NEW PROVIDERS NEED TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING BEFORE TAKING ON GOVERNMENT-FUNDED HOME CARE PACKAGES FROM FEBRUARY 2017.
In accordance with the legislation you have to provide the consumer with:
Home Care Agreement including:
- Care Plan
- Individualised Budget
Monthly Statement showing:
- Unspent funds carried forward
- Income
- Expenditure
- Unspent funds closing balance (opening balance next month)
YOU HAVE TO COLLECT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FROM THE CONSUMER:
Personal details some of which can be sourced from the Aged Care Assessment undertaken by the government when a consumer is assessed for a package.
Financial details if you assess the consumer’s Income Tested Fee. However most providers don’t undertake this calculation and prefer to wait for the government to issue the “Notice of Assessment”. The way it works is that the government reduces the subsidy by the Income Tested Fee amount that has been calculated for the consumer based on their financial assets and then it is up to the Home Care Provider to collect it.
Note: This fee can’t be deducted from the consumer’s government funding, as per the legislation.
YOU HAVE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE CONSUMER ON THE FOLLOWING:
Care plan including what goals the consumer wants to achieve and the supports they need to make this happen.
Individualised budget: which will include any unspent funds carried forward, all government and consumer income and all expenditure.
YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE THE CONSUMER WITH THE FOLLOWING:
A Home Care Agreement including:
- Care Plan
- Individualised Budget
Monthly Statement breaking down the income & expenditure and the balance of unspent funds
TO RUN HOME CARE EFFICIENTLY, YOU NEED TO ENSURE YOU HAVE:
- Correct staffing structure ensuring efficient workflows
- Policies & Procedures & ensure they are communicated appropriately
- Undertaken an analysis of your service provision ensuring it is priced appropriately including your margin (no point running a business if not making a profit)
- Appropriate systems in place to collect and store the consumers’ data including integrations if needed to reduce re-keying
If you’re interested in discussing your Consumer Directed Care challenges or require a demonstration of Care Collaborator, software specifically developed for consumer on-boarding, then please contact Debra Ward at Care Collaborator via the web page: www.carecollaborator.com.au, email debra@carecollaborator.com.au
