First check the eligibility criteria to ensure that you are eligible. If it is clear that you do not meet the eligibility criteria you should not proceed with completing the Application Form. If you have questions about your eligibility, contact Intouch for advice on 1300 366 455* before completing the Application Form.

If you meet the eligibility criteria you can apply for CAAS by completing the Application Form. Please make sure to follow the instructions outlined on the form, or below.

1. Section 1 - Applicant's Particulars (GREEN)
   This section is to be completed by you or a person who can make decisions on your behalf. Please ensure that whoever fills out the Applicant's Particulars signs in the appropriate box at the end of the section.
2. Section 2 - Health Report (BLUE)
   The CAAS Health Report verifies your eligibility for CAAS based on the eligibility criteria. This must be completed by an appropriate health professional, such as a continence nurse, general practitioner, medical specialist, community nurse, physiotherapist or occupational therapist. Please ensure that the health professional that completes the Health Report has signed in the appropriate box at the end of the section.
3. If your incontinence is caused by a condition other than an eligible neurological condition, you will need to provide a copy of both sides of your Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card. Parents or guardians of children aged five to 15 years need to provide a copy of both sides of their own Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card, showing names of the people covered by the card, including the applicant. If you are unable to provide a copy of your Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card you may instead include a statement or letter from Centrelink verifying entitlement to a Centrelink Pension Concession Card.
4. Send the completed and signed Application Form, along with the copies of any documents supporting your eligibility, to:
   CAAS Administrator
   Intouch
   PO Box 2082
   Milton QLD 4064
   
   Or fax 1300 304 274
5. Intouch will process your application within 48 hours and contact you by letter regarding the outcome. If your application is successful, you will receive a product catalogue to help you place orders to the value of your subsidy.

Notes for past recipients of CAAS

Prior to 1 July 2007, eligibility for CAAS stopped at 65 years of age for most people. Past CAAS clients whose assistance stopped because they were 65 years or older are now eligible for CAAS due to the current expanded age eligibility. In these cases, CAAS applicants do not need to have Section 2 of the Application Form (Health Report) completed, however eligibility will be subject to confirmation of previous assistance under CAAS.

General information

• If your circumstances change and you no longer meet the eligibility criteria, you should inform Intouch as soon as possible.
• You may be asked to confirm your eligibility for assistance from time to time.
• CAAS clients do not need to reapply each financial year; however it is particularly advisable for children five to 15 years to have their continence needs re-assessed at least every two years by their health professional.
• Child custody arrangements can affect the level of CAAS subsidy payable.

What about my privacy?

Information provided in your application is protected by the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1988. Intouch is required to ensure that your personal records are kept in a secure place and are not misused. You should note, however, that in signing the CAAS Application Form you agree to have your personal details provided to another CAAS agency, any agency authorised to supply or dispatch goods under CAAS or to the Commonwealth. Intouch requires this information in order to provide you with continence products under CAAS. You are able to access your personal information on request. You can view our full privacy policy here.

Additional guidelines for health professionals

Applicants for CAAS assistance are required to obtain an assessment from an appropriate health professional such as a continence nurse, general practitioner, medical specialist, community nurse, physiotherapist or occupational therapist, to support their application. The outcome of this assessment should be recorded on the CAAS Health Report - Section 2 of the CAAS Application Form.

The health professional should only complete the CAAS Health Report if he or she is in a position to make an accurate assessment of the applicant in relation to their incontinence, and the cause of this incontinence. For a list of eligible conditions refer to the CAAS guidelines or visit the CAAS page on the Department of Health and Ageing's Bladder & Bowel website.

The completed Health Report should be returned to the applicant to forward to Intouch.

Where can I get more information?

If you are eligible for CAAS you can make your application to Intouch which takes only 48 hours to process. You can find our product catalogue and all application forms available for download on our forms page. For more information or to apply, please contact us.

Intouch
PO Box 2082
MILTON QLD 4064
P 1300 366 455*
E caas@intouchdirect.com.au

You can also visit our Useful Links page for more informative resources, or contact the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066*.

*Free call 1800 - calls are chargeable if the number is called from a mobile phone / 1300# are charged at the cost of a local call, mobile phones incur a higher charge.

Information was sourced from the Department of Health and Ageing in November 2008 and was correct at the time of going to print. Please check the Departments' web site www.health.gov.au - CAAS for further updates or contact Intouch on 1300 366 455.