There appears to be some misinformation around suggesting scooters are no longer being approved under the Home Care Package. Â The following information has been provided by the Home Care team in the Department of Health and Ageing to ATSA clarifying this matter.
“Are mobility scooters included?
- Mobility scooters can be funded under HCP
- It is the provider’s role as part of their care management obligations to work with the care recipient to determine therapeutic need and appropriateness, using the inclusion/exclusion framework that has been in place since 2020.
- Providers who do not understand their care management responsibilities in supporting care recipients to understand inclusions and exclusions will be referred to the regulator, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
- The Australian Government has also funded an additional $25 million for Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology (GEAT), such as mobility aids, under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and expanded access to eligible HCP care recipients who urgently need equipment.
- Existing and approved HCP care recipients are eligible to access GEAT through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme if they meet the following criteria:
- an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) has assessed the care recipient as having an urgent or immediate need for equipment; and
- they have insufficient funds in their HCP budget for GEAT to meet short term needs. “
- Existing and approved HCP care recipients are eligible to access GEAT through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme if they meet the following criteria:
Should you have any issues in regard to this matter, please contact Margaret Noonan at margaretnoonan@atsa.org.au
