Have a question about the NDIS and Plan Managing? We have lined up an expert Plan Manager to answer them.
Emily from Plan Partners who offer Plan Management services nationally will be answering your questions.
Our Preferred NDIS Plan Manager
Plan Hero Plan Management is our preferred NDIS Plan Manager because they are independent, specialist Plan Managers who have both lived experience and expert NDIS knowledge. Plan Management is all they do!
Plan Hero helps you keep your funding organised and on track within each funding period, so you don’t overspend or leave funds unused. They make sure providers are paid on time and help you stay on top of your budget. Their team is easy to reach, with clear, direct communication and no waiting on hold (ever).
Plan Hero gives you the support you need to use your NDIS funding with confidence.
Plan Hero helps you keep your funding organised and on track within each funding period, so you don’t overspend or leave funds unused. They make sure providers are paid on time and help you stay on top of your budget. Their team is easy to reach, with clear, direct communication and no waiting on hold (ever).
Plan Hero gives you the support you need to use your NDIS funding with confidence.
Can I use small businesses for my supports?
My plan manager is giving me trouble because some of my invoices don't have ABNs.
This is because I use individuals for some services and pay them direct. I get a receipt but there's no ABN. Is that ok?
Using a Plan Manager
Hi,
That is a great question!
Having a Plan Manager included in your NDIS plan allows you to access supports from both registered providers and unregistered providers, which includes Australian small businesses.
However, they do need to have an ABN for multiple reasons, such as your protection, taxation, etc...
So far, only self-managed funding participants can use non-ABN providers, having said that self-managing participant do have to adhere to some of the NDIS regulations as well.
If you have any further queries, feel free to contact us at [email protected] or 03 9512 6700.
Thank you,
Maple Plan Team
NDIS
Hi!
What’s the best advice you can give to someone who is currently waiting for their 1st meeting in relation to the NDIS. My son is 5 and has ASD but we are feeling a little nervous in relation to our hopes of rolling over.
Thanks!
Preparing for your first NDIS Meeting
Hello,
Waiting for your 1st NDIS meeting can be nerve wrecking, but you're not the only one that feels that, so don't worry. There are plenty of resources out there that can help you prepare for the meeting, so that you can get the best outcome out of the 1st meeting.
I've found a pretty good Pre planning article from MyCareSpace that explains thoroughly on what you can do to prepare.
In short:
1. Be clear on your goals
2. Write down the support that you believe you need to achieve your goals
3. Gather supporting documentation as to why you need the support mentioned above
4. Be clear on how you want your funds to be managed (Agency Managed, Plan Managed or Self Managed)
Should you decide that you would like to be Plan Managed or know more about the advantages of Plan Management, give us a shout! Find our details here.
Thank you,
Maple Plan Team
Preparing for your first question
Hi there
Firstly NDSP wishes you every success with your NDIS journey for your Son.
Because your son is under 7 he is classified by the NDIS as Early Intervention which means you can get support through your ECEI (Early Childhood Early Intervention) partner. Please call NDIS to determine who the ECEI partner is in your LGA (Local Government Area).
The ECEI team is your one stop shop to help you. through the process of access, through the planning meeting and post plan to help you implement the plan and find the right providers for supports such as therapy.
The best advice NDSP can provide is to think about the functional impact of your Sons diagnosis, think about the goals you want to work towards as this will help the NDIS understand the support he needs to achieve the goals. E.g therapy supports
Lastly NDIS is an insurance scheme and is evidence based so collect your evidence E.g Doctors reports, preschool and school reports to your meeting to evidence the impact ASD has on your sons life.
Talk with your ECEI partner about the 3 Ffund Management Options too as you may find Plan Management could be the door to opening up your provider options, if so we would love to support you and your family.
We wish you well with your ECEI supports to getting that first plan done and we truly hope that the NDIS helps to support your son to live his best life.
Please let us know if you have any further questions about the benefits of NDSPs Specialist Plan Management service.
Regards
NDSP Plan Management
[email protected]
1800 636 377
Do I always need service agreements with providers?
If you're plan managed or self managed do you really need to have service agreements with every single service?
Do I always need service agreements with providers?
Hi there
This is a great question.
NDSP follow the same ethos as NDIS do in relation to having service agreements with your providers irrespective of your chosen fund management option.
The reason for this is to protect your rights under Australian Consumer Law.
A service agreement ensures transparency regarding supports, service inclusions and the cost for the service. A good service agreement will also include the rights and responsibilities of each stakeholder.
