Home Care changes in 2017

Whether you or a family member are currently receiving care services through a Home Care Package, or have an existing approval for a package and are waiting on availability, the Australian Government’s reforms to home care in February 2017 affect consumers differently.

Take a look below at our snapshot of what the changes mean, what impacts they have, and what actions you may need to make.

Why were these changes made?

The aim of the changes is to give consumers greater flexibility, choice and control about the home care services they receive. It also enables consumers to choose an organisation or provider who best supports their needs and preferences. Service providers will be able to offer more home care packages, on a ‘Consumer Directed Care’ basis, offering more choice to consumers that best meet their needs.

Changes to Home Care:

Funding from home care packages (services that are subsidised by the government) will now be allocated directly to the person receiving the care services, rather than the organisation (or provider) that delivers the services. Individual funds are allowed to be used in a number of ways, such as purchasing mobility equipment, help around the home, meal preparation, transport to appoints and access to professional nurse services.

How will Home Care Packages be allocated to consumers?

Regardless of where a person lives, a new national prioritisation process will be established for home care. This means the development of a national queue which will assess consumers for subsidised services, and assign Home Care Packages to consumers based on their individual needs and how long they have been waiting for services.

If you’re already receiving services through a Home Care Package:

If you’re happy with your provider, and the services you receive then nothing will change.

If you feel that the level of care you’re receiving is not correct, or if you would like to change providers, please contact MyAgedCare for help.

If you’re receiving services at a lower level than what you’re approved for:

You will automatically be added to the national queue for a Home Care Package at your approved level, and continue your current care services while you wait.

When you are assigned a higher package from the national queue, MyAgedCare will contact you and discuss any adjustments to your plan.

If you’ve been approved for a Home Care Package but are not yet receiving services:

If you were approved for a Home Care Package after 1 July 2016 but are not currently receiving any support services under a package: you will be automatically added to the national queue for a Home Care Package.

You should have received a letter from MyAgedCare in January or February 2017 advising you of this. If you have not had any communication, please call MyAgedCare for assistance and an update.

If you were approved for a Home Care Package prior to 1 July 2016 but are not currently receiving any support services under a package: you will need to contact MyAgedCare and request to be added to the national queue for a Home Care Package.

You should have received a letter from MyAgedCare in January or February 2017 advising you of this. If you have not had any communication, please call MyAgedCare for assistance and an update.

How will I know when a Home Care Package is assigned to me?

Once a package becomes available, you will receive a letter from MyAgedCare confirming that you have been assigned a Home Care Package.

The letter will include your unique referral code (this is the code that you take to the home care provider of your choice) and the date that you need to enter into a Home Care Agreement by.

For further information and help:

• If you’d like further assistance with finding the right care solutions for you or a loved one, or you would like help navigating MyAgedCare, please contact Whiddon’s Customer Relations Team on 1300 738 388 or via our online enquiry form.
• For more information about the changes to home care in 2017, click here
• To contact MyAgedCare, call 1800 200 422.

Material published on YourLife is provided for information purposes only. It is general information that may not apply to your individual needs, it is not intended as medical advice, and is not a substitute for your own doctor’s medical care or advice. You assume total responsibility and risk for your use of this web site, web site-related services, and hyperlinked web sites. No oral or written information or advice given by The Whiddon Group, its agents, or its authorised representatives shall create a warranty or in any way increase the scope of this warranty. We encourage you to speak to your medical practitioner before making decisions in relation to your care or medical needs