Schedule 1 Amendments

(section 3)

[1] Section 15.3, after definition of extended aged care at home package

insert

innovative care service means a flexible care service that provides care of a kind specified in section 15.24.

[2] After Chapter 3

insert

Chapter 4 Innovative care services

Part 1 Eligibility for flexible care subsidy

Division 1 Care recipients who do not need approval

15.21 Purpose of Division (Act s 50-1)

This Division specifies a class of people who do not need approval under Part 2.3 of the Act in respect of flexible care.

15.22 Class of people

The class of people is care recipients who are receiving flexible care through an innovative care service.

Division 2 Kinds of care for which flexible care subsidy may be payable

15.23 Purpose of Division (Act s 50-2)

This Division specifies kinds of innovative care services for which flexible care subsidy may be payable.

15.24 Kinds of care

(1) The following kinds of care are specified for subsection 50-2 (1) of the Act:

(a) care that, by its nature, provides alternative care options;

(b) care provided in circumstances that require the delivery of alternative care options;

(d) care provided to a group of people who are in need of alternative care options;

(e) care provided for a limited period to facilitate alternative care options;

(f) other kinds of care that, to the satisfaction of the Secretary:

(i) are provided in a residential or community setting; and

(ii) provide alternative care options.

Examples for paragraph (a)

1 The provision of care for older persons with complex conditions.

2 The provision of care for older persons who require coordination and integration of care.

Examples for paragraph (b)

1 Care provided in an emergency such as natural disasters including fire or flood.

2 Initiatives to address access by older persons to, or the viability of, aged care services.

3 Care provided where the care needs of a care recipient are not being adequately met by available residential care services or community care services.

4 Joint initiatives between the Commonwealth and a State or Territory to promote alternative care options for older persons.

Example for paragraph (c)

Care provided in a rural or remote area.

Examples for paragraph (d)

1 Care provided to older persons who require coordination and integration of care.

2 Care provided to older persons with complex, chronic conditions.

3 Care provided to older persons who need short term aged care following hospitalisation.

Examples for paragraph (e)

1 Care provided by a pilot service or project.

2 Care provided to care recipients in places that have been allocated for a limited time in an emergency.

(2) In this section:

alternative care options means options for providing flexible care to older persons that meets the needs of care recipients in alternative ways to the care provided through residential care services and community care services.

Part 2 Payment of flexible care subsidy

15.25 Purpose of Part (Act s 51-1)

This Part sets out the requirements for payment of flexible care subsidy to approved providers for flexible care through innovative care services.

15.26 Payment of subsidy

(1) Subject to subsection (2), flexible care subsidy is payable to an approved provider in accordance with the conditions, if any, set by the Secretary under section 14-5 of the Act in relation to the allocation of places to the provider.

(2) If an approved provider is providing innovative care in accordance with a joint initiative of the Commonwealth and a State or Territory, flexible care subsidy is payable to the approved provider only if:

(a) the State or Territory also provides funding, at a level agreed with the Commonwealth, for the approved provider; and

(b) the State or Territory funding is directed to meeting the needs of care recipients that are the responsibility of the State or Territory.

Examples for paragraph (b)

1 Rehabilitation.

2 In-patient services.