If you suffer from incontinence, you may be eligible for financial assistance.

 

The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) is an Australian Government Scheme, fund by Medicare, that financially assists eligible people - with a permanent or severe incontinence condition - to meet some of their costs of continence products. CAPS can help ease the financial pressure of having to buy all your incontinence products.

 

 

 

What is CAPS?

 

When you rely on incontinence products, it can become a financial burden. The Australian Government is providing financial assistance for eligible people suffering from incontinence. The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) is an Australian Government funding scheme by Medicare that provides payments to help consumers cover some of the costs to manage their incontinence.

 

 

How does CAPS work?

 

CAPS consists of a direct payment from Medicare to the customer. The payment is made directly as a lump sum or fixed amount into the customer’s bank account. CAPS offers you the choice and flexibility for the payments: either directly to you or to a family member or carer.

 

If you want, you can also authorise a preferred supplier to receive the CAPS payments on behalf of you (the applicant) so they can organise your incontinence supplies and you get the prescribed products delivered to your home.

 

 

Applicants should fill in the CAPS application form. A health professional is required to complete the section 3 - health report of the form.

 

 

Who is eligible for CAPS Funding?

 

The general criteria to qualify for CAPS:

• An Australian citizen or a permanent Australian resident:
• Be 5 years or older;
• Experience permanent and severe loss of bladder and/or bowel function confirmed by a registered health professional (GP, continence nurse, registered nurse, Aboriginal health worker, medical specialist);
• Experience permanent and severe loss of bladder and/or bowel function caused by an eligible neurological condition;
• Experience permanent and severe loss of bladder and/or bowel function caused by another condition, provided the person has a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card, or a Pensioner Concession Card from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).

 

For the full list of eligible conditions, visit the Bladder Bowel website.

 

 

How much can you get from the CAPS funding?

 

The yearly payment rate of the CAPS for 2021 is a maximum of $635.10 per person. You can opt to receive one full payment after the 1st of July, or two half-yearly payments in July and January each year. 

This amount usually increases a little each year and is decided by the 1^st of July.

 

 

How can you apply for CAPS?

• First of all, check CAPS Funding Application Guidelines to assess if you are eligible for CAPS funding.
• Download the CAPS Application Form. We have filled out the provider section (‘Organisation authorised as payment recipient’ ) for you.
• Make sure you have a medical assessment certificate or letter (Section 3 in the form)  and fill out the remaining form.
• Submit to Medicare Services Australia (either via email, fax or post) – you’ll find the details on the form.
• Please send us a copy of your application by email:

-       Email – customercare@bettercaremarket.com.au

-       Postal Address –  Bettercaremarket Pty Ltd, P.O. Box 422, St Leonards , NSW 1590

 

A CAPS processing officer from Medicare will assess the application and will make the payment into your designated bank account number.

 

Have a look at this video, it explains how you can apply for your CAPS funding scheme.

 

 

You can choose Bettercaremarket for your CAPS funding

 

To make it easier for you, you can choose Bettercaremarket as your authorised CAPS nominee. This is a very easy way for you to ensure you never run out and always have your supplies on hand !

Once your application has been approved and we have received the payment from Medicare, we will ship your incontinence products straight to your door as and when you need them.

 

Why Bettercaremarket?

At Bettercaremarket, we care about our customers and their continence needs. Our MoliCare products can be purchased under CAPS. We have a range of quality incontinence products we send directly – in discreet packaging - to your door:

• Incontinence pads
• Pull up pants
• Skin care products from MoliCare
• Adult diapers
• Children’s pull ups
• Urinals
• Bed protectors, chair pads and absorbent mats

For the full range of incontinence products, see our continence care section.

 

 

We will be adding new incontinence products regularly, so keep an eye on our website.

 

·      We are Australian owned and operated; you deal directly with us

·      We offer free samples

·      Just order online or give us a call

·      Our continence products are delivered discreetly to your door

·      Our products are manufactured to the highest standards

 

If the product you are looking for is not in our range, we will be happy to source it for you. Give us a call on 1300 172 151 or send us an email on customercare@bettercaremarket.com.au.

 

 

 

 

Would you like more information on CAPS?

 

For more information on how to apply for CAPS, visit the Services Australia website.

 

For other information on continence, we recommend you to visit the Continence Foundation of Australia website or the National Continence Helpline. You can call them on 1800 33 00 66.

 

See your GP for further information or help with incontinence.

Other continence information is available on the Incontinence Support Group Australia on Facebook, where you can share your experiences with others.