What is the CAPS?

The Continence Aids Payment Scheme is an Australian Government payment that will assist eligible people who have permanent and severe incontinence to meet some of the costs of their continence products. 

It will be a direct payment to clients, by Medicare Australia, to a nominated bank account increasing flexibility and choice about where and when clients purchase their continence products.

Who is eligible for the CAPS?

Eligibility for the CAPS will remain the same as the CAAS. People aged five years or older who have a permanent and severe incontinence due to an eligible neurological condition or have permanent and severe incontinence caused by another condition (with a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card) will continue to be eligible.

How do I apply for CAPS?

CAAS will continue to be administered by Intouch until 30 June 2010. Clients can continue to apply for assistance under the CAAS until 30 June 2010 through Intouch.

After CAPS commences on 1 July 2010, application for assistance will be through Medicare Australia. 

What do I need to do?

As a current CAAS client you will be transferred to the new Scheme provided you meet Medicare’s request for additional information.

Will eligibility for CAPS be reviewed after a certain period of time?

• People with permanent and severe incontinence should have a continence management plan in place that is reviewed by their health professional on a periodic basis.
• Reviews of a client’s continence needs should be negotiated and agreed between the client and health professional.
• CAPS clients are required to notify Medicare Australia of any change in their circumstances that affects their eligibility, and from time to time, may be asked to confirm their eligibility.

What is the difference between the CAAS and the CAPS?

The CAAS is administered by Intouch, a sole provider. The CAPS will be administered by Medicare Australia and will provide a direct payment to clients allowing access to the continence suppliers of their choice.

When will CAPS start?

The CAPS will commence 1 July 2010.

What will happen to CAAS and its current clients?

The Department will transition existing clients to the new scheme in 2009-10 to ensure current clients are not disadvantaged.

CAAS will continue to be administered by Intouch until 30 June 2010 and clients can continue to access their subsidy for continence products until the commencement of CAPS on 1 July 2010.

How will Medicare Australia get my details?

Your details will be provided to Medicare Australia in accordance with the CAAS Application Guidelines to enable them to contact you and assist you with the transfer to the new scheme.

How much is the CAPS payment?

The CAPS payment will be in line with the current value available under the CAAS (up to $489.95 in 2009-10) and will continue to be indexed annually.

How often will the payments be made?

• Applicants can choose one full payment in July, or two half payments in July and January each year.

• Medicare Australia will continue to make the payment to a client’s bank account annually/biannually unless notified otherwise. If your clients would like to use Intouch Direct as their nominated provider, contact us on 1300 134 260 to register your interest and to ensure they have an Intouch Direct account.

• Clients are expected to use CAPS funds to purchase continence products.

• For new CAPS applicants, in the first year of participation in the scheme, the amount of money they will receive is determined on a 365 day pro-rata basis, calculated from the day the application is processed (the financial year runs from 1 July-30 June).

Who will be making the payment to my bank account?

The CAPS will be administered by Medicare Australia.

What happens if a client uses all of the payment?

• The CAPS contribution (paid once or twice per annum) is a one-off amount. No additional funds will be provided under the scheme.
• Clients can contact the National Continence Helpline 1800 330 066 for information on opportunities about additional products or funding.
• They may also be able to access their local State based continence scheme.

Will clients need to produce receipts for their payment?

• Clients will not be required to produce receipts. The CAPS is not a reimbursement scheme.

Will the CAPS payment affect a client's income?

• No. An Income Tax exemption has been approved for the CAPS.
• This will mean that CAPS payments will be excluded from any calculation of income.
• The CAPS will also be excluded from the calculation of income for low level residential care in an Australian Government aged care facility, or any Centrelink calculations.

Will clients receive a record of their payments?

• Yes, from 1 July 2010 Medicare Australia will issue statements to CAPS clients, once payment(s) have been made.

Can a client nominate to have a payment made directly into a guardian’s bank account?

• Yes, a client can nominate to have the payment made directly to a guardian’s account, although certified documentary evidence of the legal relationship will be required by Medicare Australia.
• A parent/custodial parent can nominate a bank account in their name for a CAPS client (child) who is under 14 years of age, provided there is a direct relationship to the child. The parent’s bank account can be provided for a child aged between 14 and 18 years of age if the child does not have the capacity to act on their own behalf.

Can a client nominate to have a payment made directly to a service provider or organisation of their choice?

