What does a Care Manager do?
In the Aged Care system, the role of a Care Manager is essential to ensuring that Home Care Package (HCP) recipients receive comprehensive and personalised care. It is a multifaceted role, blending empathy with professionalism and, most importantly, a keen adherence to the Aged Care guidelines and standards. At its core, the role of a Care Manager revolves around supporting HCP clients throughout their home care journey.
From the initial stages of designing a tailored care plan, to its ongoing implementation and maintenance, Care Managers are entrusted with the task of ensuring that every aspect of the client's wellbeing is addressed. This includes meticulous budgeting to optimise the allocated resources and conducting thorough risk assessments to pre-emptively mitigate any potential challenges.
One of the primary responsibilities of Care Managers is to assist clients in navigating the complexities of the Home Care Package system. This involves assisting clients in the reassessment process to potentially upgrade their HCP level, thereby providing access to additional funding to support increasing support needs due to changes in health conditions or circumstances.
It is also important that Care Managers are familiar with the guidelines within which all Aged Care providers must operate. One of the most important guidelines to be familiar with is understanding the inclusions and exclusions framework, which outline what goods and services can or cannot be paid for using HCP funding. In addition to this, Care Managers must ensure that their practices align with the Aged Care Quality Standards, Aged Care Charter of Rights, Quality of Care Principles and the User Principles.
Effective case management lies at the heart of a Care Manager's duties. This encompasses a spectrum of responsibilities including support monitoring, periodic reviews, assessments, comprehensive care planning, budget management, and seamless coordination of services. Central to the success of a Care Manager is their ability to communicate effectively and respectfully. This skill is vital in interactions with clients, their families, and other service providers.
A few key responsibilities of Care Managers include:
- Assisting the client with applying for supplements and subsidies, such as veterans supplement or oxygen supplement, as well as package reassessments as required
- Monitoring client budgets to ensure all required services fit into the allocated funding, avoiding any overspending
- Supporting clients to undergo required assessments, such as Income Assessments
- Assisting the client to complete their Support Plan, and liaising with PlanCare to update the Support Plan when client needs change
- Conducting regular in-person check-ins with the client, and updating their service and care needs accordingly
- Assisting clients to send through required documents to PlanCare
- Researching and organising new supports (e.g. allied health, support work, meal preparation assistance) on behalf of the client, and liaising closely with PlanCare to ensure that providers are verified promptly
- Assisting the client with rostering their supports as required, and adjusting the level or type of support where needs change, in collaboration with the client
- Collecting and monitoring shift notes sent through by service providers, and liaising with PlanCare for any issue that have arisen during the provision of support
- Obtaining and reviewing invoices and quotes on behalf of clients, and organising supporting documentation where required
- Monitoring, resolving and alerting PlanCare immediately to any incidents that may occur with the client
Ultimately, Care Managers are not just responsible for managing the paperwork and funds – they’re the key person responsible for ensuring that the client receives appropriate support, that their health, safety and wellbeing are maintained, and that any concerns are addressed professionally and promptly. The role of a Care Manager transcends mere oversight; it embodies a commitment to excellence in care provision, regulatory compliance, and client advocacy.
Self-Management vs Full Management
When it comes to selecting the level of support a recipient requires, there are two main options. These are to either self-manage the supports they require, or to opt for full-management, where a Home Care provider organises their support needs.
When selecting to self-manage their Home Care Package, the primary provider (PlanCare) must still provide some care management, however this is significantly reduced due to the client electing to coordinate most of their care needs themselves.
When opting to fully-manage a Home Care Package, the primary provider takes responsibility for sourcing and rostering all supports, which reduces the client’s responsibilities; however, is charged at a much higher cost than self-management.
How do PlanCare fit into all this?
PlanCare offers self-managed care management through it’s own internal Co-Care Partners. However, when a client requires a little more support to source, roster and manage their day-to-day supports, this is provided through one of PlanCare’s many independent Care Managers across Australia, who are part of our ONEteam program. Every effort is made to ensure the Care Manager is local to the client.
In this partnership, PlanCare handles the administrative side of the Home Care Package and part of the care management, and our trusted Care Managers handle the remaining care coordination – allowing you to still experience the benefits of full-management, at a fraction of the cost.
PlanCare are eager to support individuals who are keen to make a difference to older Australians, and we provide the training required in order to get your business up and running in the Aged Care sector.
Some frequently asked questions are below to help you on this journey.
What do Care Managers charge?
There is no set rate for what a Care Manager can charge, but typically most charge between 10-15% of the client’s Home Care Package on top of PlanCare’s 13%. This can fluctuate depending on the Care Managers skillset, the level of support required, and their location.
I see on PlanCare’s website that you offer Full Management for 28% - is this the combined fees of PlanCare plus a Care Manager?
Yes! PlanCare partners with Care Managers across Australia, to support client’s who want the freedom to choose their supports, but need a little extra help with doing so.
The maximum that PlanCare will allow Care Managers that partner with us to charge is 15% of the client’s Home Care Package, and so the 28% is made up of PlanCare’s fee (13%) plus the Care Managers fee (up to 15%). You may find that some of our Care Managers charge less than 15%, and so often this fee will be lower.
What qualifications do I need to be a Care Manager?
There are no specific qualifications required to be a Care Manager; however, experience with case management, NDIS support coordination, or service management is definitely helpful. Being a Care Manager requires excellent time management, attention to detail and being responsive to client needs – if you’ve got these attributes, you’ve got the skills to be a Care Manager.
I’m interested in being a Care Manager, but I have some questions – who can I contact?
If you’re eager to get the ball rolling – fantastic! Our ONEteam Business Development Partners (or BDP’s, as we call them) can support you to get started. You can contact them on 1800 024 000 and ask to be connected to a ONEteam representative, or you can email oneteam@plancare.com.au. One of our ONEteam BDP’s will then be in touch to book in a meeting to assist you with any questions you may have.