Allied Health
AN-ACC vs ACFI: a quick comparison
By Matthew Politarhis: National Clinical Training Manager & AN-ACC Assessor ‚ Allied Health
What is the AN-ACC?
The AN-ACC assessment tool was developed by the University of Wollongong as part of the Resource Utilisation and Classification Study (RUCS), as a possible replacement for the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI). It has been designed to capture the core attributes that are key cost drivers in residential aged care.
| ACFI | AN-ACC Proposal | |
| Who completes the assessment for funding? | Internal Assessors (+/- consultants) |
Independent External Assessment Team |
Is there a link between funding and resident care plans? |
Care plans form basis of funding |
Designed as a funding tool only. Care plans completed separately. |
How are the assessments completed? |
Formal clinical assessments +/- implementation of charting. |
As conducted under the trial: As Per Report 2 The assessment tool is designed to be implemented using a conversational approach rather than a formal clinical review. It utilises a range of strategies to gather information about the capabilities of the person being assessed, including observation, conversation with co-residents and key informants ‚ family, carers, friends, staff; external health providers ‚ as well as review of relevant documentation. |
What is the process for resubmission? |
Mandatory Resubmissions Initial ACFI on admission; Six months after admission from hospital; On return from extended hospital leave; Six months after return from extended hospital leave; Six months after significant change in dependency. Voluntary Resubmissions Greater than twelve months from last submission; Significant change in dependency |
Significant Hospitalisation: Hospitalised for 5 days or more or; In the event of a patient who has had general anaesthetic, two days or more. Significant change in mobility: Mobility capacity has changed, movement between the three mobility branches. A Standard Period of Time: A home may request a reassessment after a certain period of time for any resident who is becoming progressively more frail and/or whose health status is deteriorating. 12 months for Classes 2 ‚ 8. 6 months for Classes 9 ‚ 12. Note: The Department may introduce reassessment charges for any home that routinely triggers unnecessary reassessments. |
What if a resident improves from their previous funding rate? |
ACFI Validators validate claims based on the assessed need at time of appraisal, if a resident has improved from time of appraisal then downgrades should not apply. If there is a significant change and resident has been validated the department may request resident to be resubmitted. |
There is no requirement for reassessment in the new model. If the capacity of the resident improves after entry into residential care, the payment rate does not change and there is no need for a resident to be reassessed or assigned to a lower paying class. This is an explicit incentive for high quality services with a focus on restorative care and re-ablement. |
