Home Care Packages inclusions and exclusions

A quick summary of inclusions and exclusions to consider when applying for or receiving a Home Care Package. Please chat to your care manager or provider for more in depth information and exceptions.

Inclusions

Specialised foods

• Food for special medical purposes e.g. dysphagia or cognitive impairment

• Formulated supplementary food

Products designed to address situations where the intake of energy and nutrients may not be adequate to meet an individual’s requirements and are intended for the dietary management of a disease, disorder or medical condition that cannot be achieved without the use of the item.

Allied health

• May include podiatry, physiotherapy, chiropractic and hydrotherapy.

• Remedial massage can by funded by HCP if there is an assessed care need, it is required due to age-related (or disability related) decline, it is delivered by an accredited provider.

Allied health professionals must be registered with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) or self–regulated by another national professional association.

Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology (GEAT)

• Prescribed items such as bed transfer rails, walking frames, scooters

• Under advice toilet frames, shower chairs, kitchen stools, magnifiers, personal alarms, low risk jar openers, long handled shower sponges, long handled dustpan and brush, sock aids, large print calendar

Minor home maintenance & regular cleaning

• Minor home maintenance services may be provided where the care recipient was previously able to carry out the activity themselves but can no longer do so safely.
• Regular cleaning: dusting, vacuuming, mopping, making beds, ironing and laundry.

Maintaining access pathways through a property

Lawn mowing, weeding established garden beds, yard clearance where there are safety and access issues, essential pruning.

Exclusions

• Medication, vitamins and supplements

• Heating and cooling

• General household appliances and white goods, including television and refrigerators. Exceptions: items designed for frailty (e.g. tipping kettle), when hygiene is impacted with severe and permanent incontinence, washing machines and dryers may be considered.

• Major home maintenance & specialist cleaning ie requiring a tradesperson. More specialised cleaning is excluded except in cases of severe and permanent incontinence or one-off hoarding remediation.

• Pet care is a general income expense. Exceptions may be considered for some costs for assistance dogs

• Laptops, phone and similar electronics are typically excluded. Exceptions exist for homelessness, medication management, social isolation etc

Source: Home Care Packages (HCP) Program provider webinar: inclusions and exclusions