient has no income test assessment?
Means tested income support payment recipients do not need to complete income assessments as Human Services will already have sufficient information to determine the fees payable. However, for care recipients who are not in receipt of a means tested income support payment, electing not to disclose their income may have an impact on the fees payable. If the care recipient chooses not to request an income test assessment after they commence care, they will pay the lower of the cost of their home care package (based on the basic subsidies plus primary supplements) or the relevant daily cap.
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Hours spent with clients/families should be counted towards hours of services or outputs delivered including:
Time spent on behalf of a client or which can be attributed to a client:
The time that should Not be counted in hours of service include activities that cannot be attributed to clients, such as:
CDC evaluation highlights low take-up among special needs clients
by Linda Belardi on October 1, 2015 in Community Care Review
The Federal Government’s national evaluation of consumer directed care has recommended trialing new approaches in home care for some special needs groups and strengthening the program’s focus on Wellness and Reablement. The evaluation, which was completed by KPMG in April, was released by the government yesterday afternoon, three months after the full implementation of CDC.
Administration costs
For the first time, the evaluation has made public data on average charges for administration and case management.
ADA Australia offer a large collection of resources. Go to ADA Australia Resources or Aged and Disability Resources for helpful links and downloads.
Often older adults have physical health conditions which prevent them doing things they had previously enjoyed. The case managers were able to encourage participants to think about alternative ways of doing things which would provide similar satisfaction. “It is not what we do that is the most important thing, it is what we get out of doing it or what function it has for us.” Case managers worked with people to identify what they got out of an activity they could no longer do, to look at other activities which could replace those functions and provide similar positive rewards to help them stay well.
New standardised home care pricing Schedule
To improve transparency for senior Australians, all home care providers will need to publish their pricing information in a new standardised pricing comparability Schedule (the Schedule) on the My Aged Care Service Finder.
"Another key source of confusion is around the mandated requirement by government that all approved providers must publish the prices they charge for certain common care and services in a standard format on My Aged Care, she says.
“Administration and Case Management are no longer separate categories and the model of charging a percentage of a home care package for these is no longer possible,” Ms Poulos says.
“There are two new categories – Package Management and Care Management – that have very clear definitions and requirements to validate charges made to a consumer’s package of care.
“Providers will also be required to attach to the Notice a copy of their full price list or a link to the full price list on their own website.
“Government has indicated that compliance with the new legislation will be monitored for ‘reasonable’ charges however there is no real guidance about what would be considered as ‘reasonable’.“
02 July 2019
By 1 July 2019 home care providers will need to publish their prices in a new standardised home care pricing Schedule on the My Aged Care website. This transition to the new pricing structure may be an opportune time to analyse their current pricing policies and determine if they (the Provider) need to change their prices. The Schedule will provide information on the common services and costs under a home care package. This will better support senior Australians to understand and compare home care pricing information, and make a more informed decision about which provider is best placed to deliver your care.
June 2019
In other words, YOU decide what you want and when and, depending on how much you want to arrange appointments and things yourself, this will determine how much $ you pay to the Provider for doing it for you.
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13 April 2022
https://hellocaremail.com.au/home-care-prices-fall-reporting-fees-becomes-compulsory-aged-care/
"Home care providers have cut their prices following the government’s introduction of compulsory fee reporting on the My Aged Care website, saving the government up to $1 billion."
10 July 2019
and do be aware, that since 27 February 2017, YOU can decide to change your Provider. It is YOUR choice... It might be that you have moved house, moved interstate, or just decided that the current services you were receiving did not match up with Your Expectations... In this CDC (Consumer Directed Care) world, YOU decide whatever it is that YOU want. It is up to your Provider to 'make it happen'; whether they do it themselves or 'broker it out' to another Provider/Private firm...
- Actively managing unspent funds: This fact sheet provides information to home care providers on how to manage the accumulation of unspent funds in home care packages. June 2018
The government has released a new data table revealing the median cost of common home care services across Australia, which it hopes will act as a carrot to improve service offerings and a stick against unjustified charges.
Richard Colbeck
Older Australians and their families will also be able to get an idea of standard pricing to help them make decisions about whether a provider’s prices are fair, says aged care services minister Richard Colbeck.
The table shows median prices for
- nursing,
- in-home respite,
- personal care and
- cleaning,
- as well as package and management.
The changes to how we pay home care subsidies and supplements to providers will occur in 2 phases. Instead of paying the total in advance, we will pay in arrears for services delivered. We will hold unspent funds for care recipients. This is in line with other Government-funded programs.
“$50,000 Should Not Translate To Just Nine Hours Of Care,” Royal Commission Hears
by Caroline Egan. https://hellocaremail.com.au/home-care-delivered-hours-care-royal-commission/
Home care was under the Royal Commission’s spotlight on Monday, as the second set of hearings began. 19 March 2019
A government committee is considering putting a cap on home care package administration fees amid claims some providers are charging up to 45 per cent on top of service fees. Greens senator Rachael Siewert asked the senate estimates committee sitting on October 24 if home care administration fees were being monitored, saying she had an invoice showing administration fees of 38 per cent, and had heard of figures as high as 45 per cent being charged.
Home Care Providers - Actions you need to take, like NOW...
https://communitycarereview.com.au/sponsoredcontent/covid-19s-double-whammy-for-providers/
08 April 2020
https://communitycarereview.com.au/2020/03/27/technologys-role-in-overhauling-the-aged-care-sector/
Home care providers do need to be aware of this upcoming change...
Improved Payment Arrangements for Home Care
The changes to how we pay home care subsidies to providers will occur in 2 phases. Instead of paying the full subsidy in advance each month, we will pay in arrears for services delivered. The new arrangements are in line with modern business practices and other Government-funded programs. 28 February 2020
CHANGES POSTPONED:
On 28 February 2020, the Government announced Phase 1 of the improvements to payment administration arrangements for home care packages (payment in arrears) would start on 1 June 2020.
On 27 March 2020, the Government announced the implementation of improvements to payment administration arrangements for home care packages would be placed on hold. This is due to the current situation with coronavirus (COVID-19) and the key role of the aged care sector to help combat this virus and support older Australians.
Consultations with the home care sector will help determine when implementation will recommence.
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New standardised home care pricing Schedule
To improve transparency for senior Australians, all home care providers need to publish their pricing information in a new standardised pricing comparability Schedule (the Schedule) on the My Aged Care Service Finder.
"Another key source of confusion is around the mandated requirement by government that all approved providers must publish the prices they charge for certain common care and services in a standard format on My Aged Care, she says.
“Administration and Case Management are no longer separate categories and the model of charging a percentage of a home care package for these is no longer possible,” Ms Poulos says.
“There are two new categories – Package Management and Care Management – that have very clear definitions and requirements to validate charges made to a consumer’s package of care.
“Providers will also be required to attach to the Notice a copy of their full price list or a link to the full price list on their own website.
“Government has indicated that compliance with the new legislation will be monitored for ‘reasonable’ charges however there is no real guidance about what would be considered as ‘reasonable’.“
02 July 2019
Since 1 July 2019 home care providers have needed to publish their prices in a new standardised home care pricing Schedule on the My Aged Care website. This transition to the new pricing structure may be an opportune time to analyse their current pricing policies and determine if they (the Provider) need to change their prices. The Schedule will provide information on the common services and costs under a home care package. This will better support senior Australians to understand and compare home care pricing information, and make a more informed decision about which provider is best placed to deliver your care.
June 2019
TO COMPARE $ PRICES in Home Care
From 1 July 2019 home care providers need to publish their prices in a new standardised home care pricing Schedule on the My Aged Care website. This transition to the new pricing structure may be an opportune time to analyse their current pricing policies and determine if they (the Provider) need to change their prices.
The Schedule will provide information on the common services and costs under a home care package.
This will better support senior Australians to understand and compare home care pricing information, and make a more informed decision about which provider is best placed to deliver your care.
01 July 2019
WHAT TO DO...
STEP 1: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/find-a-provider
STEP 2: Click on "Help at Home"
STEP 3: Select your Suburb
STEP 4: Click on "Home Support Services" to get a list of Providers
OR “Home Care Package” Level 1, 2, 3 or 4
You can then click on the Providers name for their details
OR Just click on COMPARE – up to 3 at a time
and COMPARE ONE PROVIDER $ AGAINST ANOTHER... Just scroll down.
You are looking at:-
Case Management - approximate number of hours per fortnight
- Fully funded by Provider
- Self-managed by YOU
Price for Common Services - shown as $ per hour
- Personal Care
- Nursing
- Cleaning and Household tasks
- Light gardening
- In-home Respite
Other costs:
- Package management
- Staff travel costs to visit you
- Separate cost when you want to receive services from a different Provider
- Maximum Exit $ amount
It's quite an Eye-opener!!!
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http://livestream.ssc.gov.au/health/2november2016/ click on “Launch Webcast”.
Changing Providers and Unspent Funds:
This webinar provided an overview of how consumers will be able to change home care providers as of 27 February 2017 as a result of the Increasing Choice in home care reforms.
It covered:
- the consumer’s role when changing providers;
- obligations for the existing provider and the new provider;
- requirements for providers to manage unspent home care amounts; and
- arrangements for exit amounts, both in the lead up to 27 February 2017 and once the Increasing Choice measure commences from 27 February 2017.
Step by Step calculation of Unspent Funds for Consumer Directed Care (CDC) Home Care
November 2, 2016
The Department of Health has released a Step by Step guide on how to calculate unspent funds. More detail is required than most expect.
Read the full report
https://agedcare.health.gov.au/sites/g/files/net1426/f/documents/11_2016/mai_example_-_calculation_of_unspent_home_care_amounts_-_.pdf
For those residents entering, or consumers commencing a home care package from 1 July 2014, the following Schedule applies:
Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care: From 20 March 2022
This page provides the latest updates to aged care fees and charges.
[i] Residents in designated remote areas may be asked to pay an additional $1.06 per day.
[ii] This rate applies to residents who enter residential care within this time period but not to those who were already in care prior to this time period. The Maximum Permissible Interest Rate applicable for the calculation of a resident’s daily payments is fixed either at their date of entry to care (for a low means resident) or the date they agree to a room price (for a resident who is not eligible for government assistance with their accommodation costs).
and do remember that the daily care fee IS negiotable.
While you get to say how and when the funds for your care package are spent, they are held by your Home Care Provider. While costs and other elements might vary between different home care providers, they are all required to give you a monthly statement, clearly explaining:
• your available funds (the government’s subsidy plus any co-contribution you might have to pay
• your monthly costs
• what you have spent
• the balance of funds remaining
• any unspent funds must be rolled over from month to month and year to year for as long as you remain in the package.
As a potential Customer, do be aware of what your Home Care Agreement ACTUALLY says: Do Not Sign it until you have had it all explained to you AND YOU UNDERSTAND IT.
A potential Home Care Provider needs to bear in mind when offering your Home Care Agreement:
As a provider of home care you will want to promote your business so that you can compete for customers. But you also have to make sure that you don’t break the law by saying things to consumers that might mislead or confuse them. When you offer home care services to consumers it is important that you present information (whether it be written or verbal) to a consumer accurately, clearly and honestly. This allows consumers the opportunity to make decisions with all the facts. Under the ACL, businesses that do not do this are likely to be engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct.
Misleading and deceptive conduct can include practices such as:
- false claims or statements about your home care services or the price
- false claims about a consumer’s legal rights
- not telling a consumer important information
- hiding important information in small print or disclaimers
- using overly complex language that means important information is not clear. Make sure that what you say or give to consumers is easy to understand, honest, and contains all the relevant information. Being honest and clear with your customers is the best way to promote longer relationships and grow your business.
