Back in 2015, the Government announced that there would be major changes to the way Australians access home care services. These home care reforms will introduced in two stages.
In the first stage, from February 27 2017, funding for Home Care Packages (government subsidised home care services) will follow the consumer. This means that a consumer will be able to choose a home care provider that suits their needs and direct their package funding to that provider. This first stage will also give consumers the opportunity to change home care providers if they wish - whether they move or no longer require care at home.
The second stage of these home care reforms will integrate the Home Care Packages Programme and the Commonwealth Home Support Programme into one single home care program. This will simplify the way that home care services are delivered and funded. At this stage, the new integrated home care package program will be introduced from July 2018.
See below for an overview of the changes to home care from February 2017:
Planning & Allocation
- Funding for a Home Care Package will follow the consumer, allowing them to choose a provider that suits them and direct the funding to that provider.
- No ACAR for home care. This will significantly reduce red tape and regulation for providers. The 2015 ACAR was the last round where home care places were allocated to providers.
- Home Care Packages will be made available to consumers periodically throughout the year.
Portability of Home Care Packages
- All consumers – both new and existing – will be able to change home care providers if they wish.
- Any unused funds will move with the consumer to the new home care provider.
- If a consumer leaves home care, any unused funds will be paid back to the Government and to the consumer – either directly to them or their estate. Exact amounts are determined on a case by case basis.
Prioritisation of Consumers
- A consistent national system will be introduced to assign home care packages to eligible consumers.
- The prioritisation process will take into account the needs and circumstances of eligible consumers and the time spent waiting for care.
Approved Home Care Provider Requirements
- The criteria for becoming an approved home care provider will be streamlined, with a greater focus on the organisation as a whole. All approved providers must continue to meet quality review and accreditation standards.
- Existing providers of residential care will have the opportunity to opt-in to become an approved home care provider – through a simplified process rather than a full application.
- Approved provider status will no longer expire after two years if the provider does not hold an allocation of places.
Other changes:
- A consumer will be able to be approved by an Aged Care Assessment Team/Service (ACAT/ACAS) as eligible for more than one type of care at the same time.
- ACAT/ACAS assessments will continue to determine the eligibility for accessing a Home Care Package, but approval will be given at a specific package level (1, 2, 3 or 4) rather than the current level 1/2 (low level care needs) and level 3/4 (high level care needs) approach.
- There will be some minor changes to ensure consistency in the factors to be considered in determining a consumer’s eligibility across all care types.
No changes:
- There will be no changes to the current home care fee arrangements.
- Home Care Packages will continue to be delivered on a Consumer Directed Care basis but consumers will have greater choice regarding their home care provider.
- The total number of Home Care Packages available will continue to be capped in line with the aged care planning ratio set by the government.
- Funding will continue to be paid directly to an approved home care provider.
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