On February 27, 2017, the Government put you in control of your care. For those of you who have been regularly visiting our page, you will have seen lots of questions about Consumer Directed Care and what it means for people who have Government-funded packages supporting their care.
As of February 28, 2017, all packages became 100% portable
Simply put, you can now choose who you want to deliver your care and move to them. This is a big change, putting you in control. Some providers may not be ready to accept new customers, this will work itself out over time, but the choice of who provides your care is yours.
Providers do not own the packages or dollars, the individual does
Previously, 'Approved Providers' were allocated Packages from the Government through a bidding process. People were assessed through the ACAT process and told what level of package (1 to 4) they qualified for. Then they had to call around to providers to see if there were any matching packages available. This disjointed approach often meant people had to settle for a lower-level package with a provider they didn’t necessarily want (we’ve heard this story over and over again). Now, you control the funding and can get the care and help you want - even from multiple providers at once. Your first priority should be to ensure you're receiving the right level of help and care.
You cannot lose your package once it's been allocated to you
Unfortunately, we are hearing stories of care providers telling people they’ll lose their funding if they switch providers. This is not true. Once you have a package, it’s yours. Use it wisely and make sure you’re getting the support you need and deserve.
You can change providers without any financial penalty
While the new funding rules allow for providers to charge an ‘exit fee’, this can only be deducted from your package if there are surplus funds available. If you’re thinking of switching, request a statement of your package and check for any unspent funds before agreeing to an exit fee. Also review your current Home Care Agreement - if there is no exit fee clause, you can switch without penalty.
Funding and choice are one part of the solution.
Another key reason for the change in funding and putting the consumer in control is to encourage new solutions and organisations with modern models of care to enter the market. The Government wants to foster ‘good’ and much needed innovation. From our perspective we think an important area that needs to change in the delivery of care is the understanding that many family members and friends are intimately and lovingly involved in helping and providing care. These people are often excluded from the current processes and need to be kept informed and in touch. If you are organising the care for a loved one make sure you find a provider who understands this.
Consumer Directed Care is a welcome and important change - with good intentions at its heart. Please make sure you understand what you're now eligible for, and ensure you're receiving the care you need, delivered in a way that suits you.
While the right care is important so to is the right amount of care. We have already had many people change to Five Good Friends and because of our efficient new model and simple to use technology we are able to deliver up to 50% more hours. Imagine what a change that would make.
If you want to know more about Consumer Directed Care or would like to know if Five Good Friends can help please call us on 1300 787 581 and speak to a Care Advisor today.