Home Care Agreements need to be clear and easy to understand so that consumers are able to make informed decisions. Make sure that your Home Care Agreements are transparent, in plain language and highlight important terms, especially key information such as:
- what services are to be provided, by who, when and how
- costs and fees
- any conditions that may apply to the Home Care Agreement (for example termination conditions).
- Allow consumers enough time to read the Home Care Agreement, ask questions and seek assistance or advice if they need to.
- Never rush or pressure a consumer, as consumers have the right to take their time and seek financial or legal advice before signing.
Example: A term in a Home Care Agreement says “you agree to allow the provider to place a caveat over your home to enable the collection of any unpaid fees”. This would likely be an unfair term as it is not reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the business in relation to government funded home care services and would cause significant detriment to the consumer if it were relied upon.
Download your own copy from the ACCC website:
https://www.accc.gov.au/publications/home-care-services-your-business-rights-obligations
Home care services - your business rights & obligations.
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Note: Some consumers are choosing to spend their built-up funds on one-off capital items or services that offer little or in some cases no margin to Providers. Do remember, that this is Your Choice. That's what CDC (Consumer Directed Care) is. It's YOUR Choice!
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https://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/2018/04/12/key-considerations-when-negotiating-cdc-package-spending/
The Department of Health says the types of care and services provided under a home care package will depend on the person’s assessed care needs.
A package should help older people to stay at home, provide tailored services and cover a person’s care and safety needs.
If a package is used to contribute towards the cost of items within a consumer’s home, the impact on a person’s individual budget, capacity to deliver other care and services and responsibility for any maintenance should be considered, the department says.
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The basic fee for a Home Care Package*, including Consumer Directed Care (CDC), that the service provider may charge is up to $10.54 per person per day - from 1 July 2019.
New standardised home care pricing Schedule
To improve transparency for senior Australians, all home care providers will need to publish their pricing information in a new standardised pricing comparability Schedule (the Schedule) on the My Aged Care Service Finder.
"Another key source of confusion is around the mandated requirement by government that all approved providers must publish the prices they charge for certain common care and services in a standard format on My Aged Care, she says.
“Administration and Case Management are no longer separate categories and the model of charging a percentage of a home care package for these is no longer possible,” Ms Poulos says.
“There are two new categories – Package Management and Care Management – that have very clear definitions and requirements to validate charges made to a consumer’s package of care.
“Providers will also be required to attach to the Notice a copy of their full price list or a link to the full price list on their own website.
“Government has indicated that compliance with the new legislation will be monitored for ‘reasonable’ charges however there is no real guidance about what would be considered as ‘reasonable’.“
02 July 2019
Since 1 July 2019 home care providers need to publish their prices in a new standardised home care pricing Schedule on the My Aged Care website. This transition to the new pricing structure may be an opportune time to analyse their current pricing policies and determine if they (the Provider) need to change their prices. The Schedule will provide information on the common services and costs under a home care package. This will better support senior Australians to understand and compare home care pricing information, and make a more informed decision about which provider is best placed to deliver your care.
1 July 2019
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Aged Care Quality Standards
Update on quality standards
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission 1800 550 552 regarding a Commonwealth-subsidised residential or home-based aged care service
03 January 2020 https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/about-us
Minister Wyatt announced that the Complaints Commissioner and the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency will form part of the New Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission in January 2019. "I am confident the new Commission will better target sub-standard care. It will be a central point to identify failures, highlights quality concerns and have them rectified,” he says.
The Commission replaces the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency and the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner. Combining these functions into one independent agency strengthens the focus on consumers, streamlines regulation, supports better engagement with consumers and providers, and promotes transparency.
The new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission began on January 1st, 2019.
Who do the Act and Rules apply to?
- Approved providers of residential aged care services, home care services and short-term restorative care services.
