Home care providers sceptical of charging RATs to packages

The Federal Government’s plan to allow providers to charge Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to clients’ Home Care Packages has met with mixed reviews from the sector. The Rapid Antigen Tests for Home Care Packages Program allows providers to increase care management fees – with recipients’ consent – to cover RAT kits for testing home care workers, and to use HCP funds to reimburse recipients for their own RAT purchases when used to meet their aged care needs. Michelle Jenkins, CEO of WA-based Community Vision, told The Weekly SOURCE that the scheme only applies to Home Care Packages, with the more widely-used Commonwealth Home Support Programme not eligible.

“The Commonwealth Home Support Programme is probably the one that is used a lot more, while people are waiting for packages – or even in some cases to supplement services where people are waiting for higher level packages – and that programme doesn't have that funding. “We [in Australia] treat Home Care Package clients and residential care as if it’s one program, and CHSP is this poor relation that sits behind,” she said.

Kthryn Bondoc, General Manager for Anglicare at Home, sounded a more positive note, saying Anglicare is pleased the Government is supporting providers with testing options.

“To date we have been working to source and fund testing needs for our clients and staff because we have a duty of care. “This support will make a huge difference in enabling providers to continue the essential care being delivered to our clients,” she said.

Home care providers directly affected by COVID-19 may also be able to access the COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Extension grant, which reimburses them for costs incurred in managing the impact of the virus.