9 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the NDIS Plan Management

As we know, NDIS is a scheme that offers financial support to Australian citizens with disabilities. The NDIA, the organisation that implements NDIS, aims to make life easier for its participants by helping them achieve their goals and live as independently as possible. However, NDIS terminology can sometimes be confusing and challenging to comprehend. One such word is NDIS plan managers or plan management. Most of the time, participants take time to understand plan management and delay its benefits.

With this article, we are simplifying plan management so that every participant understands and timely avails of its benefits. Read on to learn more.

What Is NDIS Plan Management?

The NDIS offers funds to its participants so that they can achieve their goals. However, it also presents options for the participants wherein they can choose how they would like to manage their funds.

There are three options available for NDIS participants. These are-

Self-managed: The participant manages their NDIS plan by themselves. So they will be responsible for generating invoices, collecting payments, paying the providers etc.

Agency-managed: The participant can ask NDIA to manage the funding, and they wiill be responsible for paying the providers directly.

Plan Manager: Participants can avail of the services of a plan manager who will look after the funding and provide the best budget assistance at reasonable costs.

What Are the Responsibilities of an NDIS Plan Manager?

Plan Managers are the intermediaries who handle NDIS funding on your behalf. They are responsible for paying your service providers with NDIS funds and advising you on what you can and cannot buy with those funds. A Plan Manager who pays your providers, track of funds, and handles financial reporting will be paid for by the NDIS with money from your plan.

The NDIS plan manager is responsible for-

• Receiving invoices directly from a provider or through the participant claiming funds from the NDIS Portal.
• Paying invoices.
• Giving the participant a monthly statement that includes a summary of spending and a breakdown of remaining budget totals (amount of funding remaining).

How Can a Participant Benefit From an NDIS Plan Manager?

The NDIS participants who opt for plan managers avail many advantages. A few of them are as follows-

• Select and work with service providers who can meet your needs (registered or unregistered).
• Avail services at the best prices.
• Better experience, flexibility, and control of life when an expert takes over administrative duties.
• You receive funding from NDIS for plan management so that another person can handle your paperwork and fund management.

What Is the Cost of Availing the Services of an NDIS Plan Manager?

Choosing a plan manager is a service that NDIS provides its participants without an extra cost. If you inform the NDIA that you would like to use plan management, they include the price in your NDIS plan.

Is Every Participant Eligible for Plan Management Services?

Yes, in NDIS, there is no discrimination about who can avail of the services of a plan manager. If you are a participant, you can opt for a plan manager. All you must do is let the officials know about your requirement during the planning meeting, and they shall do the needful.

How to Choose a Plan Manager for Your Requirements?

Once you decide to avail the services of an  NDIS plan manager, it’s time to find the best one suitable for your needs.

1. You can begin by asking for recommendations from the local area coordinators or your family and friends who have already availed the services of an NDIS plan manager.
2. You can check their website to analyse their tone and core values to see if they seem compassionate and eager to serve.
3. After that, schedule an appointment to have a chat with them. During this time, inform them about your goals and how you wish to spending your NDIS funds. Be careful about how they react and whether they are optimistic about your choices.
4. If everything seems to align, talk to them about the service agreement and cancellation plans if things turn out differently than expected.
5. Once satisfied with their policies and outlook, take the next step and sign the service agreement.

Do Plan Managers Have a Services Agreement?

Yes, if the NDIS participant and plan managers choose to work alongside, they must begin by signing a service agreement. A mutual agreement is crucial because it will protect both parties from potential problems and misunderstandings in the future.

Can the Participant Cancel the Agreement Mid-Term?

If the NDIS participants aren’t satisfied with the services of the plan manager or due to some other reason, they can choose to cancel the agreement mid-term, and the process is quite simple.

You only need to inform your current plan manager that you are switching to a new plan manager after signing up with your new Plan Manager. It is up to the participant to choose whether or not you tell them why.

During the switch, participants must also inform their service providers that they should send their invoices to their new plan manager.

Will the NDIS Fund a Plan Manager Every Year?

If the participant wants to avail of the services of an NDIS plan manager every year, they can inform the same during the planning meeting, and the NDIS will take adequate steps to include it in the plan.

Summing Up

Having an NDIS plan manager can help the participants concentrate on their goals rather than thinking of using the funds effectively. We hope this article did answer some of your queries regarding plan management and you are now willing to include this service in the plan.

If you still have questions about NDIS plan management, you can contact Sky plan management https://www.skyplanmanagement.com.au/ for the answers. They are a person-centric, compassionate team of individuals offering plan management services across Australia. They help the participants live peacefully and focus on achieving their goals while they handle the plan.