Self managed packages

There have been some big changes within the aged care sector, particularly with community care over the past couple of years.

And from such changes there are new models and opportunities arriving in the marketplace, adding to even greater confusion…but also choice, which is not a bad thing.

So, if you and your ageing loved one have started the journey into My Aged Care, package providers, service agreements and Consumer Directed Care you should be aware that delivery of services and support by the package provider is now regarded as ‘consumer directed’, meaning that the services and support that is delivered to you as the recipient of the package, should be delivered in the context of what YOU want and need.

A newer model to have landed in the marketplace takes the notion of Consumer Directed Care one step further, that being self managed packages.

Home Care Packages are administered by a provider.
The provider could be any of the ‘industry leaders’, the big players with household recognisable names or the provider could be one of the newer players, smaller but nonetheless very good at delivering Consumer Directed Care within a package.

Provider administered packages often see the provider charging an administrative fee, possibly a care coordination fee and maybe the basic daily fee.
Some may also charge an exit fee if you choose to move from one provider to another.

However, a new model is emerging within the marketplace that gives the recipient of a package the ability to manage their own package and potentially mitigate some of these costs.

How does it work?

Typically, a package provider will charge around 30% of your package subsidy to administer the services and support within your package.
Some providers will charge less and some providers sadly will charge more.

The ‘traditional’ provider then provides you with the cleaner, the person to monitor your medications, the person to mow your lawn or whatever you have agreed upon within your package…the provider sources and provides the care workers (in most cases but not all).

The new providers, within this new model offer an alternative by charging a fixed fee to administer your package.
And the fixed fee is significantly less than what most ‘traditional’ providers are charging.
There are no additional charges for care coordination or case management.
This is a self managed package.

Now, I can see how you might get really excited about how much less a self managed provider charges…and you’re right to be excited because charging less to administer your package means there is more money available to you for the services and support that you need.

But…as a self managed package it will be your responsibility to source your own care workers and determine your own schedule of care for your ageing loved one.

Whilst this provides complete flexibility and means that you can employ just about who ever you want to care for your loved one, it also means being responsive and flexible when said care worker cannot fill a shift.

It means that you’ll need to have your plan B ready to go in the event that your chosen care worker needs a day off.

Self managed Home Care Packages are a good option.
They may not be the right option for everyone though.
But it’s great to see new models arriving in the marketplace and giving consumers a real choice…which is what it’s all about.