Fees and how to apply

How to apply, step by step

1. Ask your GP for a Needs Assessment referral. The Needs Assessment by NASC (interRAI) confirms the care you need.

2. The assessment recommends the level of care. At Knox, this is rest home or hospital care.

3. Talk through your options with the Needs Assessor and your family or support person.

4. Visit Knox with family or a support person. Our Resident Experience Manager can show you around and answer your questions, with no obligation.

5. Choose your preferred care home, including any Premium Room features.

6. If you choose Knox, our Resident Experience Manager gives you the Admission Agreement to read and answers your questions.

7. Fill in and sign the Admission Agreement.

8. Apply for a Residential Care Subsidy or Loan if it suits you, or pay privately. Fees are charged one month in advance at the start, then fortnightly.

 

Our Resident Experience Manager will help make the process as easy as possible. Email Admissions at admissions@knox.co.nz or call 09 523 3119.

 

Paying for care

Getting started: the Needs Assessment

Moving into care begins with a Needs Assessment. It tells you what level of care is recommended and whether you may qualify for the Residential Care Subsidy. An independent assessor carries it out, usually arranged by your GP.

 

Government-funded care: the Residential Care Subsidy

The Needs Assessor works out how much you can pay towards the cost of care. If you are eligible, the publicly funded Residential Care Subsidy makes up the shortfall.

To be eligible for government funding, entry to permanent residential care must be through Health New Zealand. You can enter care without them, but you will then pay the full cost of your care.

Fees for all levels of care are capped at the maximum contribution, for both subsidised and private paying residents. This does not include any Premium Room Fees you agree to pay. The maximum contribution covers the Contracted Care Services set out in the contract between Knox Home and Health New Zealand.

Care homes are not allowed to advise you on eligibility or subsidies. Please ask your Needs Assessor or Work and Income.

 

Private paying residents

If you do not meet the asset threshold for the Residential Care Subsidy, you pay your own fees. These are limited to the maximum contribution for contracted care services, at all levels of care.

If you do not qualify because you own a property and other assets, you may be able to apply for a Residential Care Loan to help with the cost. Knox Home is not able to extend credit.

 

Premium Room Fees

A standard publicly funded room is about 10m2 with shared bathroom facilities. Features such as an ensuite, a larger room, or access to decks and gardens carry Premium Room Fees, because the care home must fund all capital improvements. Premium Room Fees apply in Knox Home rooms staffed and resourced for hospital level care.

There is no government funding for Premium Room Fees or extra services. You may still pay them even if you receive the Residential Care Subsidy. Our Resident Experience Manager can confirm any extra fees.

 

Help with funding: Seniorline

For independent information on the Residential Care Subsidy, including who is eligible and how to apply, visit the Seniorline website.