Home care providers The SOURCE has spoken to welcomed the clarifications on inclusions and exclusions provided in the January update of the Home Care Package Program Operational Manual – although the exclusion of internet data has been questioned.
Paul Ostrowski, CEO of Australia’s largest independent home care provider, Care Connect, says the updated document has tightened up definitions of what is included and excluded under home care packages, which “assists” care managers in meeting consumers’ needs.
He said currently, 75% of the queries they receive are related to whether or not items are included under their Home Care Package.
Sarah Newman, General Manager of BaptistCare at Home, agrees. She said overall the changes in the updated Manual are “a very good thing”.
She said some home care providers spend home care funds on items that are not in line with the “intent” of the home care program, adding that it’s “outrageous” what some providers are including in home care packages, such as flat screen televisions and white goods.
BaptistCare has lost clients when the home care provider refuses to include an excluded item in a client’s Home Care Package, and the clients moves to another provider that will approve the item.
Sarah noted that the updated manual has excluded internet data from the packages, which is disappointing. BaptistCare has set some clients up with devices for monitoring and social connection, which requires data. If those expenses are no longer covered under their home care package, the consumer will have to pay out of their own pocket – a cost that could be prohibitive for some.