We hope this supports your growing knowledge of NDIS and your rights as a consumer.
Regards
NDSP Plan Management
[email protected]
1800 636 377
Cancellation Fees
Hi,
I live in a remote area and I have heard there are new rules about cancellation fees - what are these ?
Cancellation Fees
Hi,
Thank you for your question. If your enquiry is about cancellation fees for Plan Management, I can ensure you that there are none. You can always switch Plan Managers whenever you want to, and they can’t charge you cancellation fees. Your new Plan Manager won’t charge set-up fees if you have already used these in your current plan. I’d also like to point out that if you have Plan Management in your NDIS plan (the category ‘Improved Life Choices’), it will be covered by the NDIS and there will be no costs to you.
If your enquiry is about cancellation fees for services provided under the NDIS in general, it depends on the service agreement you have with your provider. The NDIS Price Guide provides more information:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/price-guides-and-information#price-guide-for-ndis-providers-as-of-1-february-2019 (i.e. see page 18)
Kind Regards,
Emily
Plan Partners
1300 333 700
Plan Management V Support Coordination
I don't know much about Plan Management, and I don't want to do Self Management, so what are the advantages and disadvantages of Plan Management...and how does this fit in with Support Coordination please?
Plan Management V Support Coordination
Hi,
That’s a great question! Plan Management is a very useful service, as it supports you in managing your NDIS funds. A Plan Manager will handle all the day-to-day administration that comes with an NDIS plan, such as processing invoices and keeping track of your fund balance, rather than Self Management, where you have to organise everything yourself.
With Plan Management you’ll be able to access some expert advice throughout your NDIS journey and use handy tools where you can track your spending such as Plan Partners’ online dashboard. Many people choose Plan Management as it offers the most choice and flexibility, saves time and makes managing NDIS funds easy. And the great thing is, it is your right to have it included in your NDIS plan, so if you ask for it, you should get it, at no cost to you.
So while Plan Management is all about organising your NDIS money, Support Coordination is all about organising your supports. If you have Support Coordination in your plan (the NDIA will decide whether you’re eligible), your Support Coordinator can help you find and connect you with service providers that are the best fit for your needs.
Plan Management and Support Coordination are two separate services and covered in two separate support categories in your NDIS plan – so if you have one, you don’t automatically have the other.
For more information on both services, visit www.planpartners.com.au/services and of course, give our friendly team a call if you’d like to discuss what options are best for you.
Warm regards,
Emily
Plan Partners
1300 333 700
Webinar with Sean Dempsey from Plan Partners
Thanks Emily. For those people that want to understand the difference between plan management and self-managing, watch the webinar we did with Plan Partner's CEO, Sean Dempsey: Getting the most from your NDIS Plan
Plan partners
why can’t plan partners get it together or be honest I see reminders for invoices not paid almost weekly but am told that are all paid on time. Why dose it take plan partners months to do service bookings/ connection. Why is it that I was forced for beg for basic wheelchairs parts like tires & tubes & bearings that were worn out. Who do plan partners promote themselves as being so helpful & caring when my & many others personal experience have been that of lies failure to return emails & calls & being completely unhelpful
Hi
I am a new NDIS Provider, providing transport to NDIS participants in NSW. The NDIS does not provide any transport prices in their price guide and we are not sure how to benchmark our pricing. We have provided a few quotes but none of them have been successful. How would a plan manager assess whether or invoice is reasonable ?
Transport
Thanks for your question. As with all NDIS supports, transport costs are assessed by the NDIS and by any Plan Manager using the reasonable and necessary criteria (for more information about these criteria, click here).
How transport costs should be quoted and invoiced depends whether you are providing transport solely, or as part of the services your provide to NDIS participants.
If you provide transport only, the transport funding is usually self-managed by the participant. In this case, there should be no restriction on duration or costs as long as the participant agrees to this and has the required funding in their NDIS plan.
If you provide transport as part of your services (i.e. for transport to community participation activities), this could be plan managed. These trips are usually charged at an hourly rate (or if it is easier for you, at Plan Partners we also work with a per-kilometer rate). You will have to negotiate this rate ahead of the time with the participant. Make sure you formally agree on the rate you will charge and put in your service agreement so there’s no confusion or disputes down the track.
For more information, read our handy blog article on how the NDIS can fund transport arrangements or give our friendly and experienced team a call on 1300 333 700.