• Yes, a client can nominate to have the payment made directly to a nominated service provider or organisation that will be responsible for purchasing their continence products. A separate authorisation form will be available from Medicare Australia or the website www.bladderbowel.gov.au
• To nominate Intouch Direct to continue servicing your clients, contact Intouch Direct on 1300 134 260 to register your interest.

Where can applicants get a CAPS application form?

• CAPS applications forms will be available from June 2010 via the bladder and bowel website www.bladderbowel.gov.au, the National Continence Helpline 1800 330 066 or any Medicare Australia office.

How long will applications take to be processed?

• This will depend on the completeness of the application form.
• If Medicare Australia receives all information necessary to process the application form, the CAPS payment should be made to the nominated bank account within two weeks.

How will applicants know if their application form has been approved?

• When an application form has been approved a payment will be made into the applicant’s nominated bank account within two weeks of processing.
• Following the payment, clients will receive a statement from Medicare Australia confirming the transaction.
• If the application form is incomplete, Medicare Australia will contact the applicant requesting additional information.

What sort of products can be purchased under the CAPS?

• CAPS clients will be able to purchase any continence products appropriate for their needs.

Where can CAPS clients purchase products?

• CAPS clients will be able to purchase products from any continence product supplier.
• CAPS clients can also purchase with Intouch Direct, call 1300 134 260 to ensure your clients have an account and nominate Intouch Direct as their service provider of choice.

What if a client is not able to order their own continence products?

• Clients can authorise someone else to order on their behalf, they may also be able to use government funded services, for example Home and Community Care Services.

Can health professionals order products for clients under the new scheme?

• A health professional can order products for a client; provided the client is agreeable and appropriate payment arrangements are in place with a continence supplier. Set your clients up today with Intouch Direct accounts to continue to receive the same service and convenience they currently enjoy, call 1300 134 260.

Will the CAPS affect a client’s entitlement to continence products from state or territory schemes?

• Policy decisions for the supply and eligibility of continence products for state and territory schemes are separate to the Australian Government CAPS.
• A client, their nominee, or health professional can contact the National Continence Helpline 1800 330 066 for information on the state and territory government schemes.

How will clients know what continence suppliers are out there?

• A list is currently being prepared by the Continence Foundation of Australia. This list will be mailed to all clients and health professionals and made available on the bladder and bowel website at www.bladderbowel.gov.au

CAAS clients receive up to four free deliveries when ordering products from Intouch. Will CAPS clients now have to pay for postage?

• When ordering from a continence product supplier, CAPS clients should ask about the postage costs and discuss postage options.
• If CAPS clients buy locally, postage may not be required depending on the supplier.

How will clients know what products to buy?

• Intouch Direct has consultants who can assist with descriptive advice about products.
• It is expected that clients with permanent and severe incontinence will have a continence management plan in place to manage their condition, including education about appropriate products for their individual circumstances.
• Clients can also speak with their GP or health professional about product requirements suitable for their condition.
• The National Continence Helpline 1800 330 066 has clinical staff who can make some suggestions provided the person has had an assessment of their condition by a health professional.

Will the CAPS provide a catalogue of products?

• No. The CAPS is a direct payment scheme only.

Can the local health service stock products on behalf of the CAPS clients?

• CAPS clients (including those in rural and remote areas) can order products from a supplier of their choice or enter into arrangements with services/providers to procure products on their behalf.
• If any of your clients need free product samples or a product catalogue, contact Intouch Direct on 1300 134 260.

 What is the role of Medicare Australia?

From 1 July 2010, Medicare Australia will:

• Respond to enquiries about the progress of CAPS applications and payments via 132 011. (select option 1)
• Confirm any additional information required for clients transitioning from the CAAS.
• Receive and process CAPS applications.
• Make payments directly into a CAPS client's nominated bank account or nominated provider's account.
• Send statements regarding the payments(s) to CAPS clients, including those who have nominated Intouch Direct as their provider. Contact Intouch Direct on 1300 134 260 to ensure your clients who want to receive the same convenience and service have nominated Intouch Direct as their provider.

What is the role of the Department of Health and Ageing?

The Department will:

• Define and manage the policy for the CAPS.
• Manage ongonig public communications about the CAPS.
• Liaise with Medicare Australia about eligibility and/or payment issues should they arise.
• Respond to policy enquiries.

Will CAAS clients need to complete a new CAPS health report?

• No. CAAS clients do not require a new health report

 Who will have access to a client’s personal information under CAPS?

• Medicare Australia and the Department of Health and Ageing will have access to a client’s information to manage the scheme.