Can I keep my current cleaner, gardener, physio or podiatrist? Choose your own providers under Support at Home
Self-managed aged care may allow you to keep your current cleaner, gardener, physio or podiatrist. Learn what needs to be approved under Support at Home.
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Moving to self-managed aged care does not necessarily mean saying goodbye to the people you already know and trust.
Under the Support at Home program, self-management may give you more choice over who provides your approved services. This could include a cleaner who understands how you like your home maintained, a gardener you have relied on for years or an allied health professional, such as a physiotherapist or podiatrist, who already understands your needs.
However, keeping an existing service provider is not automatic. The service, the worker and the arrangement must meet Support at Home requirements.
Can I choose my own service providers?
In many cases, yes.
Self-managed aged care can allow you to find and choose your own workers, coordinate services and arrange times that suit you. The activities you want to manage must be agreed with your registered Support at Home provider and documented as part of your care plan.
Your registered provider remains responsible for the safety, quality and suitability of all services delivered through your Support at Home funding. This includes services delivered by workers or businesses that are not directly employed by the provider.
This means your provider will need to review and approve the arrangement before your existing cleaner, gardener, physio or podiatrist can be paid through your Support at Home budget.
What needs to be approved?
First, the service must be included in your Support at Home support plan and fall within the government’s approved service list.
The Support at Home service list includes services such as general house cleaning, gardening, physiotherapy and podiatry. However, the service must relate to your assessed aged care needs and be approved in your support plan. Your funding cannot be used for any household or health expense simply because you already receive the service.
Your existing worker or business may also need to complete your registered provider’s onboarding process. Depending on the service, they may be asked to provide:
- Identification and contact details
- Relevant qualifications or professional registration
- Police checks or other required screening
- Insurance information
- An Australian Business Number and invoicing details
- Agreed service rates and terms
The requirements will depend on the type of service being delivered and the provider’s responsibilities under aged care legislation.
Will I have to change providers?
Sometimes an existing service provider may not meet the required checks, may charge more than your available budget can reasonably support or may be unable to follow the registered provider’s invoicing and reporting processes.
In this situation, your care partner can explain the concern and help you explore other options. The aim is not to take choice away from you. It is to make sure your services remain safe, suitable and connected to your assessed care needs.
Before entering a new self-managed aged care arrangement, ask:
- How are existing service providers approved?
- What checks or documents will they need?
- Does a third-party provider overhead apply?
- How are their invoices submitted and paid?
- What happens if their rates change?
Keep the people you trust with support from Leora
At Leora Healthcare, self-management gives you greater involvement in your care without leaving you to work everything out alone.
We can talk with you about the cleaners, gardeners, allied health professionals and other service providers you would like to keep. We will explain what can be funded, what information is required and how the arrangement may work within your support plan and available budget.
Already have people you trust? Talk to Leora about including them in your self-managed Support at Home arrangement.