The Department of Health is hosting a live webinar for home care providers next week addressing the initial implementation of reforms underway since 27 February.
The webinar will address any concerns the sector has around the new My Aged Care system and technical fixes that have been applied or scheduled, the department said.
On Tuesday, the department announced only 1,200 packages had been released in the first three weeks of the reforms, with a further 10,000 packages to be assigned over the next week.
This will take the total number of packages scheduled for release in March to around 11,300 packages.
From April, the department said it will be releasing packages on a weekly basis.
“The number of packages being released takes into account home care places that were unoccupied on 27 February 2017, packages that have been exited or not taken up in previous weeks, and new packages. The number of packages that are released will ensure that the overall home care market continues to grow,” the department said in an update to the sector on Tuesday.
The most recent data available shows at June 2016, 14,887 or 19 per cent of packages were unoccupied.
Consumers assigned a package have 56 days (with the option of an extension) to take up a package with their chosen provider before it is withdrawn. Consumers can either contact a provider directly with their unique referral code or ask My Aged Care to send an electronic referral through the provider portal.
As part of the webinar, home care providers will have an opportunity to ask departmental representatives questions about the national prioritisation system and allocation of packages.
The webinar takes place on Tuesday, 28 March at 11am AEDT. Live stream the webinar here.
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