What Are Home Care Package Inclusions and Exclusions?

When you receive Home Care Package funding, you can use those funds for care services. But other expenses may not be covered.

It's important to know that these rules aren't set in stone. There are various exceptions for Home Care Package exclusions.

Your Home Care Package should provide you with the care services you need. You can then use those services to be independent at home.

Your provider can offer flexible support services tailored to your needs.

This article explores Home Care Package inclusions and exclusions. We'll also talk about how Home Care Package funding works. We'll pay special attention to Home Care Package exclusion exceptions.

What Is Included in Home Care Packages?

Home Care Packages provide patients with residential care services they need at home.

Care services covered by Home Care Packages include the following:

Personal care
Clinical services
Therapy services
Allied health services
Respite care
Wound care
24-hour care
Other clinical services

That being said, each HCP recipient has unique needs. Their package is tailored to their health and care needs.

Some seniors may need more help with personal care. Others might want to focus on outdoor activities. It depends on the person receiving care.

These services don't only include care services related to health. They can also include help with home activities. For instance:

Meal preparation
Light gardening
Home modifications
House cleaning

These services provide ongoing support and required care to older Australians. They help them complete daily tasks around the house.

Thanks to HCP services, they can live normally at home.

Signing up for a Home Care Package gives seniors access to health practitioners. This includes allied health professionals, occupational therapists, specialised nurses, and other health professionals.

Allied health services include:

Speech therapy
Hearing and vision services
Physiotherapy services
Podiatry services
Other therapy services

What Is Excluded from Home Care Packages?

While Home Care Packages cover a wide range of care services, there are many restrictions as well.

Home Care Package exclusions are expenses you would pay for with your general income.

Here's the complete Home Care Package exclusion list:

General expenses
Food
Utilities and bills
Heating and cooling costs
Mortgage payments
Rent
Entertainment activities and sporting events
Club memberships
Medication and medical care expenses
Holiday costs
Emergency calls

You can't use your HCP funds for items covered by the Medicare Benefits Schedule or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

This also applies to medication, medical appointments, hospital visits, or other medical expenses.

You can't use your Home Care Package funds to buy a car or a household appliance.

You can only use these funds to pay for items directly assisting you in your day-to-day activities.

You can't use your Home Care Package funds to pay HCP fees. This includes the basic daily fee and the income-tested care fee.

It's best to talk to your provider to be certain what you can and can't use your Home Care Package funding for.

You should address this matter in your care plan before receiving the care. Your care plan should also be tailored to your existing and ever-changing needs.

Exceptions to Home Care Package Exclusions

Home Care Package exclusions come with some exceptions.

For example, you can't pay for food with your Home Care Package funds.

But, let's say you have enteral feeding requirements or need help with meal preparation. In this case, you would be entitled to various services.

Another example is home modifications. You can't use the funding to pay rent or for your mortgage payments. But you can use it for necessary home maintenance.

For instance, you might need mobility equipment, safety tools, or electrical appliances. This can include:

Bed rails
Slide sheets
Pressure-relieving mattresses
Walking frames
Easy access taps
Raised garden beds
Hearing aids
Aid batteries

Medication and medical expenses aren't covered by Home Care Package funds. But your chosen provider should pay for continence aids and urinary drainage appliances.

Another example would be entertainment activities. You can't use Home Care Package funds for cinema tickets and sporting events.

But certain community activities would be okay. These activities help the care recipients stay connected to their community.

What is and isn't included in your Home Care Package depends on your specific care needs.

Your Home Care Package level and your chosen provider also make a difference.

How Do Home Care Package Funds Work?

Home Care Packages are funded by the Australian Government. When you apply for a Home Care Package, you're applying for government funding.

You pass the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) test if you are eligible. You will be assigned a specific Home Care Package level after that.

Then, you will start receiving HCP funds within a few months.

There are four Home Care Package levels:

Level 1 for those with basic care needs
Level 2 for those with low care needs
Level 3 for those with intermediate care needs
Lever 4 for those with complex care needs

The next step is to choose a home care provider in your area.

Home Care Package providers are registered with the government. They coordinate and deliver the services outlined in your care plan.

You have the freedom to select a provider that best meets your needs and preferences.

The Australian Government will divide your funds to your chosen provider.

The funding is divided into different categories. These categories are based on your assessed care needs and the approved care plan.

The funding is flexible.

You have the option to choose the specific services that meet your long-term needs. Once your care plan is in place, your approved provider will work with you to coordinate those services.

Home Care Package Eligibility

You need to be eligible to apply for a Home Care Package. Here are the most important eligibility criteria for Home Care Packages:

Age

You need to be 65 years or older to be eligible for a Home Care Package. If you're under 65, you may still be eligible if you belong to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community.

Residency

You must be living in Australia and be either an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a person with a special category visa.

Assessment

Before receiving a Home Care Package, you need to undergo a comprehensive assessment. It can be conducted by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or the Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS).

Care Needs

Your assessment should determine what kind of care needs you have. You will also be assigned to a Home Care Package level based on those needs.

Priority Access

The government prioritises Home Care Packages for those with the greatest need. This means that those with more complex care needs may receive higher priority.

Income Assessment

There is no means test to access a Home Care Package. But, you may be asked to contribute to the cost of your care based on your income and financial situation. There are annual and lifetime caps on the amount you may need to pay.

What Haisey Home Care Has to Offer

Haisey Home Care is a trusted Home Care Package provider. We offer services in Melbourne, Sydney, and the surrounding areas.

We aim to provide our clients with high-quality services that will help them live as comfortably as possible.

Haisey Home Care offers the following services:

Companionship
Personal care
Preparing meals
Light housekeeping
Home maintenance
Respite care
Occupational therapy
Medication reminders
Specialised nursing
Laundry services
Social outings and support

We also offer care services that are not on this list. So, if you're interested in specific services, contact us, and we'll be happy to check for you.

A list of services offered by Haisey Home Care

If you need an occupational therapist, a registered nurse, or any other health professional, Haisey Home Care is here for you.

As a dedicated care manager, we offer low, competitive fees. We don't have daily charges or impose any hidden fees.

Our transparent pricing scheme lets us focus on our clients and provide them with the utmost care and respect that they deserve.

Understanding Your Options

Home Care Packages offer a vital lifeline for older Australians. They provide a comprehensive range of services and support.

Thanks to Home Care Packages, seniors can age gracefully and comfortably in the familiarity of their own homes.

Home Care Packages boast an impressive array of inclusions. But the exclusions may limit the scope of services provided.

These exclusions include non-care-related costs and medical expenses unrelated to the care plan.

If you or your family member are in need of specialised aged care services, Haisey Home Care can help you. Contact us for more information or a free assessment in your own home.