The NDIS COVID Addendum includes information on claiming for COVID related expenses:

• Rapid Antigen Testing for SIL Support Workers
• Vaccines and Boosters
• Supported Independent Living

Rapid Antigen Testing for SIL Support Workers

CLAIM CODE:

• RAPID_ANTIGEN_TEST_SIL ($12.50)

Providers can claim the cost of a Rapid Antigen Test when a support worker is required to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test in order to be able to deliver supports to a participant.

That is, a provider can only claim for this support if they would be unable to deliver a support to a participant (for example, through re-rostering other workers) without a support worker undergoing a Rapid Antigen Test.

In order to claim, providers:

• must incur the expense – that is, must have paid for the Rapid Antigen Test undertaken by the support worker;
• must be delivering a support item in the Assistance with Daily Life support category in the registration group – 0115 Assistance with Daily Life Tasks in a Group or Shared Living Arrangement.

Where the support worker is supporting a number of participants, then the cost of the Rapid Antigen Testing should be apportioned between the participants on a pro rata basis.

The total amount claimable from the NDIS through this direct billing arrangement is $12.50 per Rapid Antigen Test.

This applies to all states and LGA from 23 December 2021 - 31 August 2022

Note: providers will have up to 28 calendar days to bill the Agency for costs incurred once this support is removed.

Vaccines and Boosters

Enabling COVID Vaccinations for PARTICIPANTS

CLAIM CODE:

• PARTICIPANT_VACCINATIONS ($75/per participant)

Eligible providers can claim $75 per participant, per dose to receive any COVID-19 vaccination, irrespective of whether it is a primary or booster vaccination, as a direct claim from the Agency.

This is an all-inclusive price that allows providers to organise the best approach for participants to receive a vaccination offsite.

In order to claim this payment, eligible providers:

• must provide the NDIS number and date of birth of the participant that has been vaccinated;
•  obtain consent from the participant before organising a vaccination appointment;
• if requested by the Agency, be able to provide third party evidence the vaccination took place (date, location, certificate, etc.)

This support can be claimed by providers of:

• 0104 High Intensity Daily Personal Activities
• 0106 Assistance in Coordinating or Managing Life Stages, Transitions And Supports
• 0107 Daily Personal Activities
• 0115 Assistance with Daily Life Tasks in a Group or Shared Living Arrangement
• 0125 Participation in Community, Social and Civic Activities
• 0127 Management of Funding for Supports in Participants’ Plans
• 0133 Specialised Supported Employment
• 0136 Group and Centre Based Activities

This amount can be claimed between 1 April 2022 - 31 August 2022

Note: providers will have up to 28 calendar days to bill the Agency for costs incurred once this support is removed.

Enabling Vaccination Boosters for WORKERS

CLAIM CODE:

• BOOSTER_VACCINE_DSW ($100 per worker)

Registered providers can claim $100 per worker to receive a booster vaccine. The item is only claimable once per worker, per Booster Vaccine.

In order to claim this payment, eligible providers:

• must ensure the worker is fully vaccinated (correct number of doses have been administered);
• must provide the full name and date of birth of the worker that has been vaccinated;
• if requested by the Agency, be able to provide third-party evidence the vaccination took place (date, location, certificate, etc.)

This support can be claimed by providers of:

• 0104 High Intensity Daily Personal Activities
• 0107 Daily Personal Activities
• 0115 Assistance with Daily Life Tasks in a Group or Shared Living Arrangement
• 0125 Participation in Community, Social and Civic Activities

Can be claimed in all states and LGA's between 1 January 2022 and 31 August 2022

Note: providers will have up to 28 calendar days to bill the Agency for costs incurred once this support is removed.

Supported Independent Living

Additional Services for SIL Participants

CLAIM CODE:           

• ADD_SERVICES_SIL_NOT_REMOTE ($1200/day)
• ADD_SERVICES_SIL_REMOTE ($1,680/day)
• ADD_SERVICES_SIL_VERY_REMOTE ($1,800/day)

This COVID direct billing arrangement applies to all states and local government areas (LGAs) effective 11 January 2022: 

This support recognises that SIL providers will sometimes incur additional costs in providing supports to a participant where the participant is required to self-isolate or quarantine.

These costs could include:

• Additional costs of higher intensity support (staffing increase),
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the support workers,
• Professional laundering,
• and any other costs directly related to the participant’s diagnosis including, if applicable, the costs of any alternative accommodation provided to the participant by the provider.

A provider may make a direct billing claim for this support in respect of a participant on a day if and only if:

• the participant is receiving SIL from the provider; and
• the participant is required to self-isolate or quarantine by federal or state/territory government COVID policies; and
• the provider has incurred expenses above those usually incurred in the provision of Assistance in Supported Independent Living supports to the participant; and
• the claim date is after 11 Jan 2022.

If a provider is eligible to claim for this support in respect of a participant then that claim can be made in addition to the usual claim that the provider makes for SIL supports for the participant.

Deep Cleaning in a SIL setting

CLAIM CODES:        

• DEEP_CLEAN_SIL_NOT_REMOTE ($300)
• DEEP_CLEAN_SIL_REMOTE ($420)
• DEEP_CLEAN_SIL_VERY_REMOTE ($450)

This COVID direct billing arrangement applies in all states and LGAs effective from 7 Feb 2022

This support recognises that providers of SIL supports will sometimes incur additional costs with respect to the professional deep cleaning of a residence of a participant who is required to self-isolate or quarantine.

A provider may make a direct billing claim for this support in respect of a participant on a day if and only if:

• the participant is receiving Assistance in Supported Independent Living supports from the provider; and
• the participant is required to self-isolate or quarantine by the federal or state/territory government COVID policies; and
• the provider has incurred expenses in respect of the professional deep cleaning of the residence of the participant; and
• the claim date is after 7 Feb 2022

The support is only claimable once per eligible participant per period of COVID infection.