Aged Care Access Initiative

Overview

Objectives

Partners

Achievements

Resources and Links

Contact Officers

Overview

Older Australians living in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) are amongst the frailest people in our society, often having complex care needs requiring multidisciplinary providers.  Some residents of aged care facilities experience difficulties in accessing the services of General Practitioners (GPs) and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs).

The Aged Care GP Panels Initiative, which commenced in 2004, addressed some of these issues.  The Initiative also facilitated relationship building between GPs, Divisions of General Practice and RACFs.  Commonwealth funding for the Aged Care GP Panels Initiative ceased in June 2008.

In the 2008-09 Federal Budget a new program for residents of aged care facilities - the ‘Aged Care Access Initiative’ - was announced, which will be funded until 30 June 2011.

Objectives

General Practice Tasmania’s involvement with Aged Care at present is focussed on the Aged Care Access Initiative (ACAI).

Aim

The aim of the ACAI is to improve access to primary care (GP and AHP services) for residents of aged care facilities.

Scope

The ACAI supports improving access to GP and allied health services for residents of aged care facilities through two separate components:

1. An incentive payment through the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) to encourage GPs to provide more services in RACFs.  The GP ACAI recognises some of the difficulties faced by GPs in providing care in these settings and aims to encourage GPs to continue to provide increased and continuing services in RACFs.  The PIP payments will be administered through Medicare Australia.
2. A payment for clinical care provided by AHPs in RACFs, where these services are not currently covered by Medicare or other government funding arrangements.  This component is being managed by State Based Organisations in each State and Territory.
   

In Tasmania

General Practice Tasmania is administering the ACAI as follows:

1. Entitlement to Invoice Vouchers

1. Entitlement to Invoice Vouchers (to the value $50) have been issued to RACFs based on needs and low care bed numbers. The vouchers have an expiry date.
2. RACFs complete Step 1 of the voucher and provide the appropriate number of vouchers to AHPs to cover the cost of eligible allied health services. These vouchers entitle the AHPs to invoice GPT for the services provided.

3. GPT will pay AHPs directly upon receipt of vouchers and a correctly rendered tax invoice.

 2. Contracting with Divisions of General Practice to provide allied health services directly to RACFs:

• General Practice North

• General Practice North West

• General Practice South

Partners

• The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN)
• The State Based Organisations (SBOs)
• Divisions of General Practice (DGPs) across Australia
• Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA)
• Aged and Community Services Tasmania (ACST) 

Achievements

• The Divisions of General Practice in Tasmania conducted needs assessments to allow for identification of services required for the ACAI
• Development of voucher system for the ACAI and distribution to RACFs
• Allied Health Taskforce engagement
• Liaising with Aged Care Services Tasmania

Contact Officer(s)