Following the recent release of the 2020-2021 NDIS Q4 report, we were thrilled to see that the number of NDIS participants opting to be Plan Managed has increased by 2% throughout this last quarter. And while 2% may not seem like a big number, with 466,619 people with disability currently supported by the NDIS and 49% of them being Plan Managed, a 2% increase is definitely something to celebrate. If you want to know what the big deal is about Plan Management, we are here to answer all your questions AND why First2Care is the Plan Manager for you.
Agency, Self or Plan Management… what’s the difference?
If you already have an NDIS plan, you probably discussed your NDIS plan management options with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIA planner during your Planning Meeting (and in any Plan Review Meetings you may have had). If you’re new to the NDIS or just starting to explore your options, when it comes to managing the financial side of your NDIS plan you can choose between Agency Management, Self-Management and Plan Management.
Agency Management means that the NDIA will manage your NDIS plan funding, including processing and paying invoices on your behalf. It also means that you will only have access to NDIS registered service providers. For some this may not be an issue but for many participants having access to both registered and unregistered service providers means that they can access a support team that suits their needs.
This is where Self-Management and Plan Management come in. With Self and Plan Management NDIS participants have the choice and control to engage both registered and unregistered providers. This means that they have more options when it comes to their support team.
While Self-Management allow participants to opt for registered and unregistered providers, being self-managed also means that participants must manage the administrative and financial side of their plan themselves. With a Plan Manager, that is taken care of for you.
Plan Management gives you the freedom to live your life knowing that the administrative and financial side of your NDIS plan is being managed by dedicated professionals, and the chance to choose who you want on your support team no matter if they are NDIS registered or unregistered.
Who can access Plan Management?
Plan Management is available to any NDIS participant as long as it is included in your NDIS plan. If you request Plan Management to be included in your NDIS plan, the NDIS are legally required to provide funding for it. This means that having Plan Management in your plan comes at no extra or out-of-pocket cost to you. Plan Management is listed in the Capacity Building Support budget under Improved Life Choices.
How can I change to Plan Management?
If your NDIS plan has already commenced and you don’t have a Plan Review Meeting coming up, you still have the option to change to Plan Management. To do this you will need to contact your LAC or NDIA planner and follow these three easy steps:
Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 or contact your Local Area Coordinator (your LAC's phone number will be listed on your NDIS plan).
Ask them for a ‘light touch review’ or ‘desktop review’ (essentially this is a simple review and not a review of your whole NDIS plan)
Explain that you would like to change to plan management. Although there are no eligibility criteria that you need to meet, you may still be asked why you want to make this change (for example, access to unregistered providers and assistance with managing your funding). This will help to ensure that your request is processed as quickly as possible.
You will be contacted by the NDIS or your LAC when your request is approved.
What Makes First2Care different?
Our aim is to provide exceptional Plan Management services to all our plan managed participants.
To do this we:
Tailor our Plan Management services to suit your individual needs because we know that not every participant is the same.
Reduce stress by managing the administrative and financial tasks of your NDIS plan so that you can focus on what’s important – you.
Give you full choice and control over who you have in your support team (registered or unregistered providers)
Offer access to a personal Client Manager who can help you to understand the ins and outs of your NDIS plan and how to maximise your NDIS budgets.
Provide access to our MyPlan portal so that you can track you budgets and invoices.
Pay your invoices on time, every time
Manage your spending, claims and paperwork so you don’t have to
Answer any questions you may have
With First2Care as part of your support team, you can be confident knowing you’ll be receiving the very best in Plan Management services. While we take care of the financial and administrative tasks associated with your NDIS plan, you can focus on what's important - living your life and achieving your goals.
Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.