CAPS - How to apply
- How do people apply for the CAPS?
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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 must be returned to Medicare at:
Continence Aids Payment Scheme
Medicare
GPO Box 9822
Sydney NSW 2001Medicare 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.
PLEASE NOTE: Medicare will only accept CAPS application forms with the original signature. Medicare will not accept photocopies, faxed or emailed copies of CAPS application forms.
- Where can a person get a CAPS application form?
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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
- Who can fill out the CAPS application form?
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An authorised representative can complete and sign the CAPS application form and change details about the applicant in relation to the CAPS on behalf of the applicant.
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Further information about authorised representatives is at Page 1 and in Section 2 - Representative Details of the CAPS Application Form.
- Who can fill out the health report?
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This section MUST only be completed by a Health Professional, who is in a position to make an accurate continence assessment of the applicant.
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A Health Professionals assessment must be based on evidence that the applicant has been diagnosed by a doctor with an eligibile neurological condition or eligible 'other' condition.
Examples of health professionals include:
- a continence nurse;
- general practitioner;
- medical specialist;
- community nurse;
- physiotherapist; or
- occupational therapist.
Further information about the role of the Health Professional can be found within the CAPS Application Form and Guidelines.
- How do people submit the CAPS application form?
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The applicant or their authorised representative must send the completed CAPS Application Form (including certified copies of the representatives, documentation, if required) to:
Continence Aids Payment Scheme
Medicare
GPO Box 9822
Sydney NSW 2001CAPS application forms can also be submitted at any Medicare office.
Medicare will contact you if they require further information. If the application is complete, Medicare will provide a written statement of the payment amount and date the CAPS payment was deposited into your nominated bank account.
PLEASE NOTE: Medicare will only accept CAPS application forms with the original signature. Medicare will not accept photocopies, faxed or emailed copies of CAPS application forms.
- How long will applications take to be processed?
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This will depend on the completeness of the application form. If Medicare receives all information necessary to process the application form, the CAPS payment should be made to the nominated bank account within 30 days.
- How will applicants know if their application has been approved?
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Once the application form has been processed by Medicare as eligible, a payment will be made into the client's nominated bank account. Once the payment has been made, clients will receive a statement from Medicare confirming the transaction.
If the application form is incomplete, Medicare will contact the applicant requesting additional information
