In a recent statement Australian Unity has confirmed that it will scale down its NDIS services over the next 12 months.
At least 3,000 NDIS recipients from regional NSW and Victoria will have to find new care providers as a result of this decision. Australian Unity confirmed that the decision was a consequence of the financial pressures facing NDIS providers.
A spokesperson confirmed that this decision was vital in ensuring that Australian Unity continues to provide high standards of service to its aged care customers and the stated that 57,000 clients on aged care packages would not be affected.
Australian Unity said the decision to scale down its NDIS services came after a review of its Home and Disability Services business. Importantly, it will enable the company to strengthen its provision of aged care services, which is by far the largest part of its Home & Disability Services business, a spokesperson said. Australian Unity says it will work closely with the NDIA to ensure its clients transition smoothly to another service provider of their choice.
The move comes just four years after the provider had acquired the NSW Government’s home care business including 52,000 aged care and disability clients and 4,000 staff for $114 million in 2015 under previous CEO Derek McMillan.
The company has since invested millions of dollars in technology and mobile devices to streamline the new business and last November, moved the chief financial officer of its independent and assisted living business Steve Drummy into a new Executive General Manager Home & Disability Services.
The NDIA will contact participants in the coming weeks to make sure they know who their local area co-ordinator or support co-ordinator is and how to contact them, so they can assist with a transition to a new provider if necessary.
A National Disability Insurance Agency spokeswoman said NDIS participants with any concerns could contact their local areas co-ordinator or the NDIA on 1800 800 110 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday.