SWEP has administered the Lymphoedema Compression Garment Program (LCGP) since 2017 on behalf of the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). Formal ' Operational Policies " were implemented, primarily based on previous program processes to ensure minimal transitional impact on consumers.
SWEP are pleased to advise that the DHHS have now announced additional recurrent funding for this program for a term of four years, with a primary aim to increase access to compression garments for eligible consumers. At the same time the Operational Policies for the program have been reviewed.
The following changes in funding, garments provided and eligibility will take effect from 25th January 2021
1. Additional Funding
The DHHS are providing additional funding from 2020 - 2021 financial year to allow for expansion of the program
2. Eligibility Criteria
The DHHS have now removed all income/means testing which will align this program with other Victorian Aids & Equipment Programs (VA&EP).
Consumers will need to meet the eligibility criteria as follows:
- Permanent resident of Victoria or hold a Permanent Protection Visa
- No other funding options
- Not a resident in a Commonwealth Government funded facility
- Not an inpatient of a public hospital within past 30 days for condition related to lymphoedema
- Not a current inpatient of a private hospital
- Compression garments required for long term management of lymphoedema that limits participation in core activities of daily living and or functional limb use
- Intended compliance with recommended use confirmed
- Clinically assessed primary or secondary lymphoedema or sub-clinical lymphoedema
3. Additional and change in number of Items Funded
The garment range will still cover limbs only and consumers can now apply for funding towards the cost of wraps and a once off subsidy for a donner.
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Quantity
per 12 months (Adults)
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- 4 sets of compression garments per affected
limb or
- 3 sets of compression garments and 1 kit of
Adjustable Wrap Systems (AWS) per affected limb or
- 2 kits of Adjustable Wrap Systems (AWS) per
affected limb
- 1 Donner (once off)
|
|
Quantity
per 12 months (Children < 18 years of age)
|
- 6 sets of compression garments per affected
limb or
- 5 sets of compression garments and 1 kit of
Adjustable Wrap Systems (AWS) per affected limb or
- 2 kits of Adjustable Wrap Systems (AWS) per
affected limb
- 1 Donner (once off)
|
4. Subsidy Allocation
Consumers will now receive a subsidy towards garments as outlined below - the income testing has been removed
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Funding
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- Ready to Wear (RTW): Per each set of garments
per affected limb $150
- Made to Measure (M2M): Per each set of
garments per affected limb where RTW not compatible with limb size/shape or
compression class not available in RTW $300
- Adjustable Wrap Systems (AWS) kit: $150
- Donner (once off): $60
|
5. Quality Standards
All garments/wraps funded under this program must meet the following quality standards with supplier quotes required to confirm the following;
- TGA registered compression garments that guarantee level of compression stated to evidence medical efficacy for treatment of lymphoedema
- Supplier confirmation of garment compliance with any relevant International Standard and compression garment classification level (I - IV)
- Standard 101 certification (Oeko-Tex) (where relevant)
If you would like to provide any feedback or have any enquiries please email
swep@bhs.org.au
Regards
Donna Markham
Chief Allied Health Officer
