We are starting to see the impact of the recent changes to NDIS legislation.  The introduction of ‘Impairment Notices’ by the NDIS will link all funded supports to specific impairments.   

Section 33 of the legislation has introduced funding amounts and funding periods to all new NDIS plans.  This clarifies the amount of funds available in the plan and how long the funds need to last.  We are also seeing specific ‘Stated Supports’ in some of our clients plans which can limit the services that we can provide. 

What does this mean for Providers?
Providing services outside of the funding amounts, funding periods and specific supports approved in a clients NDIS plan can lead to our invoices being rejected for payment by NDIA and/or Plan Managers.  NDIS changes have placed increased financial risk on Providers requiring us to set new payment terms for Self-Managed clients and to closely monitor payment of Plan Managed & NDIA managed invoices.  

What does this mean for participants?
It is important that participants understand that these changes affect the amount and the type of supports that we can provide under the terms of your NDIS plan.  This means that participants will need to pay close attention to their budgets and ensure that they are not overspending within each of the funding periods.  

Under the law, there are supports the NDIS will and won’t fund.  Visit the NDIS website Would we fund it | NDIS for more information.  You can only spend your funding on NDIS supports as they are described in your plan.  

Payment of invoices that are rejected by the NDIA or your nominated Plan Manager will be the responsibility of the Participant.

Providers have no oversight over the budgets and Stated Supports listed in your plan unless these are disclosed by the Participant. We are also unaware of other services that participants may purchase, such as speech therapy or psychology. 

To mitigate this risk, as a minimum requirement, we will need to receive the following details from your new plan so that we can ensure that our services align appropriately with your approved supports: – 

1. Any Impairment Notice as stated in your NDIS plan 
2. Funding period schedule under your Improved Daily Living Skills budget. 
3. Services you require so we can accurately prepare a Service Agreement and Schedule of Supports.  
4. Any Stated Supports in your plan. 
5. Your NDIS goals as they relate to Occupational Therapy. 

Please speak with your therapist or a member of our Admin team when you receive a new NDIS plan so that we can provide supports that align with your plan.