COVID-19 reimbursements will be months, Minister tells LEADERS SUMMIT

In response to a question from the floor about delays in COVID-19 expense reimbursements, Aged Care Minister Anika Wells told last week’s LEADERS SUMMIT that bureaucratic processes are causing the delays – and she apologised.

Payments “will be months,” she conceded, adding, “I apologise for that.”

She said the delays are being caused by the sheer volume of requests being submitted, and the fact that the Department of Health is working with the Department of Social Services on claims.

“It goes back and forth, which means delays,” she said.

The Minister also said the Department is conducting “additional checks and balances” to ensure the reimbursements are being used for the intended purpose. She said all claims up to 30 June have been cleared, and the Department is up to September claims – but providers should still expect payments to take some time.