Aged Care Reform implementation update

Peak aged care body, Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) has published information about issues in regard to the reforms, while DSS will continue to circulate these updates regularly.

Aged Care Entry Record (ACER)

The completion of an ACER for each new care recipient is a necessary and important task for providers – whether the care recipient is entering residential aged care or has entered into a home care package. The form can be found on the Department of Human Services website.

Income and assets assessments – the new arrangements

Providers do not need to wait for income or means assessments to be completed before accepting clients.

At the same time, people who are about to seek or enter care do not need to delay applying for an income assessment (home care) or income and assets assessment (residential care) until their care arrangements commence. The process of entering care can be simpler if an assessment has already been completed.

Importantly, the assessment notice from the Department of Human Services generally remains current for 120 days. Consumers should notify the Department of Human Services (or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs where applicable) of changes in their circumstances during this 120 day period.

More information about income assessments, and income and assets assessments, including the relevant forms can be found on the Department of Human Services website.

Providers with clients who are experiencing delays in finalising their assessments can ring the Department of Human Services Aged Care Line on 1800 227 475, as urgent cases can be expedited.

Fee estimators on the My Aged Care website

There are two fee estimators on the My Aged Care website that are easily accessible – one for prospective home care package recipients and one for people who are considering residential aged care.

Both estimators will provide an estimate of the fees that care recipients may be asked to pay and can be found on the My Aged Care website.

Home Care Packages Program Guidelines have been updated

The Home Care Packages Program commenced on 1 August 2013, replacing former packaged care programs – Community Aged Care Packages (CACPs), Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) packages and Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACHD) packages.

With the 1 July 2014 changes now in force, the Department has received a number of enquiries regarding the new arrangements for income tested fees. The guidelines have been updated to clarify aspects of the new income testing requirements. The updated Home Care Packages Program Guidelines July 2014 are available on the Department of Social Services website.

These guidelines provide policy guidance to support the delivery and management of the Home Care Packages Program.

To provide feedback, or if you have a question about the guidelines or the Home Care Packages Program, email the Department via the Home Care Packages inbox homecarepackages@dss.gov.au

More information on the aged care reforms is available here. Aged care providers can obtain free advice and assistance to help understand the impact of the accommodation payment reforms on its business operations, and how to manage the transition to the new arrangements, by phoning the Transitional Business Advisory Service on 1800 122 092 or by clicking here.