Significant reforms to home care were announced in the 2015-16 budget, with the Federal Government claiming the reforms will improve the way that home care services are delivered to older Australians. Commencing on 27 February 2017, funding for a home care package will follow the consumer. This will enable a consumer to choose a provider that is suited to them and to direct the funding to that provider. The consumer will also be able to change their provider if they wish, including if they move to another area to live.
We asked LiveWell Care’s Angus Kerr to explain how this will affect for older Australians accessing Home Care Packages.
How will the reforms benefit consumers?
These changes will provide consumers with more choice and control over their home care package. Funding for a home care package will follow the consumer, replacing the current system where home care places are allocated to individual approved providers. This will provide more choice for the consumer to select a provider that is suited to them. For example, a consumer may seek a home care service that specialises in providing care to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Once the changes take effect, all consumers (new and existing) will benefit from these changes. A home care package will be portable for the consumer, if they wish to move location or change to another provider. The package, including any unspent funds, will move with the consumer to their new provider.
How will the national prioritisation system work?
From 27 February 2017, there will be a national system to manage eligible consumers’ access to packages within My Aged Care (the entry point to the aged care system). An effective national system is important to ensure there is equitable access to care, regardless of where someone lives. This system will replace the current system where places are allocated directly to providers, and providers manage individual waiting lists and decide which consumers will be offered a place.
In the new system, consumers will be placed on a national prioritisation queue when they have been approved for home care. A consumer’s position on the queue will be dependent on:
• their relative needs and circumstances as determined through the comprehensive assessment undertaken by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT); and
• the time that a person has been waiting for care.
Once a consumer reaches the front of the national prioritisation queue they will be assigned a home care package which they can use to receive care from a provider of their choice.
Will there be a limit on how long a consumer can take to start receiving services once they have been assigned a package?
It is proposed that a consumer will have 56 days from the date they were prioritised to commence care. If they are having difficulties finding a provider they may request a 28 day extension, giving them a total of 84 days.
What support will be available to consumers to access information and choose a provider?
LiveWell Care will continue to provide advocacy support to our clients. While these reforms will enable greater choice, our experience tells us it will also require more decision making. This will present challenges for some consumers and their families as they attempt to navigate their way through the system to choose a Home Care provider. The need for independent advocacy will be increasingly important when exploring potential Home Care providers. LiveWell Care will support consumers to exercise their rights to informed choice, as so they are able to engage a quality provider that will tailor an individualised support plan while also providing value. Choice is a great thing as long as the options are fully understood- otherwise it can be confusing.
Consumers will be able to access information about home care service providers through the My Aged Care website (www.myagedcare.gov.au), by contacting the My Aged Care contact centre (1800 200 422) and from the My Aged Care Regional Assessment Services and Aged Care Assessment Teams.
Providers will be able to display relevant information on the My Aged Care service finder to enable consumers to choose their preferred provider. Improvements are being made to the service finders for home care. This will help ensure that special needs groups, including people with dementia, have access to providers who cater to their specific needs. Providers will also be able to market themselves to consumers and local communities independently of My Aged Care.