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What is NDIS Plan Management?

Plan management is a financial disability service funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The aim of plan management is to support and guide you to use your NDIS plan funding in the best possible way to achieve your goals and outcomes.

What are the different ways my NDIS plan can be managed?

There are a number of ways your NDIS plan funds can be managed:

  • Agency Managed: The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) manages your NDIS funds. The NDIS will pay registered providers and services on behalf of the participant.
  • Self Managed: YOU or your plan nominee manages your NDIS funds. This means that you (or your plan nominee) will be reimbursed by the NDIS for any funds paid directly for your NDIS support and services.
  • Plan Managed: The plan management provider of your choice will assist you in managing your NDIS plan funds. The plan manager receives the funds from your plan via the NDIA which is then used to fund the services you receive.

Why should I choose to be plan managed?

When it comes to your NDIS budget, have you found yourself thinking:

If you are deciding on whether to be plan managed or not, we’ve put together a list of benefits to help you choose if it’s the right option for you.

Using plan management services allows you to: 

  • Use both registered and unregistered providers, which means you have more options to choose from, particularly in the areas where there aren’t a lot of providers
  • Save time on pesky admin work, as your plan manager will pay bills, store receipts and track your spending
  • Better understand your NDIS funding and how to use it to achieve your goals
  • Track your budget so you don’t run out of money
  • Have better control over how you use your funding
  • Stress-less about paying bills on time, and spend more time on activities you enjoy
  • Increase your confidence and skills around managing your budget

What does my plan manager NOT do?

Think of your NDIS Plan Manager as your Financial Manager/Assistance. Your plan manager is NOT a Support Coordinator, LAC or ECIC. The role of a plan manager focuses purely on assisting and supporting you with financial tasks relating to your NDIS funding. This also can include building capacity around managing your budget, so it is important to remember this when engaging with plan management services. 

It is NOT the role of your plan manager to:

  • Connect, organise or schedule your services with other providers
  • Manage your schedule or appointments
  • Provide disability related advocacy services
  • Decide what supports you can or cannot access (unless it’s not included in your plan)

How much does an NDIS plan manager cost?

Do I have to pay any out of pocket costs for my plan manager?
No, the NDIS pays for plan management under a separate area of funding in your plan. This will not impact funds used for other services in your budget.

What is the price for a plan manager?
Pricing for plan management services may differ depending on which provider you choose, however the schedule of fees must comply with the NDIS Price Guide. For each participant, Plan Managers get $1485 a year. This fee includes an establishment fee and ongoing monthly fees to cover all plan management services provided. The fees must also be clearly explained and outlined in a service agreement you will receive before signing up with a plan manager.
If you choose to change plan managers during your plan period, the new plan manager will not receive an establishment fee.

How do I find a plan manager near me?

Your Plan Manager must be an NDIS-registered provider. When deciding on who the right plan manager is for you, you should ask Friends & Family about their provider, search My Care Space for plan managers near you, view the NDIS list of registered providers or speak directly to plan managers and ask questions about their services and process.

So, now what? How do I set up plan management?

You can request plan management at ANY stage of your plan – this might be at your initial plan meeting, your plan review OR you can request a review of your plan at any stage to include plan management support

  1. Call the NDIS to request plan management or discuss this during your planning meeting
  2. Await NDIA approval – if confirmed the NDIA will allocate seperate funding in your plan to cover plan management supports
  3. Select a plan management provider (such as Plan Hero) and contact them to join and sign a service agreement
  4. Once you are set up with your new plan manager you will be able to start sending invoices for payment from your NDIS plan

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