Should you self-manage your Home Care Package?
Whether you self-manage your Home Care Package or choose a fully managed plan, you’ll still have choice and control over your support workers, your schedule, your spending, and your care.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of self-managing a Home Care Package:
What is a self-managed Home Care Package?
When you self-manage your Home Care Package, you take greater responsibility for:
- Deciding how your Home Care Package funding is spent.
- Choosing and appointing care service providers
- Scheduling and booking service providers and carers.
- Physically paying for the services you receive.
- Making sure the funds you spend match your care plan and budget.
When you self-manage, do you still need to engage a Home Care Package Provider?
Yes.
When you self-manage your Home Care Package, you are legally required to engage a Home Care Package Provider to receive and hold onto your funds until you use them to purchase approved supports and services.
You also need to coordinate with them to ensure your care and spending are compliant with your package, to approve carers, access your funds and track spending.
Many providers oversee self-managed Home Care Packages for a small fee.
As a self-managed Home Care Package recipient, you can decide how involved your chosen provider will be in the management of your care services.
Who can self-manage a Home Care Package?
Anyone with a Home Care Package can choose to self-manage, or have a carer, family member or other representative assist.
What are the Advantages of a Self-managed Package?
Choice:
The biggest advantage of self-management is that you have full choice and control over all your spending. You’ll always have full transparency about exactly what your options are, and about every choice you make regarding your care.
Cost:
When you self-manage you generally pay a lower fee to your Home Care Package Provider than you would when receiving full management services.
What are the Disadvantages of a Self-managed Package?
Responsibility for rostering:
Home Care Package Providers use a pool of carers and service providers to deliver services to their clients. When you self-manage, you don’t always have a pool of carers to draw from – unless you organise them yourself. If your carer cancels at the last minute, is sick or cannot deliver a rostered service, it’s up to you to find an alternate carer.
Time:
Managing every detail of your care takes more time and energy, especially from an administrative perspective. You are responsible for:
- finding, coordinating, rostering, and paying for services
- managing your budget
- learning to use new technology.
- solving any issues you have with carers.
- making sure your care plan is always up to date.
You could spend anywhere between 2-10 hours per week coordinating services and completing administrative tasks.
Complexity:
When you self-manage a Home Care Package it can be challenging to find appropriately qualified carers and to maintain your care plan without the customised advice of a Home Care Package Provider. Lack of expertise may result in missing out on essential services, struggling with processes, or accidentally overspending your budget.
Will all Home Care Package Providers let you self-manage?
Many Home Care Package Providers will administer self-managed Home Care Packages – but not all of them. So how can you find one that does?
This is where Aged Care Decisions can help.
Our 100% FREE home care matching service helps tens of thousands of Australian families find Home Care Package Providers that suit their needs.
Our custom-built software together with our Placement Specialists can match your location, budget, care needs and personal preferences with available providers that suit your specific needs.
How to self-manage your Home Care Package
If you’re considering self-managing your Home Care Package, here’s a straightforward guide to help you take control of your care with confidence.
Step 1: Get assessed and approved for a Home Care Package
- Contact My Aged Care and request an assessment: Start by contacting My Aged Care either online or by phone to request an assessment. An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) will evaluate your care needs.
- Undergo the assessment: The ACAT will conduct an in-person assessment to determine your eligibility for a Home Care Package and what level of care you require based on your needs.
- Receive approval and a referral code: Once approved, you’ll receive a referral code and be assigned a package level (1 to 4) based on your assessed care needs. This code is essential for accessing your Home Care Package.
Learn More: What is an ACAT assessment?
Learn More: A guide to every Home Care Package Level
Step 2: Choose a Home Care Package Provider that supports self-management
- Research providers: Not all providers offer true self-management options. Look for providers that explicitly support consumer-directed care and offer flexibility in how you manage your funds and services.
- Compare fees and services: Contact several providers to compare their fees (including administration and care management fees) and the services they offer. Understand how much control you’ll have over your care plan and budget.
- Ask about their self-management approach: Inquire about the level of support they provide for self-management, including tools, resources, and guidance to help you manage your package effectively.
Need help choosing a provider? Aged Care Decisions can quickly connect you with Home Care Package providers that support self-management, so you get the control and flexibility you want. Plus, it’s 100% free and independent. Get started today and receive a personalised list of trusted providers!
Step 3: Sign a service agreement within 56 days
- Understand the agreement: Review the service agreement carefully before signing. It should clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of both you and the provider, including who manages bookings, payments, and care coordination.
