At Optimum Health Solutions, implementing the Allied Health Assistant (AHA) Program marks a significant step toward enhancing the support provided to qualified Occupational Therapists (OTs) working with paediatric clients. AHAs play a pivotal role in aiding OTs by developing resources, implementing therapy plans, monitoring progress, maintaining session records, and facilitating necessary appointments.
Structured Program Approach
The AHA program operates on a structured framework, ensuring regular collaboration between qualified therapists and AHAs. Joint review sessions occur every 4 or 8 contacts, aligned with the frequency of client sessions. Flexibility is built in, allowing for extended review periods of 6-8 weeks based on individual client progress. Collaboration between the OT and AHA results in tailored therapeutic intervention programs focusing on fine and gross motor skills, emotional regulation, social interactions, and life skills.
Advantages of AHA Integration
An inherent benefit of integrating AHAs lies in the cost-effectiveness of programming. With lower hourly rates for both 1:1 and group sessions, this approach allows resources to be utilised more efficiently, enabling more frequent sessions or longer program durations.
Billing Structure
The billing structure reflects the involvement of both AHAs and qualified therapists. Joint sessions incur charges for both staff members, while sessions conducted solely by AHAs follow a specified rate. The tiered system distinguishes between Level 1 and Level 2 AHAs, each with its designated hourly rate. Additionally, the OT rate is $193.99/hr per the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2023-24.
Multi-Worker/Therapist Support Billing
Providers are entitled to bill for support involving multiple workers or therapists simultaneously. This encompasses scenarios such as shadow shifts, supervision, specific training for therapy assistants, and case conferences among therapists.
Non-Face-to-Face Service Billing
Report writing and non-face-to-face services are billed at the OT hourly rate. The qualified OT ensures the accuracy of information, signs, and submits the report, potentially co-signed by the AHA. These reports demonstrate intervention effectiveness, recommend ongoing interventions, and outline costs for NDIS submission.
Optimum Health Solutions collaborates closely with family members and support workers to develop achievable home programs. This commitment reflects Optimum’s dedication to delivering high-quality, cost-effective allied health services for paediatric clients.