- Service providers of Commonwealth-funded aged care services (this includes Commonwealth Home Support Programme and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Care Program (NATSIFACP) services).
What changes can services and providers expect?
The new Rules look quite different due to the combined functions under the Act. However, while the Rules have combined a number of previously separate legislative instruments, the core processes are preserved.
You can read the new Rules here.
You can also read the fact sheets on key changes to:
- accreditation and re-accreditation
- quality review
- assessment contacts
- review audits
- requests for specified information
- Commonwealth Home Support Programme
- consent to access premises
- transitional arrangements
26 June 2019
It will have a budget of almost $300 million over four years, employing dozens of additional senior compliance officers. The new Commission will immediately absorb the roles of the current Aged Care Complaints Commissioner and the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency and, from January 2020, also take over the Department of Health's aged-care compliance responsibilities.
Key Changes under the new Commission Act and Rules.
The new commissioners of the Royal Commission in to Aged Care Quality and Safety has written to the nation’s top 100 aged care operators, asking them to self-report on details of their operations. The request for information is the first step in the Royal Commission’s information gathering process. The deadline for providing information is January. Smaller operators will also be contacted, and will be given a later deadline.
The letters mark what will be a huge information-gathering process involving every aged care facility in Australia, and also begins a process of review for all operators of their own individual systems and processes.
08 January 2019
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Home Care Package Calculation of your cost of care form (SA456)
Use this form to give us your income details. We’ll use these details to assess how much you need to pay for a Home Care Package.
You only need to complete this form if you don’t get a means tested income support payment from the Department of Human Services.
18 July 2019
New Aged care means assessment forms
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has released the new Aged Care Calculation of your cost of care (SA486) digital form. Your clients can fill it in online, print and sign it and send it to DHS with their supporting documents. The digital form uses dynamic questions tailored to the customers’ individual circumstances.
26 November 2019
For clients who would prefer to use our simplified paper forms, they are as follows:
- Home Care Package Calculation of your cost of care (SA456)
- Residential Aged Care Calculation of your cost of care (SA457)
- Residential Aged Care Property details for Centrelink and DVA customers (SA485)
These forms are all available on the DHS website. Tips on how to download the digital form can be found here.
Aged care means tests: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/aged-care-means-tests
We assess your financial details to work out how much you need to pay towards aged care.
Customers commencing a Home Care Package don’t need to fill in a form if they get a means tested income support payment from Centrelink or DVA.
Customers entering Residential Care don’t need to fill in a form if they:
- get a means tested income support payment, and
- don’t own their own home.
It is important to make sure their income and assets are up to date when they enter into care to ensure their assessment can be completed automatically. They can do this by accessing their Centrelink online account or by calling Centrelink on 132 300or DVA on 1800 555 254.
Department of Health
13 August 2019
Be aware too of your Cap thresholds:
20 September 2019
Income Free Area (annual amount) Home Care
Annual Income up to these amounts is excluded from the income test component of the residential means test and the income test in home care. To calculate the equivalent fortnightly income divide by 26.
Income Free Area (single person) $27,463.80
Income Free Area (Couple, Illness separated, single rate) $26,943.80
Income Free Area (Couple, Living together, single rate) $21,294.00
(Relevant to Home Care only)
Income Thresholds (annual amount) Home Care Income Test
Consumers with incomes above these amounts are subject to the second cap when calculating the daily income tested care fee in home care and are also subject to the higher annual cap that applies in Home Care. To calculate the equivalent fortnightly income divide by 26.
Income Threshold (single person) $53,060.80
Income Threshold (Couple, Illness separated, single rate) $52,540.80
Income Threshold (Couple, Living together single rate) $40,586.00
Home Exemption Cap (applies separately to both members of a couple). The net value of the home above this amount is excluded from the value of the resident's assets. $169,079.20
Caps on Income Tested Care Fees in Home Care
First Cap (Daily cap applying on income tested care fees
where the consumer's income does not exceed the income threshold) $15.24
Annual cap - income not exceeding the Income Threshold (Annual cap applying to income tested care fees where the consumer's income does not exceed the income threshold) $5,550.90
Second Cap (Daily cap applying on income tested care fees
where the consumer's income exceeds the income threshold) $30.49
Annual cap - income exceeding the Income Threshold (Annual cap applying to income tested care fees where the consumer's income exceeds the income threshold) $11,101.81
Lifetime Cap on Means Tested Care Fees in Residential Care
and Income Tested Care Fees in Home Care $66,610.90
The Department of Human Services calculate the cap by tallying the care subsidy reductions, (which equals the maximum amount of income tested care fees that we have calculated can be charged for the individual) against the cap.
General Questions: For those residents entering, or consumers who commenced a home care package after 1 July 2014, the following Schedule applies:
Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care: From 20 March 2022
This page provides the latest updates to aged care fees and charges.
[i] Residents in designated remote areas may be asked to pay an additional $1.06 per day.
[ii] This rate applies to residents who enter residential care within this time period but not to those who were already in care prior to this time period. The Maximum Permissible Interest Rate applicable for the calculation of a resident’s daily payments is fixed either at their date of entry to care (for a low means resident) or the date they agree to a room price (for a resident who is not eligible for government assistance with their accommodation costs).
and do remember that the daily care fee IS negiotable.
Does the Government pay the income tested fee once a cap is reached?
Yes. The Government will pay the care recipient’s income tested care fee by way of a subsidy increase to the service after the care recipient has reached a cap.
When will annual caps reset?
In home care, the annual caps are applied at a daily rate and built into the calculation of the daily amount of income tested care fee that a care recipient can be asked to pay. Annual caps reset each year on the anniversary of a care recipient’s entry into aged care. Once this reset occurs the care recipient will be required to pay the income tested care fee until the annual cap is reached once again.
Given the daily application of the annual cap in home care, it is less likely for a care recipient in home care to reach the annual cap within a year. While it is less likely for a care recipient in home care to reach the annual cap within a year, it is possible. Where a care recipient transfers from residential care to a home care package, any means tested care fees paid in residential care in the year that a care recipient moves to a home care package will also count towards the annual cap in home care.
If the annual cap is reached, when are the service’s payments adjusted?
Caps are reconciled as part of monthly claim processing. The care recipient and service will be notified after this process is finalised. This means the care recipient continues to pay an income tested care fee for an interim period after the cap is reached. Any payments made for the part of the month after the cap has been reached (where the subsidy adjustment hasn’t been made yet) will be refunded at the following quarterly review. As noted above though, it will be rare for a care recipient to reach the annual cap due to the daily capping of the income tested care fee.
Do the annual and lifetime caps move with a care recipient if they move between providers?
Yes. The annual and lifetime caps follow a care recipient as they move between providers, services and care types. Means tested residential care and income tested home care package fees accrue against a person’s lifetime cap from the date of their first entry into home or residential care on or after 1 July 2014.
How will the provider know when a care recipient’s annual and lifetime caps are reached?
Human Services will advise a care recipient and their provider when the recipient has reached their annual or lifetime cap following the processing of their monthly claim. Once the cap is reached, Human Services will pay the income tested care fee through subsidy payments to the provider and the care recipient will pay the basic daily fee.
What happens if the care recipient has no income test assessment?
Means tested income support payment recipients do not need to complete income assessments as Human Services will already have sufficient information to determine the fees payable.
However, for care recipients who are not in receipt of a means tested income support payment, electing not to disclose their income may have an impact on the fees payable. If the care recipient chooses not to request an income test assessment after they commence care, they will pay the lower of the cost of their home care package (based on the basic subsidies plus primary supplements) or the relevant daily cap.
What happens if there is a delay in lodging the income test assessment?
