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Plan Management Overview
Do I have to pay extra for Plan Management services?
What support does a Plan Manager provide?
What are the goals and responsibilities of a Plan Manager?
Who can help you get the best out of your NDIS plan?
What information does an invoice need in order to be claimable through the NDIS?
How do I request a reimbursement?
What is Plan Management?
Plan management or financial intermediary is one of three ways a plan can be managed. This is a division that the NDIS have created to help individuals with an NDIS plan seamlessly connect and use their NDIS planned funding.
The 3 ways your plan can be managed are:
- Self Managed – is where you manage your own NDIS funding
- Plan Managed – is where you appoint a plan manager to manage your NDIS funding
- Agency Managed – is where NDIS registered providers connect directly to the NDIS to claim payment for support services they provide
Plan management services allow you to use a provider that is either registered with the NDIS, or not registered with the NDIS; giving you the choice and control to utilise whatever service provider you are most comfortable with, as long as they a valid ABN.
Do I have to pay extra for Plan Management services?
No. Whether or not the NDIS requires your plan to be plan managed or you request that it be plan managed, the NDIS will allocate a separate set of funding for plan management service fees which are a fixed amount determined by the NDIS.
This does not impact your funding in any way. You will still have the same amount of funding for services your chose.
What support does a Plan Manager provide?
The support given can be simplified into the following points:
- Managing and monitoring a participant’s budget.
- Making claims on behalf of the participant and forwarding payment to providers for goods/services delivered.
- Providing updates to show the financial status of the participant’s NDIS plan through statements.
- Notifying participant’s when their budget is likely to go over their allocated funding amount or is being under-utilised.
- Assisting a participant realise increased choice and control over their plan with a wealth of experience handling NDIS rules and regulations.
- Lend advice to the participant as to how they can best utilise their plan – offering a knowledge base to further a participant or nominee’s understanding and financial capacity.
All plan managers are registered NDIS providers – and are to adhere by and deliver upon the NDIS Code of Conduct.
What are the goals and responsibilities of a Plan Manager?
The goals of a Plan Manager for their participants are:
- Help participants achieve their goals outlined in their NDIS plan
- Reassure all financial interactions are impartial, adhering to the NDIS code of conduct, demonstrating honesty and integrity – enabling the participant to make informed decisions regarding their plan.
- Ensuring a participant’s planned funding is safe and respected.
- Informing and encouraging both participants and providers to use best practice pertaining to the NDIS and utilising their plans
Who can help you get the best out of your NDIS plan?
- Support Coordinators: If you have funds allocated in your plan, you can engage a support coordinator who will help you find suitable supports for your needs.
- Local Area Coordinators: (or LACs) can kick start your journey in finding supports or items, as well as help you to get certain items or supports claims approved.
- Carer Solutions: Via our Direct Employ service you can directly employ people you already know and trust as Support Workers as an alternative to traditional agencies Click here to find out more about this service.
How long does it take for an invoice to be paid through Carer Solutions personalised Plan Management service?
Invoices are normally paid within 5 business days.
What information does an invoice need in order to be claimable through the NDIS?
- The provider’s NDIS business name
- The provider’s ABN
- The participant’s full name and/or NDIS number
- The support item number or detailed description of each service provided
- The amount and quantity claimed for each unit of the support provided. For example, $51.09 each x 2 units (i.e. hours or items purchased)
- The date/s the support was delivered
- The total invoice amount
- The GST component if applicable (most services are GST free).
Note:
A service providers’ invoice can only reflect goods or services for one participant, but can include multiple supports.
How do I request a reimbursement?
Occasionally, you may purchase consumables (if they are in your Plan) or pay other providers, and this may result in you being out of pocket.
To request a reimbursement, you must;
- Contact us and provide us with the bank details of the account you would like us to reimburse the funds into.
- Provide copies of the tax receipt and/or proof of payment
- Then email your reimbursement request to payments@carersolutions.com.au