❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the adequacy of the Continence Management and Support Scheme (CMAS), including subsidy amounts, alternative assistance, program reach, appeals, and performance. The answer indicates planned adjustments to the scheme and provides some data.
AnsweredQoN 3068Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(a) as the purchase of incontinence pads can run into thousands of dollars per annum, are there any plans to increase the current $470 per annum subsidy;
(b) are there any other alternative methods to obtain assistance to purchase incontinence pads in addition to the $470 per annum subsidy when individuals who need them are suffering financial difficulties; and
(i) if so, provide details;
(c) in setting up the four-year subsidy program, how many people in Western Australia were expected to access the subsidy during:
(i) 2007;
(ii) 2008;
(iii) 2009; and
(iv) 2010;
(d) how many people in Western Australia actually received the subsidy during 2007;
(e) who serves on the CMAS Appeals Committee and how often does the committee meet;
(f) has the Appeals Committee reviewed any issues during 2007 and;
(i) if so, what were the issues and what was the outcome; and
(g) how has the success of the CMAS program been measured and what was the outcome for 2007?
(b) are there any other alternative methods to obtain assistance to purchase incontinence pads in addition to the $470 per annum subsidy when individuals who need them are suffering financial difficulties; and
(i) if so, provide details;
(c) in setting up the four-year subsidy program, how many people in Western Australia were expected to access the subsidy during:
(i) 2007;
(ii) 2008;
(iii) 2009; and
(iv) 2010;
(d) how many people in Western Australia actually received the subsidy during 2007;
(e) who serves on the CMAS Appeals Committee and how often does the committee meet;
(f) has the Appeals Committee reviewed any issues during 2007 and;
(i) if so, what were the issues and what was the outcome; and
(g) how has the success of the CMAS program been measured and what was the outcome for 2007?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 April 2008
Responded by
Minister for Disability Services
Response time
36 days
(a) The Disability Services Commission has commenced planning to adjust eligibility and subsidy levels of CMAS following the expansion in July 2007 of the Commonwealth's Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS) and to improve the assistance available for people with severe permanent incontinence who incur exceptionally high costs.
(b) Yes.
(i) If people have been deemed eligible for CMAS financial subsidy and have expended the full amount of their annual subsidy, they can purchase many of the products listed on the CMAS Imprest List at competitive prices obtained by the Western Australian Government under the relevant Common Use Agreement.
Two local organisations are able to purchase continence products for their clients at a reduced rate. Association for the Advancement of Brain Injured Children obtains a discount through bulk purchasing of popular items and brands. A $10 membership fee is required. The child does not have to have a brain injury. Contact (08) 9447 3590.
Red Cross Mobility Equipment Hire Service has a wide range of continence products for purchase at competitive rates. There is no joining fee or means test. Country residents may pay an additional delivery fee. Contact 1800 251 463.
(c)
(i)-(iv)
The contract for the
Subsidy Provision for the Continence Management and Support Scheme
includes products and delivery costs. The contract extends from 1 February 2007 to 31 December 2008.
It was expected that in the 2007/2008 financial year, 4500 people would access financial assistance under the CMAS. However the estimates were calculated before and without knowledge of the unexpected changes to CAAS eligibility.
From 1 February 2007 to 30 June 2007 - 1875.
From 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008 - 4500.
From 1 July 2008 to 31 December 2008 - 2250.
(d)
February 2007 to June 2007 - 253.
July 2007 to February 2008 - 809.
(e) The CMAS Appeals Committee is convened by the Department of Health. Please refer further questions to the Minister for Health.
(f) No
(i) Not applicable
(g) The Memorandum of Understanding between the Disability Services Commission and the Department of Health includes specific performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of CMAS. The indicators and outcomes address:
Service: Continence management plans were completed within three months of referral for 97.5% of eligible clients.
Product: Orders for continence products were placed within three months of referral for 97% of eligible clients.
Waiting time: Median waiting time for development of a continence management plan following referral is 24 days.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
(b) Yes.
(i) If people have been deemed eligible for CMAS financial subsidy and have expended the full amount of their annual subsidy, they can purchase many of the products listed on the CMAS Imprest List at competitive prices obtained by the Western Australian Government under the relevant Common Use Agreement.
Two local organisations are able to purchase continence products for their clients at a reduced rate. Association for the Advancement of Brain Injured Children obtains a discount through bulk purchasing of popular items and brands. A $10 membership fee is required. The child does not have to have a brain injury. Contact (08) 9447 3590.
Red Cross Mobility Equipment Hire Service has a wide range of continence products for purchase at competitive rates. There is no joining fee or means test. Country residents may pay an additional delivery fee. Contact 1800 251 463.
(c)
(i)-(iv)
The contract for the
Subsidy Provision for the Continence Management and Support Scheme
includes products and delivery costs. The contract extends from 1 February 2007 to 31 December 2008.
It was expected that in the 2007/2008 financial year, 4500 people would access financial assistance under the CMAS. However the estimates were calculated before and without knowledge of the unexpected changes to CAAS eligibility.
From 1 February 2007 to 30 June 2007 - 1875.
From 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008 - 4500.
From 1 July 2008 to 31 December 2008 - 2250.
(d)
February 2007 to June 2007 - 253.
July 2007 to February 2008 - 809.
(e) The CMAS Appeals Committee is convened by the Department of Health. Please refer further questions to the Minister for Health.
(f) No
(i) Not applicable
(g) The Memorandum of Understanding between the Disability Services Commission and the Department of Health includes specific performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of CMAS. The indicators and outcomes address:
Service: Continence management plans were completed within three months of referral for 97.5% of eligible clients.
Product: Orders for continence products were placed within three months of referral for 97% of eligible clients.
Waiting time: Median waiting time for development of a continence management plan following referral is 24 days.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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