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CAPS FAQ
Below are 10 frequently asked questions regarding the Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS).
1. What is the Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS)?
- The CAPS is a 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 continence products.
- The payment will be made by Medicare Australia directly to the client's nominated bank account.
- The CAPS will provide greater choice and flexibility for clients to allow them to purchase the most appropriate continence products from the supplier of their choice.
CAPS FAQ audio files are also available.
2. How much is the CAPS payment?
- The CAPS payment will be up to $497.79 for the 2010-11 financial year.
- The payment amount will be indexed annually.
- The payment will be made into a clients nominated bank account.
Further information about CAPS payments is available.
3. Who is eligible for CAPS?
An applicant is eligible for CAPS if the applicant is five years of age or older and meets either one of the following requirements:
- A - The applicant has permanent and severe loss of bladder and/or bowel function (incontinence) due directly to an eligible neurological condition;
OR
- B - The applicant has permanent and severe loss of bladder and/or bowel function (incontinence) caused by an other eligible condition, provided the applicant has a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card entitlement.
Further information about CAPS eligibility is available.
4. How do people apply for the CAPS?
- Applicants must complete a CAPS application form, which includes a health report.
- Applicants and their health professional should read the new CAPS application guidelines prior to completing the application form and health report. This is available via www.bladderbowel.gov.au.
- A health professional must complete the health report component.
- The CAPS Application Form must be returned to Medicare Australia.
- Medicare Australia 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 Australia will contact the applicant.
PLEASE NOTE: Medicare Australia will only accept original copies of the CAPS application form. Medicare Australia will not accept faxed or emailed copies of CAPS application forms.
Further information about how to apply is available.
5. Where can applicants get a CAPS application form?
- CAPS Application Form and Guidelines are available from this website or by calling Medicare Australia on 132 011 (Select option 1) or the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066.
6. How often will the payment be made?
- Applicants can choose an annual payment in July, or biannual payments in July and January each financial year.
Further information about CAPS payments is available.
7. Will clients need to produce receipts for their payment?
- Clients will not be required to produce receipts. The CAPS is not a reimbursement scheme.
Further information about purchasing information is available.
8. Can a client nominate to have a payment made directly to an organisation of their choice?
- Yes, a client can nominate to have the payment made directly to a nominated organisation, who will assist in the purchase of continence related products. See the CAPS application form for details.
Further information about CAPS payments is available.
9. How long will applications take to be processed?
- This will depend on the completeness of the application form.
- If Medicare Australia receives all information necessary to process the application form, the CAPS payment will be made to the nominated bank account.
Further information about how to apply is available.
10. How will applicants know if their application form has been approved?
- When an applicant has been assessed as eligible a payment will be made into the applicant's nominated bank account.
- Once the payment has been made clients will receive a statement from Medicare Australia confirming the transaction.
- If the application form is incomplete, then Medicare Australia will contact the applicant requesting additional information.
Further information about how to apply is available.
For further information about the CAPS click on the following hyperlinks:
Page last updated 27 Jul 2010