What we’ve heard on new quality indicators for residential aged care
Older Australians, aged care providers and peak organisations are getting involved in shaping new quality indicators for the inclusion in the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program)
Extensive consultation and a six-week pilot provided insights from participants on the quality indicators they found most meaningful, useful for quality improvement and appropriate for collection as part of the QI Program in residential aged care.
The findings from consultation and pilot will inform ministerial decision on the quality indicators for inclusion in the QI Program expansion.
To find out more visit the “What we’ve heard” section on the Aged Care Engagement Hub.
Electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) transitional arrangement and grant opportunity
In response to the significant medication management issues identified through the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Government is implementing an eNRMC Transitional Arrangement and eNRMC Adoption Grant from July 2022.
Residential aged care services, prescribers and pharmacists can use Transitional eNRMC Products for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medication chart prescribing, dispensing and administration, without the need for paper medication charts or prescriptions.
Residential aged care services can use funding provided through the upcoming eNRMC Adoption grant opportunity to help cover the costs of adopting a Transitional eNRMC Product.
For further information on the eNRMC Transitional Arrangement and the grant opportunity, please visit the department’s website.
Food and Nutrition Reporting
The next round of Food and Nutrition Reporting opens on 1 July 2022 for the period 1 April to 30 June 2022. To ensure your service continues to receive the Basic Daily Fee supplement of $10 per resident per day, please submit your report by 21 July 2022. Back-payments will not be made.
You will need administrator access to submit the report, which can be accessed under the form submission portal in the My Aged Care service provider portal. There are explanatory notes on our website to assist you completing the report.
For more information or support, call the My Aged Care Provider and Assessor Helpline on 1800 836 799, go to the department’s website or email NutritionInAgedCare@health.gov.au
Quarterly financial report webinar recording
The department recently hosted a technical webinar on the new Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) for the aged care sector. Presenters discussed all segments of the QFR, including viability questions, quarterly financial statements, care costs and labour hours, and food and nutrition.
A recording of the QFR webinar is now available to watch on demand: Quarterly Financial Report webinar.
Presentation slides and a webinar transcript are also available.
Further information on the QFR, including the template, definitions, guide and FAQs can be found on the Forms Administration website.
Survey: How do you find information on health.gov.au/aged care?
We are reviewing the aged care content on the Department of Health’s website, health.gov.au.
The Aged Care Pages Development Survey is our first step in understanding the navigation needs of users, what content needs to be redeveloped and how to make content easier to find.
The information you provide in this survey will help us to design the aged care content and provide benefits to the aged care community.
The Aged Care Pages Development Survey will be open until 5pm on Thursday 14 July.
For help completing the survey, email communication.agedcare@health.gov.au.
Free Workforce Advisory Service available for providers
The Workforce Advisory Service is for residential aged care and home care service providers to develop strategies to help attract, retain and grow the skills of workers. The service supports workforce planning and provides links to available government initiatives.
The service is free, independent and confidential.
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is delivering the independent advisory service until 30 June 2023.
Service providers can apply to access the workforce advisory service on the PwC website.
My Aged Care: Improve the accuracy of your information
The accuracy and currency of your My Aged Care provider profile impacts the impression you make on potential care recipients.
With around 40,000 provider profiles viewed per month on the Find a provider tool, your information needs to be up-to-date, accurate, and well presented. This helps potential recipients better understand and compare your organisation, to choose the right fit for them.
The My Aged Care website has useful tips for providers of different care types, to help them improve their profiles:
- Aged care homes
- Home Care Package providers
- Commonwealth Home Support Programme providers
- Short-term care providers
More locations open with My Aged Care specialists offering face-to-face support
In-person appointments with a My Aged Care Aged Care Specialist Officer are now available at 69 Services Australia locations across Australia.
The Aged Care Specialists can provide advice on:
- the different types of aged care services
- eligibility for government-funded services and referrals for an aged care assessment
- appointing a representative for My Aged Care
- providing financial information about aged care services
- connecting to local support services.
Find a list of locations and information on how to make an appointment on the Services Australia website.
Nominations now open for 2023 Senior Australian of the Year
Do you know an older Australian who is making a difference? Nominations are now open for the 2023 Senior Australian of the Year. This award recognises Australians aged 65 and over who continue to achieve and make a difference to the Australian community and the nation.
