Home Care Packages Program news

We have prepared factsheets for the aged care sector with information on the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Approved aged care providers have an important role to ensure care recipients continue to receive quality care during and after emergency events by being well prepared for any events that might affect services.

The Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, and Minister for Youth and Sport, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, has released the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program Data Report covering the period from 1 July to 30 September 2019.

Heatwave conditions are expected across much of Australia for the remainder of the week.

The department is seeking participation from home care providers in a national survey about the types, volume and cost of care and services delivered as part of home care packages.

Attached is a communique from the Department of Human Services (DHS).

The department has made updates to the material change form to make it clearer what information you need to provide when submitting a change, including in relation to third parties.

Residential and home care service providers can now apply for free independent business advisory services to help them review their operations and provide advice on business management and financial strategies.

The Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, and Minister for Youth and Sport, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, has released the Home Care Packages Program Data Report covering the period from 1 April to 30 June 2019.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has identified an error with the payment of home care subsidy and supplements impacting the July 2019 claim. The issue was identified early and only impacts services that lodged their claims for July between 1 and 4 August 2019.

Home care providers should by now have met the 1 July 2019 home care pricing requirements. This includes publishing pricing information in the new home care pricing schedule, displayed on the My Aged Care website.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a letter on 25 June 2019 to Home Care Package Providers to advise of the reduction to the maximum basic daily fees for some Home Care Packages from 1 July 2019.

An update of the schedules for residential and home care fees and charges, as well as subsidies and supplements will take effect from 1 July 2019. This is in line with changes to the age pension and indexation rates.

The department is developing a Home Care Packages Program Manual (the Manual) for approved home care providers and consumers. This is in response to feedback from the sector about wanting to have one place to find information on the Home Care Packages Program.

An update of the schedules for residential and home care fees and charges, as well as subsidies and supplements will take effect from 20 March 2019. This is in line with changes to the basic age pension and indexation rates.

The Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP has now released the Home Care Packages Program Data Report covering the period from 1 October to 31 December 2018.

A Cyclone Watch has been issued for coastal parts of southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales as Tropical Cyclone Oma approaches. It is important that all aged care providers are well prepared and able to respond to emergency events.