Consumer choice, equity and outcomes focus should underpin new funding model: providers
Australia’s not-for-profit aged care peak bodies have outlined nine principles that should underpin the new financial model being developed as an alternative to the existing Aged Care Funding Instrument.
As Australian Ageing Agenda reported last month, the Department of Health has commissioned the University of Wollongong to identify alternatives to ACFI (read that story here).
The university’s work will include a review of international models, as well as methods used in related sectors such as the health and hospital system.
The seven NFP peak bodies this week said that the recent funding changes and court challenges have “highlighted the urgent need for a more sustainable, efficient and effective model to fund aged care services.”
The new funding model should be underpinned by principles that enable equitable access to high quality care, support consumer choice and control, maximise health and wellbeing and support reablement and preventative approaches, the groups said.
“Funding should support all consumers based on their assessed needs, and ensure that all consumer groups, including CALD, LGBTI, indigenous Australians, older people living with disability, people suffering mental ill health or those who may be socially or geographically isolated, have access to appropriate support, care and services as they require them.
“The model should also be flexible and adaptable across the continuum of care (home care and support through to residential care). It should be efficient, transparent and financially sustainable. It should encourage, not stifle, innovation, investment and growth,” the peaks said.
NFP aged care providers deliver about 60 per cent of residential aged care services and 85 per cent of all community aged care services in Australia.