XxxxCHSP Client Fees Contribution Policy

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is an Australian Government subsidised program to help older people stay independent and in their homes and communities for longer.

As a CHSP funded organisation, Xxxxxhas a responsibility to effectively manage the administration of this program, including safeguarding its financial sustainability and ensuring equity in the establishment, implementation and reporting of fees and charges associated with the program.

Background

The purpose of this policy is to provide a transparent, consistent and sustainable fees model that meets the contractual obligations of ourfunding agreements, while ensuring fairness and consistency in the way in which fees are established, managed and reported.The Government has advised that client contributions should constitute a minimum of 15% of our grant revenue, however inability to pay will not be used as a basis for refusing a service to individuals who are assessed as requiring thatservice.

Procedure

Xxxx’s procedure for determining and requesting a fee contribution is consistent, cost sensitiveand fair. The scale of fees directly relate to the cost of providing the service.

Client Contribution Principles

  • Consistency: All clients who can afford to contribute to the cost of their care will be required to do so. Client contributions will not exceed the actual cost of service provision.
  • Transparency: The Client Fees & Contribution Policy will be publicly available, given to, and explained to all new and existing clients.
  • Hardship: The Policy will include arrangements for those who are unable to pay the required contribution.
  • Reporting: XXX will report the dollar amount collected from client contributions.
  • Fairness:The Policy will take into account clients in receipt of compensation payments and fully funded retirees.
  • Sustainability:Revenue from client contributions will be used to support ongoing service delivery and expand the services we are currently funded to deliver.
  • Review:Fee arrangements are reviewed annually to ensure costalignment, consistency and equity.
  • Complaints:Clients and/or their representative are encouraged to raise any concerns with us directly. If together we are unable reach resolution, clients will be informed of alternate complaint mechanisms.

Payment of Fees

  • All clients are informed and given a copy of our CHSP Client Fees and Contribution Policy indiscussions about theirService Plan and prior to service delivery.
  • Clients will be given at least xxxxxx days’ notice of any changes to the Fees Schedule.
  • Payment of fees is by xxxxxxxxon a xxxxxxxbasis after receipt of services.
  • Clients have the responsibility to pay feespromptly as specified in the Service Agreement.
  • No client will be refused services because of an inability to pay fees. In this situation a reduced fee will be negotiated and documented in the Client Service Agreement/Plan.
  • If a client has received (or is receiving) compensationpayment that is intended to cover some or all of the costs of home based care and services, the full cost of the service/s will be requested.
  • If a client is fully partly or fully self-funded,the full cost of the service/s will be requested.
  • When client transport is provided, any tolls and parking fees are the responsibilityof the client.
  • Clients are required to provide xxxxhours’ notice for service cancellation, otherwise the full fee will be charged.

Non-Payment of Fees

If a client is identified as being in arrears of at least xxxxx days of the due date without prior arrangement, we will contact them and/or an advocate to explore the reasons for non-payment.

Depending on the circumstances,a number of fee payment options may be considered.

All reasonable attempts to negotiate will be made to arrive at a mutually agreed arrangement.

If ability to pay is not an issue, and payment is still not made within a total of xxxx days of the original due date, services can be ceased at our discretion.

The client will be informed in writing of the our decision and will have their right of appeal explained to them.

Rosanna Commisso

Home Support & Partnership Coordinator

Northside

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