Annual report reveals areas of ‘main activity’ in aged care pricing
Trends of the past five years, the performance of the Aged Care Pricing Commissioner over the past 12 months, and hopes for what the upcoming year will bring, have been revealed as the key features of the 2018 Aged Care Pricing Commission Annual Report.
Trends of the past five years have been revealed in the 2018 Aged Care Pricing Commission Annual Report (Source: Shutterstock)
Released on 31 October, the report is the first one compiled by Commissioner John Dicer who was appointed the role in May this year.
Mr Dicer highlighted Renewal Applications as an “area of main activity” within the report – having received 539 applications, an increase of 85 percent on the previous year, with 386 passing approval.
“One main area of activity this year has been the Renewal Applications for approvals for accommodation prices above $550,000 that were made on or before 1 July 2014,” he says.
“Over 2017/18 the ACPC received 539 applications, an increase of 85.22 percent on 2016-17 when there were 291 applications.
“Of the 539 applications, 220 of these were renewal applications… from 42 providers, covering 66 facilities and in respect of 2,978 rooms.”
In the report Mr Dicer also acknowledges that the number of residential aged care places/rooms approved nationally “continues to grow fairly steadily” over the last five years, noting that approval times for applications and renewals were all “well within” the 60 day period.
Federal Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Ken Wyatt announced the release of the report – highlighting that the work of the Aged Care Pricing Commissioner “contributes to the achievement of our Government’s aged care reform agenda, particularly its objective to improve transparency in pricing in residential aged care facilities”.
Minister Wyatt also notes Mr Dicer’s future plans for the upcoming 12 months in his role as Commissioner.
“Commissioner John Dicer – who was appointed to the role in May – seeks to advocate and promote a collaborative approach with stakeholders to gain a broader view of the aged care industry,” Minister Wyatt says.
“He is planning new industry working groups to help obtain feedback from the sector, and will continue regular visits to aged care facilities and actively seek real engagement with providers, peak bodies, Government and financial institutions.”
Mr Dicer elaborates on the Minister’s mention of his future endeavours within the role.
“The office of the ACPC contributes in a positive way to the achievement of the Government’s objectives under the Aged Care Act, to improve and increase transparency in pricing in residential aged care services, ensuring at all times aged care residents receive real value in terms of quality accommodation, care, services and amenity of facilities,” he explains.
“Over the next 12 months, I would like to work on a number of tasks which I believe will have real and enduring value to the industry and Government.”
He says his work will include:
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Review and revision of ACPC internal processes and procedures
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Regular and active engagement with industry, peak bodies, providers and consumers
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Creation of new Industry Reference and Working Groups to improve consultation and aid feedback
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Complete review and revision of the ACPC’s website to improve relevance, readability and utility, including updated guides and FAQs
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Development of a newsletter on activities, trends and concerns as seen by this office
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Regular meetings and visits to aged care facilities
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Active engagement with financial institutions
The full 2018 Aged Care Pricing Commissioner Annual Report is available to view online.