- Clarify the financial aspects: Make sure the agreement specifies how your funds will be managed, including any fees, charges, and how unused funds will be handled.
- Be aware of the deadline: You have 56 days from the date of your approval letter to sign a service agreement with a provider. Missing this deadline can result in losing access to your allocated package.
Step 4: Understand your care plan and budget
- Review your care plan: Work with your provider to develop a detailed care plan that outlines the specific services you need, your goals, and how these services will be delivered.
- Know what your package covers: Understand what your Home Care Package funds can be used for, including eligible services and any restrictions on spending.
- Allocate your budget: Discuss with your provider how your budget will be allocated to cover the services outlined in your care plan, ensuring it aligns with your priorities and needs.
Step 5: Build your support team
- Define your requirements: Determine the specific skills, qualifications, and experience you need in your support workers to meet your care needs effectively.
- Screen potential workers: Review profiles, conduct interviews, and check references to ensure potential workers have the right skills, experience, and attitude to provide quality care.
- Arrange meet-and-greets: Schedule in-person or virtual meet-and-greets to assess compatibility and ensure you feel comfortable with the workers you choose.
- Consider engaging people you know: You can engage people you know, such as friends or family members, as support workers, provided they meet the provider’s and regulatory requirements.
Step 6: Manage scheduling and services yourself
- Take control of your schedule: Decide when and how often support workers come to help you, giving you greater control over your daily routine and care arrangements.
- Communicate directly with carers: Communicate directly with your carers to set schedules, discuss tasks, and ensure they understand your needs and preferences.
- Be flexible and adaptable: Be prepared to adjust schedules and services as needed to accommodate changing needs or unexpected circumstances.
Step 7: Keep detailed records and track your spending
- Maintain accurate records: Keep detailed records of all services received, including dates, times, tasks performed, and the names of the support workers involved.
- Collect invoices and receipts: Collect invoices and receipts for all services and purchases made using your Home Care Package funds, ensuring they align with your care plan and budget.
- Utilise tracking tools: Use your provider’s tools or self-management platforms to track your budget and spending, ensuring you stay within your allocated funds.
Step 8: Communicate regularly with your provider
- Keep your provider informed: Keep your provider informed about your care arrangements, including any changes to your care plan, schedule, or support team.
- Seek guidance and support: Don’t hesitate to seek guidance and support from your provider if you have questions, concerns, or need assistance with any aspect of managing your Home Care Package.
- Address issues promptly: Work with your provider to resolve any issues or conflicts that may arise, ensuring your care remains safe, effective, and compliant with Home Care Package rules.
Step 9: Review and adjust your care plan as needed
- Schedule regular reviews: Schedule regular reviews of your care plan and budget with your provider to assess your progress, identify any unmet needs, and make adjustments as necessary.
- Adapt to changing needs: Be prepared to adapt your support team or services to suit your changing needs, whether due to health changes, personal circumstances, or evolving preferences.
- Ensure ongoing compliance: Work with your provider to ensure your care plan and budget remain compliant with Home Care Package rules and regulations, making adjustments as needed to maintain access to funding.
Can you have a relative self-manage your home care package?
Yes, a relative can help you self-manage your Home Care Package, but there are some important rules and conditions to follow.
Here’s what you need to know:
- You remain the official package holder: Even if a family member helps, you are still responsible for how the funds are used and must ensure they comply with government guidelines.
- They can act as a nominated representative: You can formally nominate a relative to manage communications, invoices, rostering, and other admin on your behalf. This should be documented with your provider.
- Payments to family members are restricted: In most cases, Home Care Package funds cannot be used to pay family members for providing care or support unless:
- It’s pre-approved by your provider.
- It meets strict criteria outlined by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
- There’s a genuine need and no suitable alternative available.
- Must comply with government rules: Whether it’s you or a relative managing the package, all spending must follow the Aged Care Act and Home Care Package Guidelines. Misuse of funds can lead to audits or cancellation.
Can you switch to self-management if you already have a Home Care Package Provider?
Yes.
You can ask your current provider if they will partner with you as you self-manage your Home Care Package. Some providers may insist that you choose service providers they employ. Every provider will be different.
You can also switch to a new Home Care Package Provider that better suits your needs.
Aged Care Decisions’ 100% FREE matching service can assist you to find and compare Home Care Package Providers in your area, that offer self-management options.
Read more:
Three steps to switching home care providers – at no cost (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
