Issue #3
Information for Aged Care
Providers
This is a snapshot of advice on key issues for aged care providers to
assist in understanding the 1 July 2014 reforms, and the 1 July 2015
changes.
Basic fee in Home Care Packages
Consumers who were already receiving a Home Care package before 1 July 2014 and consumers
who take up a package from 1 July 2014 can be asked to pay a basic fee of up to 17.5 per cent of
the single person rate of the basic age pension. This basic fee applies to each person receiving a
Home Care package, even if they are a member of a couple.
From 20 September 2014 to 19 March 2015, the maximum basic fee that can be charged per person
is $9.70 per day or $135.80 per fortnight. This maximum rate is currently published in the Schedule
of Fees and Charges For Residential and Home Care for consumers who commence care from
1 July 2014 and will be published in future schedules for consumers who were already receiving
care before 1 July 2014.
FAQs for accommodation contributions
The Department has recently published new FAQs on how to calculate the daily accommodation
contribution and the accommodation supplement for residents who are eligible for government
assistance with their accommodation costs. For more information visit the Department’s website.
Service provider responsibilities regarding accommodation
agreements
The Department has recently released information confirming what needs to be incorporated into an
accommodation agreement for a resident entering care from 1 July 2014.
The Aged Care Act 1997 requires that the accommodation agreement for a resident must allow for
the situation where the resident is liable to pay accommodation payment and the situation where the
resident is eligible for assistance with their accommodation costs. This requirement holds even
where the resident’s means test results are known.
For more information please see the Department’s Website.
Update to My Aged Care Service Finder
Healthdirect Australia is currently in the process of conducting a quarterly content update process.
This will help ensure the accuracy of the Service Provider information shown through the My Aged
Care Help at Home Service Finder for Commonwealth HACC, National Respite for Carers,
Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged, Day Therapy Centres, and Home Care Package
Programmes. During this process, some service providers may be contacted by Healthdirect
Australia to review their service information within the finder and ensure all details are correct.
Information for Aged Care Providers
General Purpose Financial Reporting
If you are an aged care provider who is concerned about your ability to comply with the
31 October 2014 reporting date for submission of your 2013/14 General Purpose Financial Reports,
you should be aware that the compliance date has been extended to 30 November 2014.
For further information, please visit the Advice to the Aged Care Industry page.
If people would like to talk to someone about their aged care
income and asset assessment, who should they refer callers to?
The Department of Human Services has established a dedicated team to give the processing of
means test assessments priority attention and to take calls from care recipients and their
representatives. If someone is in the position of urgently needing an assessment outcome to access
aged care, they should contact the Department of Human Services on 1800 227 475 as soon as
possible.
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