As of 1 January 2023, some important changes are coming to Home Care Package charges. The Australian Government has announced that these changes will bring more transparency to how providers charge, and set limits on care and package management prices. The aim is to reduce excessive charges and improve your ability to compare prices between providers.
What does this mean for you?
If you receive a Home Care Package, then you will be affected by these changes. Below, we outline what the changes are and how they will impact you.
What is changing?
From 1 January 2023, there will be set limits on what providers can charge you for care and package management. In addition, providers will no longer be able to charge you exit fees, additional costs for third-party goods or services, or package management charges in a month (except for the first month of care) where you do not receive services other than care management.
How does this affect your Home Care Package?
If your provider is already charging less than the new limits for care and package management, you won’t see any changes to these charges. However, if your provider is charging above the new limits, they will need to reduce their prices from 1 January 2023.
Some providers may need to adjust their pricing models to remove exit charges and additional costs for third-party goods or services. This may mean there are some reasonable increases in service charges. But it ultimately ensures that you only ever pay the published price – with no hidden charges.
What do you need to do?
If your provider needs to lower their care and package management charges, they must let you know. You do not need to do anything to receive these lower charges. If your provider increases their prices, they must seek your consent before doing so. You have the right to understand all charges and what they mean.
Your provider must clearly explain their price increase, including what is changing, why it needs to change, what the new price will include, and when the new price will start.
In conclusion, these changes are designed to make Home Care Packages more transparent and affordable for all Australians. If you have any questions about these changes, please don’t hesitate to contact your Home Care Package provider or the Department of Health and Aged Care.