2022 Senior Australian of the Year Val Dempsey was recognised for her life-long dedication to volunteering with St John Ambulance. Read Val’s story.
We encourage you to nominate an older Australian who inspires you and is making a contribution to your community.
Nominating is simple and can be done online at australianoftheyear.org.au by 31 July 2022.
Webinar: Reminiscence therapy
Join Swinburne’s Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults for their upcoming free webinar on ageing.
The webinar will be held at 4.45‑6pm AEST on Friday 8 July. It is aimed at people employed in aged care, as well as psychologists, social workers, counsellors and volunteers who work with older adults.
Professor Sunil Bhar from Swinburne University’s Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults will define reminiscence therapy, showcase reminiscence techniques and provide an understanding of how reminiscence can improve mental health outcomes for older adults.
Professor Bhar will also present case studies to demonstrate the application of reminiscence therapy to older adults with depressive symptoms.
Find out more information and register for the webinar.
Do you need support with AN-ACC?
The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN‑ACC) is on track to replace the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) on 1 October 2022.
If you need support in understanding AN‑ACC funding levels and care minute targets, contact the AN-ACC Funding Helpdesk.
For assistance with the My Aged Care Provider Portal, reach out to the My Aged Care service provider helpline on 1800 836 799 or refer to the My Aged Care Provider Portal User Guide.
You can also email any questions, complaints, or concerns about the AN‑ACC shadow assessment process to the Shadow Assessments Contact Centre.
Stay up to date by regularly visiting the AN-ACC webpage, as we continually develop and update AN‑ACC materials based on feedback from stakeholders.
Default AN-ACC classifications
Residents that do not have an initial Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN‑ACC) will receive one of the following default classifications:
- Class 98 – residents entering with an approved Palliative Care Plan
- Class 99 – residents entering for permanent care
- Class 100 – residents entering for respite care
These will initially be assigned for residents entering care on or after 27 June 2022 and will be applied to any resident who does not have a classification by 1 October 2022.
Around 88% of active residents now have an AN‑ACC classification – the department is on track to complete all assessments well before we go live with the new funding model.
The default classifications will determine the variable rates providers will receive from 1 October 2022, before an assessment is completed. Providers will be advised of the default rates prior to the implementation of AN‑ACC.
Once assessed, the resident’s actual classification will replace the default classification, with payment adjusted automatically.
Apply to claim specialisation for care of older Australians from diverse backgrounds
Aged care providers who specialise in delivering care that is sensitive to the needs of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences can now apply for verification.
To claim specialisation, providers need to show evidence that they meet the criteria for individual groups. This goes beyond the minimum standard of inclusive, person-centred care required under the Aged Care Quality Standards and Charter of Aged Care Rights.
An independent assessor will verify applications and the outcome will be published on your My Aged Care Find a Provider profile from October. Verified specialisations will remain valid for three years.
Following a transition period, providers whose specialisations have not been verified will have those claims removed from their My Aged Care profile.
Services Australia: Changes to aged care claiming
Services Australia are upgrading their aged care payment system in July, to support the residential aged care funding reform due to commence later this year.
As a result, online claiming channels for residential aged care will not be at full capacity from 14 to 22 July 2022 inclusive. This will impact services using the Aged Care Provider Portal and services submitting claims through Aged Care Web Services.
Providers won’t be able to submit events or finalise claims for residential aged care services between these dates inclusive.
All claims must be lodged by 10 July 2022 to ensure they are processed before the system is at reduced capacity.
Providers will be paid the July advance as normal and will also be paid the August advance early (mid-July) to minimise financial impacts.
You can find out more on the Services Australia website.
Information for providers yet to upgrade to Services Australia’s Aged Care Online web services
From 1 July 2022, providers will be unable to transact using Adaptor technology, including submitting claims and event updates. There is no exception or ability to extend past this date. Please contact your software developer for support if you lose access from this date.
Providers that have not transitioned to web services will be able to conduct business using the Aged Care Provider Portal. Please continue to work with your developer to transition to web services.
Please ensure you allow up to 10 days for activation of your web services device after you have submitted a complete registration form. Your software developer can assist you with completing the Register or update for Aged Care Web Services form (AC027).