Organization : Department of Social Services
Service Name : CAPS Continence Aids Payment Scheme
Country: Australia
Website : http://www.bladderbowel.gov.au/caps/
Continence Aids Payment Scheme
The CAPS is an Australian Government Scheme that provides a payment to assist eligible people who have permanent and severe incontinence to meet some of the costs of their incontinence products. The payment is made by Medicare directly into a clients nominated bank account.
Related : Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme Queensland : www.statusin.org/26399.html
Eligibility:
A person is eligible for CAPS if they are five years of age or older and meets one of the following requirements:
A – has permanent and severe loss of bladder and/or bowel function (incontinence) due directly to an eligible neurological condition; OR
B – has permanent and severe loss of bladder and/or bowel function (incontinence) caused by an other eligible condition, and the person has a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or entitlement, whether as a primary cardholder or a dependent of a cardholder; OR
C – has permanent and severe loss of bladder and/or bowel function (incontinence) caused by an other eligible condition and the person has a Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card or entitlement, whether as a primary cardholder or a dependent of a cardholder.
How to apply:
Applicants and their health professional should read the CAPS Application Guidelines prior to completing an Application Form. All applications must include a health report which must be completed by a health professional.
To avoid delays in the processing of a person application, health professionals should refer to the list of eligible neurological conditions and eligibile ‘other’ conditions when completing the health report
The CAPS application form and supporting documents must be submitted to Medicare by:
Fax: 02 9895 3525
Email: caps.processing AT humanservices.gov.au
Post: Continence Aids Payment Scheme
Department of Human Services
GPO Box 9822
Sydney NSW 2001
Medicare will check the application and, if the information is complete and the applicant is eligible, will make the payment to the nominated bank account. If the application is incomplete or the applicant is ineligible, Medicare will contact the applicant.
CAPS Application Form and Guidelines are available from the Department or by calling Medicare on 132 011 (select general enquiries option) or the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066
Information for Health Professionals:
Health Professionals do not need to photocopy the Centrelink or DVA Pensioner Concession Card nor the applicant’s Medicare Card. The applicant is only required to provide these numbers in the appropriate sections of the CAPS application form.
Health Professionals can assist by advising their clients to send completed CAPS application forms to Medicare as per the lodgement details in the CAPS application form.
If required, please ensure you attach any certified copies of the Legal Represenation documents to your CAPS Application form before submitting it to Medicare.
CAPS – Purchasing Continence Aids
Products that can be purchased using CAPS?
** CAPS clients can purchase any continence products appropriate for their needs. It is recommended that you seek advice from your health professional about the types of products appropriate to your individual needs.
Where you can purchase continence products with your CAPS payment ?
** You can purchase continence products from any supplier or retailer of your choice.
** Visit the Continence Foundation of Australia website for more information about continence product suppliers or call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066.
CAPS may affect your entitlement to continence products from state and territory schemes ?
** Australian state and territory governments offer a range of continence aids funding schemes. These schemes have their own eligibility criteria and funding allocations which are separate to the Australian Government’s CAPS.
What to do if you receive continence products from another source?
** You, or your legal or authorised nominee, need to report to Medicare if your circumstances change and you are receiving continence products from another source, as your payment may be affected. If you don’t report the changes, you may be overpaid and have to pay the money back.