Home Respiratory Program (HRP) - Providing equipment for long term respiratory support
Eligibility for EnableNSW
To be eligible for assistance from EnableNSW, applicants must:
- be residing in NSW or Lord Howe Island
- be enrolled with Medicare
- require the assistive technology to support a health need
- require the assistive technology to remain independent at home
- not be eligible for compensation or damages
- not be eligible to receive assistive technology through any other government-funded program.
Providing assistance
The Home Respiratory Program (HRP) provides home oxygen equipment, Continuous Positive
Airway Pressure (CPAP) and respiratory support devices, ventilators and some respiratory
consumable products. There are eligibility criteria for each respiratory product.
Steps for receiving assistance:
- Assessment – Consumers are assessed by their physician and relevant tests are carried out.
- Application – The consumer or their representative completes and submits an application form.
- Equipment Request – An Equipment Request Form (ERF) is completed by a physician with the required qualification and experience in the prescription of the specific respiratory device. The ERF describes the consumer’s clinical need for the equipment.
- Review – EnableNSW reviews the information to assess whether the device can be provided within program guidelines.
- Approval or Decline – The consumer and their prescriber are notified in writing of the outcome.
- Purchase – As funding becomes available the device is purchased and supplied to the consumer.
Waiting periods
The HRP prioritises funding of the primary oxygen equipment used at home, typically an oxygen concentrator. Waiting periods vary for other equipment such as CPAP and respiratory support devices, ventilators and some respiratory consumable products.
Consumer responsibilities
To be eligible for assistance through the HRP, consumers are required to:
- Have ceased smoking for a minimum of four weeks
- Comply with safety precautions for use of the equipment as indicated by the supplier
- Comply with the prescribed therapy including hours of use
- Purchase some respiratory products or accessories such as masks for CPAP devices
- Return the device if no longer required or if the device is not being used as prescribed.
Co-payments
There is a co-payment for accessing assistance through the HRP. The co-payment for adults on a pension or low income and for children under 16 years is $100 in each year that assistance is provided. For adults on higher incomes the co-payment is 20% of the cost of the device. There is no co-payment for the provision of short-term oxygen therapy.
For further information about co-payments please contact EnableNSW via email or telephone.
Maintenance and repairs
EnableNSW is responsible for maintenance and reasonable repairs to supplied devices. Please contact EnableNSW via email or telephone to arrange this.
Other assistance
Consumers may be eligible for the NSW Government Life Support Electricity Rebate. Consumers are advised to lodge an application form with their electricity supplier. Further information is available at the Trade & Investment, Regional Infrastructure & Services website.
For more information
Contact EnableNSW for more information.