Home Care Package Providers – And why do I Need One?

To access your Home Care Package, you need to be signed on with a registered provider. Your provider is responsible for the care and reporting requirements for your Home Care Package funding.

At a minimum, your provider is responsible for:

• Manage your Home Care Package subsidy on your behalf – known as package management
• Manage your Home Care Package care – known as care management

Package management

Package management includes the service delivered by your Home Care Package provider that supports the delivery of your Home Care Package. Package management includes:

• Establishing and managing your home care budgets
• Processing invoices and payments to third parties
• Approving payments under your care plan
• Submitting claims to Services Australia
• Financial management of your Home Care Package

Care management

Care management includes the services delivered by your Home Care Package provider that support your care management. Care management includes:

• Assessing your care needs, goals and preferences
• Establishing and reviewing your home care agreement and care plan
• Ensuring care and services are aligned with other supports and are safe
• Identify and address any safety, health or wellbeing concerns.

What do Home Care Package providers do?

Home Care Package providers collaborate with you to develop your care plan and manage your package budget. They use the information from your aged care assessment and the details you share during your meetings to create a plan for the services you need within your budget.

Home Care Package providers – service options

There are two different kinds of Home Care Package providers:

• Fully managed, and
• Self-managed

Fully managed Home Care Package providers

Fully managed Home Care Package providers are known as traditional providers. They take care of your package’s financial and administrative elements, including choosing, booking, and rostering your care workers. Most traditional providers have their own care workforce, so you are allocated carers employed by the provider.

This option suits people who feel they cannot manage their care workers. However, using a fully managed provider is often more expensive.

Self-managed providers

Self-managed providers often take a more flexible approach to your Home Care Package management. Many self-managed providers will allow you to choose and schedule your care workers, giving you more control over who and when your care is delivered.

This model usually significantly reduces the management costs associated with managing your Home Care Package, leaving more of your Home Care Package budget for care and services.

Self-management also gives you absolute control over who is in your home and when.

Looking for a Home Care Package provider

The most important thing to consider when looking for a Home Care Package provider is the level of care you will receive. You must use a provider registered with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Other considerations include:

• What are the costs involved?
• Are their services available in my area?
• Can they provide me with the type of service I need?
• Do they have availability?
• Do they have an online platform that allows me to view important details about my Home Care Package online?

Fees and charges

Each service provider has a pricing structure for their services, which can vary widely. It is advisable to compare the offerings of different providers to ensure that you are maximising the value of your Home Care Package funds. Provider charges will be deducted from your Home Care Package and are restricted to:

• Package management: A maximum of 15% of your package
• Care management: A maximum of 20% of your package

Fees to consider:

Package management fee:

• This covers the management of your Home Care Package

Care management fee:

• This covers your Home Care Package care management.

Establishment or setup fees:

• Not all providers charge this fee
• This covers the costs of setting up your services, such as your care plan, care budget and general administration costs

Basic daily fee:

• Not all providers charge this fee
• This fee can range from 15.68% to 17.50% of your Home Care Package

Income tested fee:

• The income-tested fee is a means-tested fee
• Services Australia determines this fee
• As a guide, if you are on a full pension or have an income of no more than $32,331 per year, you will not have to pay an income-tested care fee.

All providers must publish their complete price list for all services and costs online.

Would you like more information about Home Care Package providers? Trilogy Care has developed a Home Care Package provider – your questions answered information pack. This pack has been designed to help you choose the best Home Care Package for you. To download or request a mailed copy, go to trilogycare.com.au/HomeCarePackageProviders or call the Trilogy Care team on 1300 459 190.

Who is Trilogy Care?

Trilogy Care support you to live well at home for longer, by helping you build and self-manage the Home Care Package you want and need.

Our experienced team provides personalised care planning and budget administration, as well as the option for coordination of supports, to help you maximise your care hours and your well-being.

We offer self-managed Home Care Package management for a flat fee of 15% of your Home Care Package budget.

For more information, go to trilogycare.com.au or call the Trilogy Care team on 1300 459 190.