In some circumstances a care recipient who is not in receipt of a means tested income support payment may delay lodging their request for an income test assessment. If the care recipient does not submit an income test assessment after two reminders from Human Services, the care recipient will pay the lower of the cost of their package or the relevant daily cap. The care recipient may elect to submit a request for an assessment after being notified of the care fee payable. If as a result of the assessment, it is determined that lower fees are payable, these fees will be reconciled as a result of the quarterly review.
What if an income test assessment is delayed due to complex financial affairs?
If an income test assessment is delayed due to complex financial affairs, no fee is set for the duration of the assessment as Human Services will initially pay for the care subsidies. When a care recipient enters a home care package the home care service may choose to charge an interim fee while we are determining the fees. If as a result of the assessment, it is determined that fees are payable for a backdated period (depending on the scenario), these fees will also count towards the cap. Any overpayments of an interim fee charged would need to be refunded. Similarly, regarding underpayments, the service will be able to seek any amounts owing from the care recipient.
Example
Mary entered residential care on 1 June 2015. Her Means Tested Care Fee was $40 per day. After 200 days, on 18 December 2015, Mary transferred from residential care to the community and commenced a home care package. The means tested care fees Mary paid in residential care (200 days x $40 per day. = $8,000) count towards the annual cap in home care. In home care Mary’s income tested fee is capped at a daily rate of $28.27 per day. At the rate of $28.27 per day, Mary will exceed the home care annual cap of $10,292.41 on day 82, 9 March 2016 (82 days x $28.27 per day = $2,318.14; $8,000 + $2,318.14 > $10,292.41). Mary has 83 days remaining in the year before her annual cap resets on 1 June 2016.
How will the provider know when a care recipient’s annual and lifetime caps are reached?
Human Services will advise a care recipient and their provider when the recipient has reached their annual or lifetime cap following the processing of their monthly claim. Once the cap is reached, Human Services will pay the income tested care fee through subsidy payments to the provider and the care recipient will pay the basic daily fee.
What happens if the care recipient has no income test assessment?
Means tested income support payment recipients do not need to complete income assessments as Human Services will already have sufficient information to determine the fees payable. However, for care recipients who are not in receipt of a means tested income support payment, electing not to disclose their income may have an impact on the fees payable. If the care recipient chooses not to request an income test assessment after they commence care, they will pay the lower of the cost of their home care package (based on the basic subsidies plus primary supplements) or the relevant daily cap.
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Hours spent with clients/families should be counted towards hours of services or outputs delivered including:
- face to face time spent with clients, service users or the community, and trainees; and
- time spent undertaking tasks on behalf of clients, such as arranging referrals, writing file notes, participating in case conferences, recording data at the time of initial assessment, and preparation for training events.
- eg Counselling
- Case Management
- Personal assistance
Time spent on behalf of a client or which can be attributed to a client:
- Arranging a referral
- Writing file notes
- Participating in case conferences
- Recording data at time of assessment
- Mobile service delivery
- Preparing training materials
The time that should Not be counted in hours of service include activities that cannot be attributed to clients, such as:
- Team meeting
- Travel (except for isolated regional areas, travel costs cannot be passed on to clients)
- Training
- Networking meetings
- Receiving supervision
- Compiling or entering data for reporting purposes
- Collating data
- Supervising staff
- Administrative tasks.
CDC evaluation highlights low take-up among special needs clients
by Linda Belardi on October 1, 2015 in Community Care Review
The Federal Government’s national evaluation of consumer directed care has recommended trialing new approaches in home care for some special needs groups and strengthening the program’s focus on Wellness and Reablement. The evaluation, which was completed by KPMG in April, was released by the government yesterday afternoon, three months after the full implementation of CDC.
Administration costs
For the first time, the evaluation has made public data on average charges for administration and case management.
- A survey of 77 home care providers showed that on average providers were taking 27 per cent of a consumer’s subsidy in administration and case management fees. Average figures ranged from 29 per cent for a Level 1 and 3 package, to 21 per cent for a Level 4 package.
