A Comprehensive Case Study
## Deciphering Billing for Support Services, Travel Time, Mileage, and Specialist Support Coordination
Understanding the intricacies of in-home care costs in Australia can be a complex task. This is especially true when you're dealing with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or aged care programs. In today's blog post, we will go through a case study that includes not just the basic services and their costs but also what is involved when Specialist Support Coordination is necessary.
### The Case Study
Let’s take a typical example: A worker, employed by a provider, travels 35 minutes (40 kilometres) to offer support to a participant in Zone 3 of the Modified Monash Model. They provide two hours of standard in-home support and then return, taking 25 minutes (40 kilometres) to reach their usual workplace.
#### Standard Support Services
The agreed hourly rate for the support services is $190. The cost for two hours would be:
- 2 hours x $190/hour = $380
#### Travel Time
Claimable travel time comes to 55 minutes in total, calculated as follows:
- (55 minutes / 60 minutes) x $190/hour = $174.17
#### Mileage Costs
Mileage is reimbursed at $0.78 per kilometre, summing up to:
- 80 km x $0.78/km = $62.40
#### Specialist Support Coordination Level 3
For participants with more complex needs, Specialist Support Coordination is an available service. It is typically conducted by highly qualified professionals such as Psychologists or Occupational Therapists. The aim here is to navigate complex barriers that might hinder the participant from implementing their plan and accessing the right supports. The costs for Specialist Support Coordination can vary depending on the needs and the professionals involved, so it would be billed separately according to the agreed rate and time spent.
### The Invoice Breakdown
The provider’s invoice to the participant would have a minimum of three separate line items:
1. $380 for two hours of standard support services.
2. $174.17 for 55 minutes of travel time.
3. $62.40 for 80 kilometres of travel distance.
If Specialist Support Coordination is involved, it would appear as a separate line item on the invoice based on the agreed rate and duration.
The total amount would provide a full understanding of in-home care service costs, including support service, travel time, mileage, and any specialist coordination needed.
Understanding how these different elements come together in a billing statement can greatly simplify the otherwise complicated world of in-home care services in Australia.
Author: c@dixon.au
Colin Dixon, a seasoned web development expert, is the visionary behind CarePlan.au. His expertise in WordPress and a deep-seated passion for technology have been instrumental in elevating user experiences, especially in guiding individuals through government-funded aged care plans. When not immersed in the digital world, Colin indulges in outdoor adventures, capturing breathtaking aerial views with his drone. His dedication to community engagement and delivering substantial value solidifies his role as an invaluable contributor to the expanding CarePlan.au community.