It is important that any domestic support arrangements be established with the assistance of Therese and Deslee. Such arrangements need to be established on a contractual basis to protect the rights of all concerned, and to ensure that they cannot give rise to any unintended expectations about either their permanency or any future entitlements of the domestic worker.

1. For what may I use my ‘Corporate Card’?

The card can be used for what we call Board and Lodging. This includes food and drink, cleaning agents (to be clarified), utilities, restaurants.

The following expenses are not permitted to be expensed to the corporate card:

  • Personal expenses, such as motor vehicle costs (insurance, - registration, petrol, toll fees)
  • Clothing
  • Subscriptions - medical? Journals? (to be clarified)

2. Protocol for Retired Priests’ Supply arrangements

  • Priests retired from active ministry who perform the vital role of supply for parishes are encouraged to do so. They perform a vital role in relieving active priests and ministering to the faithful.

  • The Priests' Retirement Foundation has been established to provide ongoing sustenance to priests who have retired from active ministry, who are ill or who are otherwise in its charge. It ensures that all retired priests have health insurance and are provided with board and lodgings.

  • The sustenance of retired priests is also underpinned by ensuring that wherever possible retired priests receive the full pension.

  • Supply fees are income of the Church and are not a payment for service. When a retired priest performs supply, the payments are to be paid to the Retirement Foundation as Supply Supplementation Payments. No taxes are payable on these transactions.

  • The benefits that can be accessed without impacting on the pension are:
    Retreats
    Utility charges
    Home improvements
    Religious subscriptions
    Anniversary celebrations
    Pastoral support

3. Health Care Matters and service providers

Brian Castanelli looks after all the Health Insurance related work for the Priests in Melbourne, both retired and non retired. Any queries can be directed to Brian on 5460-4011 or P O Box 230 Maryborough Vic 3465.

Brian has established a network of preferred providers over the years, and it is strongly recommended that if possible priests use these providers as it saves the Priests Retirement Foundation potentially thousands of dollars each year.

HEARING AIDS:

Pensioners:

For those members on a pension, Australian Hearing is the preferred provider and Kathy Barbarigos is one of the state managers. She is a considerable help in placing our members near home and will monitor the progress and outcome. Costs with government discounts should be no more than $4,500. A claim against Medibank can be made for $800.

The contact is Kathy Barbarigos – 9474 4400. You can call Brian to set the appointment up also.

Non Pensioners:

For those members not on a pension, Audika Hearing is the preferred provider, with offices in several areas. Simon Trickett is the state manager and looks after us at various clinics, providing a 25% discount. The out of pocket costs would be approximately $6,200.

The contact is Sue Jessup (Cheltenham) 9583 7671 or Simon Trickett 0438 051 017. You can call Brian to set the appointment up also. OPTICAL: Specsavers is the preferred supplier. Peter Larsen is the Managing Director of Specsavers Australia and works out of the Australian Headquarters in Port Melbourne. The other Specsavers contact is John Carew who is located at 470 Collins Street. After all rebates are applied we should not be more than $200 out of pocket.

The contact is John Carew – 9620 4944. You can call Brian to set the appointment up also. CPAP VICTORIA: This organization tests and supplies CPAP machines for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, including masks, filters and bags. The contact is Gabriel Digenis who is the State Manager. She can arrange appointments at various locations. The out of pocket cost for a CPAP Dream Station Auto would be approximately $1,400 our of pocket after all rebates are applied.

The contact is Kirsten Lowe – 1300 750 006. You can call Brian to set the appointment up also. DENTAL: All dental work should be arranged by a Medibank Friendly dentist. You can search for a provider at https://www.medibank.com.au/health-insurance/find-provider/#/ and entering your suburb. Alternatively, you can call Brian Castanelli (5460-4011) for this information. PHYSIOTHERAPY: The preferred supplier is Naomi Bernardi. Her group operates in all areas of the city. Naomi also goes to Justin Villa. Her costs are $60 at Justin Villa and $90 at a private home. $46 to $90 is returned from Medibank and a yearly limit of $600 per policy applies.

The contact is Naomi Bernardi – 0407 407 355. You can call Brian to set the appointment up also.

PODIATRIST:

Sophie Ryan at Fitzroy Foot and Ankle Clinic is the preferred provider. The price ranges from $60 at the clinic to $120 for a home visit. The refund from Medibank is $40.40 and up to $400 per policy per year. Should you be a pensioner we can do better via Medicare, please call Brian.

The contact is Sophie Ryan – 0400 226 106. You can call Brian to set the appointment up also.

HOSPITAL:

St. Vincent’s, Cabrini, Epworth and St. John of God Geelong. Brian is in regular contact with these hospitals and the main accounts team at the different areas of each hospital. It Is best to use either Brian’s email or mailing address as the billing address, so that allows Brian to monitor account and quickly electronically forward onto Medicare and Medibank.

All priests have Gold Hospital cover, with a $500 excess, that is only paid once every 12 months (per calendar year). Please also expect the business of getting out of pocket charges from Surgeons and Anaesthetics.

It is recommended that if you are planning on going to hospital, you contact Brian first.

4. Role of the Clergy Care Team Nurses

  • This program has been implemented to assist older and retired priests of the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Working within the program are Therese Rush and Deslee Mortensen, who are registered nurses with a background in Aged Care. They will contact a priest when he is approaching retirement but those who feel they require support sooner may contact them.

Their support may include but is not limited to: • Assisting you to remain independent and safe within your chosen environment • Organising short term support following an acute illness or surgery • Organising long term support such as house cleaning, gardening, provision of meals, laundry etc • Discussion of medical issues • Organising appropriate assessments if they are required for your choice of living arrangements • Assistance with accessing entitlements when retiring.