Mar 08, 2017

Consumer Directed Care Changes Have Begun: What Does This Mean for You?

Starting from yesterday, Consumer Directed Care has changed with the introduction of Increasing Choice in Home Care measure.

Changes made by the Federal Government have altered how home care for older Australians are funded, with 80,000 home care packages going from provider-controlled to consumer-controlled.

A person who is eligible for Home Care Packages will now be able to choose which organisation will provide which services for them.

Previously, home care packages and funding were given to approved providers via an allocation process, and if the consumer wanted to change providers before they had used up all their package, then the remainder of the unused funds would be forfeited.

But now all home care packages will be given directly to individual consumers and they determine how services, such as nursing or personal care, are allotted.

The old system, where providers held control of the home care packages, often had many issues such as allegations of providers charging huge fees, discrimination against people who couldn’t afford private services and problems when people had to relinquish and re-apply for packages when they moved homes.

Consumers are now able to change their provider whenever they choose for whatever reason, for example if they move or if their care needs are unfulfilled, and take with them whatever remaining funds they have to the new provider.

This is a big move for home care as Consumer Directed Care not only ensures that the industry is consumer-driven, but that it is also market based and less regulated.

It is expected, now, that people who are receiving the home care packages will be more involved with the distribution of their funds and have more regular contact with their provider.

Consumer Directed Care is set to give more control to consumers over the funds for their care and how those funds are spent, which would be more efficient as the number of people who choose to use home care services rises. It has been estimated that the number of home care packages will increase to approximately 100,000 by 2018.

People who currently already have a home care package are not required to do anything to have the new changes applied to them, and their home care services will continue unless they choose otherwise.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Everyone should have their own preferences taken into account when it’s their package, my life my choice’s & care holistically suited to me

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Where are the government’s changes to the regulation of physical and chemical restraints?

  Back in January, the aged care minister said changes to the regulation of chemical and physical restraints in aged care were only weeks away. That was nearly two months ago. “Incidents of over use of physical and chemical restraint will not be tolerated and draft changes to regulations are expected to be released within... Read More

Targeted support to improve residential age care services

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring senior Australians can access high quality care through aged care providers. Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Richard Colbeck, today announces a targeted aged care Business Improvement Fund (BIF) of almost $50m aimed at supporting facilities and improving business operations, ensuring the needs of seniors are met.... Read More

Palliative Care Doctor Awarded Medal at Queen’s Birthday Honours

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual – World Health Organisation Palliative care... Read More
Advertisement