For many participants, the CB Improved Daily Living budget (CB15) is one of the most important areas of funding. This is where professional therapy is paid from, such as physiotherapy, psychology, and occupational therapy. It is particularly important to manage the funds in this category so that crucial therapy can continue to be delivered throughout the plan, especially if reports are needed toward the end of the plan.

One of the ways in which the CB15 budget may be overused is if non-therapy services are billed incorrectly. Therapies may only be delivered by a registered allied health professional with suitable qualifications to deliver that support. Services such as standard support work are much more suited to the Core budgets rather than CB15, and if therapies are being billed it is important to confirm with the provider that they are sufficiently qualified. With the maximum rate more than three times more expensive than standard support work, even a small amount of incorrect claiming can quickly deplete funding.

To help you in monitoring CB15 spend, First2Care recommends:
1. Establishing a service agreement with the provider, including a schedule of supports or a quote, so that you know exactly how much the services are expected to cost over the plan
2. Referring to the monthly budget reports to identify how the funding is tracking, as well as which providers are being utilised
3. Logging into your First2Care client portal for real time budget status
Another tip to keep on top of CB15 spending is to utilise the line item 15_038_0117_1_3 – Training for Carers and Parents. This allows your qualified therapist to train parents or carers in some techniques the carer can apply in the home, such as exercises or stretches.

In turn, you may not need to have appointments at the therapy practice as frequently, which can be beneficial if:
• Travelling to the appointment is difficult or stressful
• There are lockdown or stay-at-home restrictions due to COVID-19
This should not replace important therapy, but it can be an option for participants with a tight budget. We recommend discussing the suitability of this option with your therapist.