Independent Health Care Service (IHCS) is an approved provider of Home Care Packages in Tasmania.
Home Care Packages are individually planned and coordinated packages of care targeted towards frail older people, living in the community, who have expressed a preference to live at home. All our packages are delivered on a consumer directed care basis, giving you choice regarding your services.
Home Care Packages are regulated by the Aged Care Act 1997 and funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Department of Health.
There are 4 levels of Home Care Packages available:
- Home Care Level 1 – a package to support people with basic care needs.
- Home Care Level 2 – a package to support people with low level care needs.
- Home Care Level 3 – a package to support people with intermediate care needs.
- Home Care Level 4 – a package to support people with high care needs.
To access a Home Care Package, you will first need to have a free assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) to determine if you are eligible. To commence this process, you can contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 who will help you work out your needs and support requirements, and organise for a assessor to come to your home. Alternatively, you can contact ACAT directly – their contact details can be found on the My Aged Care website.
Services Available to Home Care Package Recipients
The range of care and services available at any level of a Home Care Package may include the following:
- Personal care services
- Assistance with domestic activities
- Assistance to access the community including transport for shopping and bill paying and to medical appointments
- Continence Management
- Provision of aids and equipment to enhance safety and independence
- Assistance and support to take part in social and community activities that promote and protect your lifestyle, interests and wellbeing
- Clinical care including nursing, allied health and therapy services such as speech therapy, podiatry, occupational or physiotherapy services – this may include referrals to health practitioners and service providers.
The list above is just the beginning—we will be happy to work with you on innovative ideas of your choice.
Your service, your choice.
Planning Process
Planning for the services includes working with you and helping you to make choices about the types of care and services you would like to have, who will deliver those services and when the services will be delivered.
Our Home Care Package Coordinators can assist you to identify what you would like to achieve through the program and help you identify priorities for services.
You can choose the level of involvement you wish to have in managing your package. This may vary over time as your needs change. Involvement in managing your package could include making contact with service providers, negotiating fees, scheduling appointments, and monitoring the quality of services provided. Administration activities could include record keeping and managing invoices.
Home Care Agreement
In line with the funding guidelines for Home Care Packages, IHCS will invite you to enter into a Home Care Agreement. The Home Care Agreement sets out a number of key elements about how the Home Care Package will be delivered. Your Agreement will include the commencement date of services, what services will be delivered, when they will be delivered, and who will deliver the service/s. Information on fees and charges for Home Care Packages and your rights and responsibilities are also included in the Agreement.
Home Care Package Fees
The Commonwealth Government provides funding for each Home Care Package. In addition to this funding, you may be required to pay a co-payment (daily fee) and you may also be asked to pay an income-tested care fee which is determined by a Government assessment. Further information on home care package fees, can be found on the My Aged Care website.
Home Care Package Budgets
An individualised budget will be prepared with you (or your representative) and an Independent Health Care Service Coordinator as part of the planning process, which will be based on the agreed service delivery plan. A proportion of the budget is set aside for Administrative and Care Coordination costs. IHCS ensures the fees for Administrative components are set at an affordable level, and we are happy to discuss these with you at any time.
Your budget may also include a small “contingency” to make provision for emergencies, unplanned events or increased care needs in the future.
Home Care Standards
The Home Care Standards apply to the delivery of Home Care Packages. The Standards are contained in Schedule 4 to the Quality of Care Principles 2014.