Aussies warned to check the fine print amid revelations aged care beds could cost up to $3 million

Résumé détaillé

From meal packages to daily care contributions, families face a complex web of charges which can add thousands of dollars to an already expensive bill.

Australians are being urged to scrutinise aged care contracts before signing, with additional charges for everything from cooked breakfasts to entertainment adding to an already expensive bill.

Canstar data insights director Sally Tindall has warned the complex fee structure can make it difficult for families to understand exactly what they are paying for, particularly as providers introduce additional charges for everyday services.

It comes after an investigation by the ABC revealed Bupa residents could be charged an extra $42 a day for a meal package that includes two cooked breakfasts a week, an additional hot meal option at lunch, a dessert at lunch and a beer, wine or soft drink with lunch and dinner.

The package, known as an Enhanced Dining Experience, costs residents $15,330 a year, with those who do not pay receiving only a continental breakfast.

Speaking on Sunrise on Thursday, Tindall said families needed to understand the full range of costs before signing an aged care agreement.

“It’s like learning a new language, trying to get across it, but also you’ve got to learn all the acronyms, and then it’s built up on dollar signs,” she said.

The basic daily fee, which everyone pays, currently sits at about $69 a day, while additional means-tested contributions can add significantly to the bill.

These include a hotelling contribution of about $22 a day and a non-clinical care contribution of up to $109 a day.

Residents can also face an optional higher everyday living fee, which varies significantly between facilities.

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