In this article we’ll outline what training SAHCT occupational therapists received related to what can (and can’t) be provide through a Home Care Package…
…and also outline how we explain this to clients when we are completing our occupational thearapy consultations
(plus also summarise how this is documented)
Let’s get started:
What training do SAHCT occupational therapists receive around what can (and can’t) be provided through a Home Care Package?
All of our Occupational Therapists receive training on the “Impact of Different Funding Models on Equipment and Home Modification Prescription”.
This training covers things like:
- Specified inclusions
- Specified exclusions, and
- Client ‘expectation management’
This isn’t so that they can be the gatekeepers and “approve” or “decline” specific items, but to assist in communication and expectation management with our clients regarding what is *likely* to be funded vs. what may need to be sourced privately
What do you say to care recipients around what will (or won’t) be approved through their Home Care Package?
Our occupational therapists, as standard practice, discus with clients that our recommendations are clinical recommendations only, and that provision of the recommended aids and/or equipment would only occur following consultation with the plan/package manager in the context of existing budget and funding guidelines.
That is, we reiterate that even if it’s in the report, this does not automatically equate to approval
(this messaging applies even if it’s something like a walking frame because, without a good understanding of the client’s current budget or other anticipated expenses, we don’t know whether or not even this will be approved in the first instance by the client’s coordinator)
Although we acknowledge that it’s not our role to confirm exactly what will/won’t end up getting approved, if the client is requesting items or home improvements that are specifically out of scope (e.g. raised garden beds), then we advise of this and provide some general guidance as to where/how they could be sourced.
Why do occupational therapists include recommendations in their report that may not be funded through their Home Care Package?
Occupational therapists include in their report all of the recommendations that are clinically indicated for several reasons. These include:
- It’s a requirement to “advise the care recipient on areas of concern in their home that pose safety risks and ways to mitigate the risks,” even if the solution isn’t something that can’t be purchased through their package
- Providing care recipients with a summary of recommendations enables them to make an informed decision and choose whether or not to independently take action using their own personal funds
- There are some areas of the HCP Program Operations Manual that different organisations interpret differently; excluding a recommendation could lead to a situation where a client’s clinical needs aren’t met, even though this organisation would’ve actually approved the recommendation
- Providing a summary of all of a client’s recommendations provides a more true and accurate picture of their care needs; this can assist with future planning, budgeting, and provides evidence to assist with applications for changes in funding levels.
Why don’t your occupational therapy reports separate out recommendations that will/will not be approved through Home Care Package funding?
We’ve attempted, on several occasions to come up with the ideal solution for separating out different categories of recommendations. No matter which way we do it through, we always find that:
- Listing something as a specified inclusion creates a false expectation that something will be approved even when their budget may not allow it, or
- Noting the areas of the Manual that different organisations interpret differently, excluding a recommendation could lead to a situation where a client’s clinical needs aren’t met (even though this organisation would’ve actually approved the recommendation)
Instead, our occupational therapists create a summary list of all recommendations that are clinically indicated, and then prioritise them in order of importance.