Recent Developments:
In a webinar hosted yesterday by the Department of Health and Aged Care, several significant updates were shared, which we at TurnPoint want to relay to you to make sure you are kept up to date.
1. Objects of the Act:
The Act will feature specific Objects within chapter 1 part 1 item 5. These Objects are the vision of the act and include establishing a forward-looking aged care system, protecting individuals from mistreatment in aged care, and ensuring their right to choice and control.
2. Universal Provider Registration and Deregistration:
A unified registration process will be introduced across six categories. For the first three categories, the Aged Care Quality standards will not apply during registration, though provider obligations remain mandatory. This approach is intended to reduce industry overregulation. Higher category service providers must still adhere to these standards.
3. Transition to the New Model:
Existing approved providers will be automatically deemed into the new model, and new providers must register under it. Re-registration from July 2024 will align with the new model.
4. Quality Standards:
Considering feedback from the first consultation, the revised Quality Standards are included in the exposure draft. The department aims to prepare the industry for these changes by June 2024, with implementation set for 1 July 2024.
5. Support at Home Timeline:
Key timelines were confirmed including the Single Assessment System starting in July 2024, the replacement of HCP and STRC with Support at Home in July 2025, and the transition of CHSP to SAH no earlier than July 2027.
6. CHSP Transition Delay:
The staged rollout for the transition from a grant-based system to a subsidy-based one for over 800,000 clients is to mitigate risks of provider exits and system failures, as well as to manage significant ICT changes for the government.
7. Single Provider Focus:
From July 2025, Support at Home will focus on single providers, expanding to include multiple service providers from 2027.
8. Support Plan:
Clients will receive a standardised support plan aligned with their assessed goals. The government plans to release a sample plan soon. This plan will dictate the classification, quarterly budget, and services delivered.
9. Unspent Funds:
Responding to feedback, clients will be able to retain up to $1,000 in unspent funds, with excess amounts returned to the government.
10. Optional Budget Pooling:
Provisions will be made for budget pooling among clients, with an example being collective nursing services for clients residing together.
11. Grants for Thin Markets:
A competitive grant process with 3-5 year terms will support services in thin markets, with criteria focusing on cost, expertise, and community contribution.
Watch recording of webinar here: New Aged Care Act and Support at Home program update Webinar
While the new draft bill is extensive, we’ve highlighted the key points that we think are important to point out. At TurnPoint, we’re already deep into designing software solutions to meet the evolving needs of providers, ensuring seamless adaptation to the Support at Home initiative.
We encourage everyone to review the consultation material available here, as well as keeping up to date via the governments dedicated webpage here.
As we approach Support at Home, TurnPoint is dedicated to providing you with the most up to date information as well as our software offering to help you successfully and seamlessly adopt Support at Home.
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