What Is NDIS Plan Management?
NDIS Plan Management is a way for participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to manage their funding. It provides support in handling the financial aspects of their plans. You don’t have to handle the documentation as an NDIS plan manager takes care of everything. With this approach, people with disabilities or their caregivers can focus more on their goals and less on paperwork.
NDIS Plan Management Options
NDIS offers participants three main options for managing their funding: NDIS plan-managed, agency-managed, and self-managed. You can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Agency Management: In agency management, the NDIS directly pays the registered providers for the relevant services on behalf of the participant. This option requires the least administrative work but offers limited choice in service providers.
Self-management: It gives people with disabilities the most control over their NDIS funding. The participant or the nominee manages the funds and is reimbursed by the NDIA for the support they receive. This option allows for the greatest flexibility in choosing a support provider but requires more time and effort to handle administrative tasks.
Plan Management: This is the middle ground between agency management and self-management. Here, the individual chooses a plan management provider to assist them in managing NDIS funds. Plan managers can work with both registered and unregistered providers on behalf of the participant. The funding is provided by the NDIA.
When exploring NDIS plan management options, consider how much control you want over the plan and the amount of administrative work you’re willing to do. Each has its benefits and challenges. Here’s a comparison of NDIS-managed, self-managed, and agency-managed plans:
| Feature | NDIS Plan Management | Self Management | Agency Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to NDIS-registered providers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Access to unregistered providers | Yes | Yes | No |
| Flexibility in choosing providers | High (includes both registered and unregistered) | High (includes both registered and unregistered) | Limited (only registered providers) |
| Administrative burden | Low | High | Moderate |
| Requires record keeping | No | Yes | No |
| Billing issues resolved on your behalf | Yes | No | Yes |
| Bound by the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits | Yes | No | Yes |
| Monthly financial reporting | Yes (provided by the plan manager) | No | Yes (directly by NDIA) |
| Direct payments to providers | Yes (via plan manager) | No (paid directly by the | Yes |
| Reimbursement for services received | No | Yes | No |
| Access to plan management experts | Yes | No | No |
| Control over funding decisions | Moderate (plan manager assists) | High (participant manages all) | Low (NDIA makes decisions) |