The aims of the Aged Care Access Initiative (ACAI) – Allied Health Services Incentive Component will be achieved through the purchase, of allied health services for individual or groups of residents of aged care facilities, where these allied health services are not covered by Medicare or other government funding programs.

The ACAI applies to allied health services provided in Commonwealth-funded Residential Aged Care Facilitates (RACFs) and Multipurpose Services (MPS). Allied health services under the ACAI are not available to residents of aged care facilities where funding is provided under the Aged Care Act 1997 for approved providers of residential aged care to provide allied health services to those residents without additional cost to the resident.

Allied health services are expected to be delivered in a way that best meets the assessed care and support needs of the residents in RACFs. Models that are practical and acknowledge the local characteristics will be supported. Given the limited funding available, divisions will be critical in providing insight into what and how services are delivered to achieve cost-effective approaches that results in the maximum services provided. It is anticipated that services will be directed to areas of need. Models may also include divisions collaborating together across regions to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.

Funding

GPQ has received funding from the Department of Health and Ageing to manage and deliver the allied health component of the ACAI from 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2011 in conjunction with divisions of general practice.

The allied health services funded are the priority services identified through a needs assessment undertaken by each division of general practice.  The allied health services can be provided on individual or group bases. 

A range of key stakeholders have been consulted and support the proposed activities by allied health providers.