Home Care Packages are now offered from Level 1 to Level 4 with a Level 4 Package attracting the highest level of Government subsidy for people who have the highest needs. There are significant changes in the way these packages are structured compared with the previous system.
With consumer-directed care you will be allocated a budget to ‘buy’ services best suited to your needs to enable you to continue to live independently, with support, for as long as possible. ECHO will provide a case manager to assist you in coordinating the services you need and manage your budget. A statement will be sent each month to keep you informed of exactly what funds you have available and how much you can spend.
An important part of CDC is building on what you CAN do rather than focusing on what you CAN’T. Even if you have health issues, the right sort of assistance can help you feel healthier and help you to get back to doing more things for yourself. It is about assisting you to maintain your independence.
You can speak to a Case Manager at ECHO who will help guide you through the process of the CDC packages.
Price list
A current HCP price list is available here.
Step One
The first point of contact for inquiries is the My Aged Care website on the ‘Help at Home’ page. In order to access a Home Care Package, you will need to be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) to see if you are eligible for a package. Aged Care Assessment Teams are generally based in hospitals.
There is currently a national waitlist for Packages and so there may well be a delay between being assessed for a Package and actually receiving services. Once you have been assessed for a Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 Home Care Package and have received confirmation you have been allocated a package, the next step is to identify a service provider. Package holders can choose any registered provider to host their package.
The way Home Care Packages work is different to the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). Further considerations for package holders include: