How much is Teletherapy?
Teletherapy or telehealth means the therapy is not delivered face-to-face, but rather over the phone or video.
It can be used to deliver therapeutic supports where appropriate and with the agreement of the participant.
Providers can only claim Telehealth Services where ALL of the following conditions are met:
- The delivery of the support by telehealth is appropriate
- The proposed charges for the activities comply with the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits and with the Service Agreement with the participant
- The activities are part of delivering a specific therapy to that participant (not things like enrolment, administration or staff rostering)
- The provider explains the activities to the participant, including why they represent the best use of the participant’s funds (that is, the provider explains the value of these activities to the participant)
- The provider has the agreement of the participant in advance (that is, the service agreement between the participant and provider specifies that Telehealth services can be claimed).
Providers have a duty of care to their participants to ensure they are providing the same standard of care through video technology as in a clinical setting.
Teletherapy costs the same as a direct face-to-face service.
Claims for Telehealth Services should be made using the same relevant support line item in the NDIS Price Guide. When making a claim on the portal, you would select the "Telehealth Services" option.
How much is teletherapy when it's delivered to a participant in a remote or very remote area?
In general, the cost of teletherapy = the price of therapy delivered at the location of the provider. So, even if a participant is in a remote area, the rate charged depends on where the provider is located.
For example: if the speech therapist is located in metro Sydney area, and the participant in a very remote area in Western Australia, the rate charged would be the regular metro Sydney rate.
BUT, participants in Remote or Very Remote areas can agree to pay the remote or very remote prices, if they are satisfied that the support provides value for money.