- Approximately half of the providers interviewed by KPMG reported having undertaken some form of detailed cost modeling to develop their cost structures; whilst others (usually those charging at the lower end) set the fees based on what they thought was ‘fair’, the report said.
- Providers reported that they experienced considerable administrative costs associated with the implementation of CDC, such as additional staff time and brokerage costs, which were being passed on to consumers.
- Consumers who took on a significant degree of self-management but saw little reduction in the fees charged felt most dissatisfied with the costs.
- The evaluation said there was still some work to be done around the transparency of administration and case management pricing
- Should you look to changing your Provider, do be aware that some Providers could charge high exit fees (e.g. $4,153.00 or $0.) that might discourage you from transferring your Package to another Provider. This should appear in your original/and subsequent Home Care Agreement.
- Since 27 February 2017, the package (Level 1, 2, 3 or 4) goes to YOU. You choose your own Provider and the Government then gives them the $ to spend on what YOU Want. Do be aware that some Providers are charging joining, upgrade or exit fees for their in home health and wellbeing services. This is Not Mandatory, and should any Provider place these restrictions in your New Home Care Agreement, Do NOT sign it. You do NOT have to pay for these. Only those things which YOU have agreed to can be placed in your new Home Care Agreement. If this is happening to You, do not sign and immediately look around and choose another Provider.
If you need help, an advocate can be made available through the My Aged Care https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/support-and-advocacy/advocacy - or visit the Older Persons Advocacy Network website to find out more about advocacy services.
- Check out My Aged Care https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/
- Remember, there is NO minimum mandated period that you should stay with a Provider. Your Agreement is between YOU and the Provider. Negotiate...
- You do not have to agree to whatever the Provider places in front of you. Do take the time to actually read through All of your Home Care Agreement. Remember, this is a legal document. Seek advice from someone you trust Before you sign.
- If requested, the approved provider must allow an advocate acting for the consumer access to the home care service. An advocate can be made available through ADA Australia Freecall 1800 818 338 M-F 9.30am to 4pm. ADA Australia - https://adaaustralia.com.au/
ADA Australia offer a large collection of resources. Go to ADA Australia Resources or Aged and Disability Resources for helpful links and downloads.
Often older adults have physical health conditions which prevent them doing things they had previously enjoyed. The case managers were able to encourage participants to think about alternative ways of doing things which would provide similar satisfaction. “It is not what we do that is the most important thing, it is what we get out of doing it or what function it has for us.” Case managers worked with people to identify what they got out of an activity they could no longer do, to look at other activities which could replace those functions and provide similar positive rewards to help them stay well.
New standardised home care pricing Schedule
To improve transparency for senior Australians, all home care providers will need to publish their pricing information in a new standardised pricing comparability Schedule (the Schedule) on the My Aged Care Service Finder.
"Another key source of confusion is around the mandated requirement by government that all approved providers must publish the prices they charge for certain common care and services in a standard format on My Aged Care, she says.
“Administration and Case Management are no longer separate categories and the model of charging a percentage of a home care package for these is no longer possible,” Ms Poulos says.
“There are two new categories – Package Management and Care Management – that have very clear definitions and requirements to validate charges made to a consumer’s package of care.
“Providers will also be required to attach to the Notice a copy of their full price list or a link to the full price list on their own website.
“Government has indicated that compliance with the new legislation will be monitored for ‘reasonable’ charges however there is no real guidance about what would be considered as ‘reasonable’.“
02 July 2019
By 1 July 2019 home care providers will need to publish their prices in a new standardised home care pricing Schedule on the My Aged Care website. This transition to the new pricing structure may be an opportune time to analyse their current pricing policies and determine if they (the Provider) need to change their prices. The Schedule will provide information on the common services and costs under a home care package. This will better support senior Australians to understand and compare home care pricing information, and make a more informed decision about which provider is best placed to deliver your care.
June 2019
In other words, YOU decide what you want and when and, depending on how much you want to arrange appointments and things yourself, this will determine how much $ you pay to the Provider for doing it for you.
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13 April 2022