Let’s be honest… applying for, then managing and implementing an NDIS plan is far from a ‘stress-free’ experience. Especially if you’re not aware of the support you can access with your plan. That’s where plan management comes in. With plan management, you can be confident knowing that the financial and administrative tasks associated with your plan are being taken care of by a team of professionals.
Understanding Plan Management
Plan management is one of the ways that your NDIS plan funding can be managed (the other options are self-management, agency (NDIS) management, or a combination). During your initial planning meeting and plan reviews, your LAC or NDIA planner may ask you how you would like your plan to be managed.
What you can expect from our team:
Assistance in understanding and implementing your funding
Management of any paperwork, and the processing and paying of invoices
Ensure budgets are on track
Provide advice and strategies to manage overspending or underspending on your funding
Provide regular budget reports so you can get the best value from your plan
Manage financial reporting for your NDIS plan review and auditing
Always put you and your needs first
If you have any questions about plan management with First2Care you can visit our website or contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or email support@first2care.com.au.
Five Benefits of Plan Management
1. Reduce stress, save time and live your life
One of the biggest benefits of plan management is that your plan manager can claim funds from the NDIS to pay providers on your behalf. Which means you don’t have to. This is particularly beneficial for participants who want more choice and control over who their providers are (registered or unregistered with the NDIS). Your plan manager can make sure that your invoices are paid correctly, that your NDIS funds are on track, and that any paperwork associated with your NDIS funding is in order.
2. More choice and control over your providers
Finding the right support provider to suit your needs is important. But what if you find the right provider and they aren’t NDIS registered? Having plan management in your NDIS plan means that you can access both registered and unregistered providers, giving you more choice and control over your support team. Your plan manager can also ensure that your providers are charging within the NDIS price guide limits.
3. Claiming just got a whole lot easier
Let’s just say that submitting and processing claims under the NDIS can be a little bit stressful. Doing this requires an understanding of complex codes as well as how to navigate the submission portal. Professional plan managers (like us) manage this on a day-to-day basis and know what paperwork is needed, how to quickly and seamlessly process claims, and the types of inclusions (i.e., what’s covered and what’s not) under the NDIS. Plan managers typically have seven days to process and pay invoices, our team aim to process and pay invoices within two to three business days.
4. Budgets managed by a team of professionals
It’s safe to say that most people are not fans of budgeting even though they know it’s incredibly important (especially with NDIS funds) to keep track of spending, invoices, and payments. Luckily, with a plan manager you won’t need to worry about your budget management – they’ll take care of it for you. And if there is any overspending or underspending on your budget, your plan manager can provide strategies to ensure budgets are on track. Each month your plan manager should send you a monthly budget report. Our First2Care Plan Magic online portal also offers budgets in real-time. All you need to do is login with your personal login details and you can view your current budgets.
5. It’s free
Plan management comes at no extra cost for participants. If you want to be plan managed, all you need to do is request plan management to be included in your NDIS plan from your LAC or NDIA planner. There is a specific funding category under Capacity Building Supports called ‘Improved Life Choices’ which can be funding for plan management. With the funds for plan management coming from an additional budget category, it does not take away funding from other categories in your plan.
New participants can request to have plan management included in their NDIS plan during their planning meeting. If you would like to be plan managed by First2Care you can fill in this form and provide a copy to your LAC or NDIA planner during your planning meeting.
Participants managed by another plan manager can transition to First2Care plan management. To do this you’ll need to notify your current plan manager that you wish to end the service agreement, and then contact our team on 1300 322 273 or email support@first2care.com.au. You can also fill in our online service agreement.
If you are currently self-managed or agency managed, you can transition to plan management at any time during your planning period. If you would like to make this change before the end of your current NDIS planning period finishes, you will need to speak with your LAC or NDIA planner as this process will require a complete plan review from the NDIA. Alternatively, you can make this request at your next plan review meeting.
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.