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AN-ACC Funding

The new aged care funding reforms stipulate designated funding applicable to and determined by the classification of residential care required by the recipient.

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The AN-ACC (Australian National Aged Care Classification) funding model represents opportunities and challenges for the industry. Our expert funding specialists and industry professionals are well prepared to be the providers’ companion in funding performance management, AN-ACC assessment, and helping maximise your resident's care.

 

Our field-tested knowledge, processes and tools diagnose funding misalignments and risks in management processes, and provide outcome-focus solutions. Our primary goal is to optimise the provider’s funding position to align with strategic aspects of their care business.

AN-ACC Funding Model FAQs

What is an AN-ACC Funding Model?

AN-ACC translates to the Australian National Aged Care Classification model. The funding model was created by the Australian government to provide equitable funding to approved service providers to deliver the best care to residents of residential aged care facilities.

 

It’s important to know that although the care provider receives the funding based on their individual residents’ care needs, an independent assessor must assess and indicate the level of care needs per resident—thereby influencing the amount of total funding received.

 

Lastly, while the independent AN-ACC assessor is responsible for and contributes to the application process, it is ultimately the responsibility of the care provider to provide the end care.

 

We appreciate that the AN-ACC funding model has a major impact on the viability of service provider operations and is a significant project to be taken on independently in-house. The Health Generation team of aged care consultants has worked alongside countless Australian care providers to support their application, assessment, and funding processes and can guide you through best practices and the realities of successfully applying for and receiving the funding needed to best care for your residents.

What are the AN-ACC assessments?

So that the Australian government can equitably distribute funding based on care provider resident needs, a significant part of the AN-ACC application process requires that an independent assessor determine the care needs of the residents for whom the funding would be allocated.

 

Among the health qualities assessed by each applicable resident, the independent assessor will use the assessment tool to consider:

 

  • physical ability

  • cognitive ability

  • behaviour

  • mental health

 

To ensure that each independent assessor can accurately determine the level of care needs for your residents, it’s required that they are employed by Assessment Management Organisations (AMOs) and are independent of the aged care provider. Further still, each AN-ACC assessor must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience as a registered nurse, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist delivering clinical services in aged care settings and have experience in:

 

  • geriatric evaluation

  • rehabilitation

  • palliative care

  • community nursing, including people living with dementia.

 

This ensures the separation of the care provider and assessor to ensure equitable funding for all residents in need while maintaining the integrity of the evaluation and resident experience.

What is the difference between ACFI and AN-ACC?

The ACFI (Australian Aged Care Funding Instrument) was a funding model that offered care providers subsidies to help offset a large portion of the costs associated with operating a residential care facility. Due to the Australian government’s financial support of the care industry, every resident and registered care provider used to submit their funding claims to the ACFI; however, this now archived funding model transitions to the now active AN-ACC funding model from October 1, 2022.

 

The principles of the two respective funding models are very similar—the intention is to provide care providers with the financial support needed to offer best practice, equitable care based on individual resident needs. Providers who submit funding claims after October 1, 2022, will receive AN-ACC funding; funding claims and applications submitted before September 20, 2022, and earlier were offered ACFI funding.

How does AN-ACC funding work?

AN-ACC funding is the new Australian government funding model that has replaced the previous funding available to residential care providers called the ACFI (Australian Aged Care Funding Instrument). There are multiple components to successfully applying for and receiving the new AN-ACC funding; however, the outcome and intention are the same:

 

“To provide approved aged care providers with the funding and subsidies needed to best support each resident's care needs based on their service type.”

 

If you’re new to the care industry or only have experience navigating the previous ACFI funding model, we highly recommend working with care consultants who can support you during the application and assessment processes required to successfully receive your funding.

How do I calculate my AN-ACC funding?

Due to the significant impacts that AN-ACC funding can have on the viability of operating a residential care facility, we strongly recommend working with a consulting team that understands the full application process.

 

From scheduling assessments with independent, qualified assessors to finalising funding application requests, we appreciate that calculating AN-ACC funding for each respective resident can be a lengthy but important process.

 

Further still, there are three basic components that are considered when determining AN-ACC funding, including a Base Care Tariff subsidy, an AN-ACC classification subsidy, and the initial entry adjustment payment available for transitioning a permanent resident into a service. Because of these complexities—and the potential implications of inaccurately completing or submitting an incomplete finding application—we do recommend reaching out to aged care consultants who can provide support during this time.

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