CAAS Application Forms NOW AVAILABLE!

Download the CAAS Application Form

Download the CAAS Application Guidelines

Whether you are a current CAAS client, a health professional or require assistance assessing your own eligibility, Intouch offers products and information to suit and support your needs.

Call Intouch today on: 1300 366 455* or email us at caas@intouchdirect.com.au

What is CAAS?

The Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS) is an Australian Government program that assists eligible people who have permanent and severe incontinence to meet some of the costs of continence products. CAAS is administered on behalf of the Australian Government by Intouch, the commercial arm of the Spinal Injuries Association Incorporated. CAAS clients receive a subsidy of up to $479.40 per year on continence products ordered through Intouch.

What is permanent and severe incontinence?

For the purpose of CAAS, permanent and severe incontinence is defined as the frequent and uncontrollable, moderate to large loss of urine or faeces which impacts on a person's quality of life and that is unlikely to improve with medical, surgical or clinical treatment regimes. This condition is likely to last at least two years, or for the remainder of a person's life.

Am I eligible for CAAS?

For the purpose of CAAS, you are eligible for CAAS if you are five years of age or older and meet either requirements A or B below and meet the criteria on the CAAS Application Form:

Applicants will need to complete a CAAS Application Form which includes a Health Report from a health professional.

What are the eligible conditions?

For a list of eligible conditions visit the CAAS page on the Department of Health and Ageing's Bladder & Bowel website by clicking here.

Who is eligible for a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card?

A Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card is a card issued by Centrelink to people in receipt of certain income support payments such as the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Mature Age Allowance or Carer Payment. For questions regarding eligibility for a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card please contact Centrelink on 132717 (Disability, Sickness and Carers line) or 132300 (Retirement line) or visit www.centrelink.gov.au.

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Who is not eligible for CAAS?

You are NOT eligible for CAAS if:

1. Your incontinence is one of the following types:

• transient incontinence (not permanent);
• incontinence that can be treated with an existing conservative treatment regime (for example pelvic floor exercises or bladder re-training), medication or surgery;
• confined to night time bed wetting (enuresis);

OR

2. You are a high care resident in an Australian Government funded aged care home or receiving an Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) or EACH Dementia (EACHD) package (details below);

OR

3. You are eligible for assistance with continence products under the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) which is available through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs;

OR

4. Your incontinence results from a condition other than an eligible neurological condition AND you DO NOT hold a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card (other concession cards such as a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, a Low Income Health Care Card or a State Seniors Card are not acceptable for CAAS).

OR

5. You are not an Australian citizen or permanent Australian resident.

Notes for recipients of Australian Government funded aged care

If you are living in an Australian Government funded aged care home, and are receiving high care, you will not be eligible for CAAS as the home is required to provide appropriate continence products.

If you are receiving an Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) or EACH Dementia (EACHD) package while living in your own home, you will not be eligible for CAAS, as the EACH/EACHD service provider is required to provide appropriate continence products, if negotiated as part of your care plan.

If you are receiving low care in an aged care home or receiving a Community Aged Care Package (CACP) in your own home, you can apply for CAAS provided you meet the CAAS eligibility criteria. You are required to advise Intouch if you move from low care to high care services.

Notes on state and territory government continence schemes

If you do not meet the CAAS eligibility criteria you may still be eligible for assistance with continence products under another program. The National Continence Helpline (1800 330 066*) or your state or territory department of health can provide information and advice on possible alternatives.

If you are eligible for the CAAS, and are currently receiving assistance with continence products through a state or territory government funded continence scheme, you should contact your state or territory scheme manager to find out if that assistance will be affected by your eligibility for CAAS.

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How do I apply for CAAS?

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, which is available for download here. 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 by fax: 1300 304 274 .

5. Intouch will process your application and contact you by letter regarding the outcome. If your application is successful, you will receive a product handbook 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.

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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 practioner, 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 the most common eligible neurological conditions please refer to the 'Additional Guidelines for Health Professionals' in the CAAS Application Guidelines.

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

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Where can I get more information?

Intouch - A Division of PQ Lifestyles Ltd
PO Box 2082
MILTON QLD 4064
Telephone: CAAS Helpline 1300 366 455*

Email: caas@intouchdirect.com.au

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

*Freecall 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.

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