Are there different types of Service providers?
Yes. The main types are full broker service providers which charge for Care Management and Package Management as a monthly admin fee from your package. Some agencies can also charge a daily fee and an exit fee.
Better Care Options is not a full service provider. We are a fully accredited ISO9001 company and we do have contracts/agreements with some brokers to supply support workers for their clients.
Does Better Care Options provide a full broker service i.e. Care and Plan Management?
No Better Care Options is a fully accredited ISO9001 company that provides support
workers to assist registered Aged Care providers such as Ruscare, Jewish Care, Trilogy and Aunty Grace to meet the care service requests of their broker clients.
How do I change my service provider?
- Firstly you will have to provide notice as detailed in your current service agreement. Notice of exit is usually given in writing and there may be up to one month’s notice required before ceasing support services.
- Agree an exit date with your current provider and a start date with your new service provider.
- Contact myAged Care on 1800 200 422 to re-activate your referral code. This must be done before you start receiving services from your new provider.
- Once this is done, and you complete a service agreement with your new provider, your services can recommence.
Can I change my service provider but keep my current support worker?
Yes, but for this to happen your support worker would have to be employed by your new provider or by Better Care Options if we have your new provider as one of our clients. Support workers can work for multiple service providers, so this is often not an issue for them.
How do I give notice to my current service provider?
Your service agreement with your current agency will specify how to give notice of an exit and how long that notice has to be. Generally speaking the notice must be given in writing.
What happens if I don’t want a Service Provider to manage my Home Care Package?
There are service providers that let you self manage your home care package with as little or as much assistance as you require. This often means a saving on Care Management Fees ( which can be up to 15% or more of your Aged Care Package) to put towards extra services.
If I go to another Provider, will I still get the same services/support hours?
The short answer is yes as most providers provide a similar range of services. The number of support hours will depend on how high the management fees are. When choosing a new provider it’s important to compare fees, especially Care Plan and Package Management and also if you need to pay any daily charges or exit fees.
How do I find my new provider?
The myAgedCare website has a tool to find providers in your area or you can contact the team at Better Care Options on 0409576211, or email servicemanager@bettercareoptions.com.au and we will assist you to find a suitable service provider.
What is my Referral Code and how do I get it re-activated?
- Your referral code is assigned to you by MyAgedCare (www.myagedcare.gov.au) or phone 1800 20 422 (Mon-Fri 8am – 8pm, Sat 10am-2pm) and is required for your provider to access the funds in your Aged Care package to fund your Aged Care services.
- When changing providers you must re-activate your referral code so the new service provider can access your home care package. Your code can be re-activated online under the services tab on the myAgedCAre website or by calling on the number above.
- Any unspent funds from your previous provider are held by the government for 70 days before your new provider can access them.
Will I have to make a personal contribution to get Aged Care Services?
Unless you are a full Pensioner, you may be asked to pay an Income Tested Care Fee (ITCF)towards your care. The Department of Human Services (Centrelink) will assess your income and notify you and your service provider of how much you need to pay. Your income is reviewed by Centrelink quarterly. Providers cannot waive or discount this fee.
To get an estimate please use the government’s ITCF calculator go to www.myagedcare.gov.au/fee-estimator.
To best use the calculator you will need to have the all the details of your income and assets.
To do the actual calculation follow these instructions:
- Sign in to myGov.
- Select Make a claim or view claim status, then Make a claim.
- Under Older Australians, select Get started.
- Select Apply for Aged Care calculation of your cost of care then follow the prompts to complete your application.
I’ve heard there is a new Aged Care Act coming on 1st July 2025. Will services change for me/cost more for me?
The short answer is no.
If you currently have a Home Care Package (HCP) or are on the waiting list to receive a HCP there will be no change. The government has decreed a “no worse off” policy so the 12th September 2024, when the new act was introduced into the Parliament, is the line in the sand. No older Australian will have to pay any more for Aged Care services than they were paying on that date, in terms of their Income Tested Care Fee (ITCF).
Who are some of the Trusted Providers Better Care Options works with?
We work closely with a number of Aged and Disability Care providers including:
