Is funding available?

There are several types of funding available from the Australian Goverment, and eligibility criteria differs for each.  Click on the links below to find out what each scheme requires.

Please note this is a guide only and not a comprehensive list of funds or their criteria.  Please visits each schemes' website for full information. 

Department of Veteran Affairs

Continence Aids Payment Scheme

ENABLE

CMAS - WA

MASS - QLD

 

Department of Veteran Affairs

Eligibility

Gold Card holders subject to assessed clinical need.
White card holders - to assess eligibility contact the Aids and Appliances team in the DVA state office in which the beneficiary resides

Assistance Amount

RAP provides products according to clinically assessed need in a cost-effective manner and health providers should prescribe/order the simplest and most effective products that will suffice (in terms of health needs and cost) in the fewest number that will suffice.

For further information refer to the order form

Access to the System

First orders - Once eligibility has been determined; after assessing the need the prescriber will complete and fax the order form to the chosen supplier.
Subsequent orders can be made, either verbally or in writing by a prescriber, A DVA beneficiary or their nominated representative.

The order allows healthcare providers and DVA beneficiaries to reorder items within a two year period unless another assessment and standing order is made.

For further information visit the DVA website 

Continence Aids Payment Scheme - CAPS

Eligibility

5 years of age and have a permanent and severe loss of bladder and/or bowel function due directly to:

  1. An eligible neurological condition: OR
  2. Incontinence caused by another eligible 'other' condition, and the applicant has a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veteran Affairs Card or entitlement; whether as a cardholder or dependent of a cardholder

Assistance Amount

The CAPS amount for 2012-13 is up to $521.00 and is indexed annually

Access to the System

 For further information visit www.bladderbowel.gov.au/caps

ENABLE

Eligibility

Permanent moderate to severe incontinence AND
Equipment needs greater than would be covered by CAPS funding for consumers eligible for CAPS OR consumer is not eligible for CAPS

Assistance Amount

Disposable pads/nappies/ pull ups
*1080 per year when incontinent of urine or faeces
*1440 per year when incontinent of urine and faeces

Washable pads/pullups/pant system
* 18 per year when incontinent of urine or faeces
* 24 per year when incontinent of urine and faeces

Disposable bed pads (non-standard item)
* 1080 per year when incontinent of urine or faeces
* 1440 per year when incontinent of urine and faeces                                                 

Access to the System

An application can be lodged by the individual or their representative for new customers applying to ENABLE NSW for services

Applications can be lodged either by applying online or filling out a form and mailing to ENABLE

For further information visit Enable

An Equipment Request Form, which describes the individual's functional or clinical needs for the equipment, is then required to be completed by an eligible prescriber.

Completed applications and requests will be assessed for eligibility and applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome and expected timeframe for funding. For further information visit www.enable.health.nsw.gov.au/padp

CMASS - WA

Eligibility

Clients must contact Silver Chain on 1300 787 055 (local call) and arrange an assessment by a clinician.

Assistance Amount

UP to $490 per annum

Access to the System

Contact CMASS on1300 787 055 

For further information visit www.continenceandyou.com.au

MASS -QLD

Eligibility

1. Must be a permanent QLD resident and the applicant must hold one of the following (in the name of the applicant):

  • Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
  • Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Pensioner Concession Card (conditions apply)
  • Centrelink Health Care Card
  • Queensland Government Seniors Card
  • Confirmation of Concession Card Entitlement Form (conditions apply)

Clinical eligibility will be determined by the Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS) Clinical Advisor based on information provided by the MASS designated prescriber as detailed in the MASS Statewide Prescriber Procedures Manual.

Assistance Amount

Based on an incremental scale but up to 2 pads/day for adults

Access to the System

A MASS designated prescriber completes an application form in accordance with the General and Continence sections of the MASS Statewide Prescriber Procedures Manual

For further information visit www.health.qld.gov.au/mass/continenceaids.asp