For Providers: A Guide To NDIS Plan Management
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides its participants with funds and a plan to help them in achieving their goals. They also present the participants with options on how they can manage their funds.
Self-Managed: In this option, the participants manage their own funds and pay the providers themselves.
Plan Managed: In this option, the participant hires a plan manager to help him manage the funds and support provided by NDIS.
NDIA-Managed: In this last option, the NDIA itself manages the funds for the participants.
Fronto Advisory has experienced NDIS consultants in Melbourne; in case of any queries regarding NDIS, feel free to contact them. Their professional advisors will guide you to the best of their ability.
What Is Plan Management?
In this option, the participants can hire a service provider who is also a plan manager to look after their funds. Participants can hire both registered and non-registered providers for this job. This option is different from self-managed or NDIA-managed funds because it allows flexibility, and the participants have better control over their plan while getting professional help with the funds.
The plan manager’s job is not stuck with managing funds, but he is also responsible for the queries of the participants related to the plan. They are also responsible for record-keeping and paperwork to prove how they are using the participant’s NDIS funds. Some plan managers also try to teach the participants financial skills to help them manage their funds by themselves on a smaller scale. This option aims to take a burden off of the participants and allow them a little more freedom.
Guidelines For Providers
NDIS has guidelines for all the services, and it is no different with this. NDIA updates guidelines for plan management for both the participants and the providers. If you are a plan manager under NDIS, here are the guidelines for you:
You are responsible for the participant’s financial and plan management skills as a plan manager. Teach them and build a good relationship where you can have a clear conversation about the funds and support. The goal is to make the participant independent enough so he can manage his funds himself in the future.
Plan managers must also share all the information regarding the NDIS plan and funds with the participant. The participants will not understand the plan until you tell them coherently; they need to know their progress so they can work towards their goal. You will also need to let them know how their funds are being used.
Another thing you must do as a plan manager is give monthly updates about the plan to the participant. Tell him the balance of his NDIS funds; you are responsible to cater the participant’s needs and wants. This will ensure that your participant meets his goal successfully.
How To Become A Plan Manager?
Here are the things that you will need to do to become a plan manager for NDIS:
- Meet the experience criteria in the field.
- Go through the required training courses.
- Stick to the standards set by the NDIS.
- Register yourself as an NDIS provider.
- Get your business legalised.
What Should Be Discussed In The First Meeting?
If you are a new provider and don’t know what things are necessary. Here are some things you must ask at your first meeting with the participant:
- How much funding does the participant have?
- The responsibility of each party.
- How will his budget be managed?
- How will the invoice work?
- How will the disputes be managed if need be?
Looking for NDIS Consultants in Melbourne?
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