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Subsidies and funding

How does it all work?

While Bupa is not directly involved in the subsidies process, it’s important for our residents to have a good understanding of what is involved. Check out the following key steps and four possible outcomes.

Three steps to follow:

Step 1. Complete the Residential Care Subsidy (RCS) application form (supplied by your Needs Assessor).

  1. On question 12 – tick ‘YES’ to redirect a portion of your NZ Superannuation to Bupa (if the subsidy is granted).
    Please note: all recipients of the Residential Care Subsidy are required to contribute towards the costs of their care from their superannuation.
  2. Until a subsidy is confirmed in writing to Bupa, you’ll still need to pay the full costs of your care from your private/superannuation funds.
    We encourage you to speak with your Care Home General Manager if you have any concerns, or contact our accounts team on 0800 60 80 99 / fonza@bupa.co.nz for more information about payment options.

Step 2. Send your form to the WINZ Whangārei office as soon as possible and within 90 days of admission to your care home.  Please also keep a copy for your own records.

  1. Postal address: Specialised Processing Services — Whangārei, Private Bag 9032, Whangārei 9032
  2. Email: msd_rcs@msd.govt.nz

Step 3. WINZ will conduct a Financial Means Assessment and let you know whether you qualify for, and will be granted a subsidy.

Four possible outcomes:

  1. Full subsidy granted.
  2. Partial subsidy granted but requiring a private contribution.
  3. Your subsidy application is declined. However, the government will continue to pay any top-up amount above the Maximum Contribution for dementia and hospital level care. You will continue to pay the Maximum Contribution from your private/superannuation funds.
  4. Application declined, and you apply for the Residential Care Loan: Contact your Needs Assessor for the form, fill it in and send it to WINZ Whangārei who will complete an Asset Assessment to find out if you’re eligible. To apply, you must first complete the Residential Care Subsidy process. You will continue to pay the Maximum Contribution to Bupa until you hear back from WINZ. For more information, please visit www.workandincome.govt.nz

Note: The Premium Accommodation charge must always be paid via your private funds.

Sample example

This provides an indication of some of the possible charges outcomes from your subsidy application. This is based on a Bupa resident with a daily Maximum Contribution of $180 + a Premium Accommodation charge of $70 = a total daily charge of $250.

No subsidy or subsidy declined

Your amount to pay per day: $250 (180+70)

Your Maximum Contribution

$180 (paid by you)

Your Premium Accommodation charge

$70

Full subsidy

Your amount to pay per day: $70

Your Maximum Contribution

$180 (Paid by Residential Care Subsidy and your Superannuation)

Your Premium Accommodation charge

$70

Approved subsidy

$70

Your Superannuation redirected from WINZ straight to Bupa

$50

Partial subsidy

Your amount to pay per day: $90 (70+20)

Your Maximum Contribution

$160 (Paid by Residential Care Subsidy and your Superannuation)

Your Premium Accommodation charge

$70

Approved subsidy

$110

Your Superannuation redirected from WINZ straight to Bupa

$50

Your required private contribution as assessed by WINZ

$50

Considering your payment options:

Typically, ‘who’ pays your monthly charges is a combination of you, your private funds/superannuation; Te Whatu Ora, and any subsidies you may be eligible for.

Below is an example of what that breakdown could look like*.

Care charges per care level: rest home, dementia, hospital rest home dementia hospital
Total daily bed rate $180 $230 $280
Less – top-up paid by Te Whatu  $0 $50 $100
Maximum Contribution paid by residents
(until any subsidy is granted)		 $180 $180 $180
Plus — Premium Accommodation charge – always paid
by the resident		 $70 $70 $70
Total charges per day paid by resident $250 $250 $250
       

*Example only. Does not include the Residential Care Subsidy. Actual charges will vary between care homes.

Additional resources and information:

What’s included in your Bupa accommodation and care charges?*

At Bupa, we’re proud of the comprehensive aged care experience and services we provide.
As well as your Standard Room, this includes:

  • Seasonal menus covering breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. These can also be personalised based on your preferences, cultural requirements, and any dietary needs.
  • A regular and diverse lifestyle and wellness programme, tailored to your interests.
  • Care services including nursing and support care; dementia and hospital level care (depending on your care home), GP visits, your prescribed medication (to the extent they are subsidised by Pharmac), and specific medical care products you may need.
  • Specific communal equipment and mobility aids so you can continue to be you, at Bupa.
  • Transport to most health services, for regular visits to shops, and as part of our lifestyle and wellness programme.
  • Laundry and cleaning.

*This is in accordance with our obligations to you under our agreement with Te Whatu Ora.

What additional services can you choose from?

At every Bupa community, there are additional services* you can choose from. While Bupa organises these, they’re paid by you monthly via an account you’ll set up with our partner organisation called Capital Guardians. These include:

  • Hairdressing and beautician services
  • Dry cleaning
  • Dentists, podiatry, opticians, audiologists, radiologists
  • Physiotherapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Customised and personal care items e.g. specialised communication equipment or mobility equipment
  • Specialised assessment and rehabilitation services
  • Non-Pharmac funded medication

*Some of the above services may be part of your treatment plan and paid for by separate funding from Te Whatu Ora, Manatū Hauora (The Ministry of Health), or ACC. Please check with your Needs Assessor to find out more.