Find out how to access psychologist services under the NDIS at Vision Psychology Brisbane.
In 2013 the Australian Government legislated for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which is managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Did you know that there are a number of ways to manage your NDIS funding?
There are four ways to manage your NDIS funding, including:
- Plan-managed funding;
- NDIA-managed funding;
- Self-management;
- Or a combination of the above.
For example, you could choose to self-manage one part of your plan, and have the rest of your plan NDIA-managed.
A Brief Guide to the NDIS
No matter which option you choose, you still have choice and control to ensure your services are working for you and fit in your budget.
What’s the Difference between the Options?
- Plan-managed – The NDIA will provide funding in your plan to pay for a Plan Manager who pays your providers for you. They claim directly from your budgets in your plan to pay providers on your behalf, view your plan on the Myplace portal to keep track of your budget, and take care of financial reporting for you. Depending on your circumstances, they can also help you choose your providers.
- NDIA-managed – The NDIA pays your providers on your behalf. When NDIA-managed, you are able to choose from a range of NDIS-registered providers. Your providers claim payment electronically from your funding. You cannot use unregistered providers. You can look on the Myplace portal to see what claims providers are making against your NDIS funding and keep track of your budget. The NDIA will manage your book-keeping and records of your spending.
- Self-management – The NDIA provides you with funding so you can access the supports that will best help you achieve your goals. By choosing to self-manage, you will have control over and responsibility for your NDIS funding so you can manage your own budget for the duration of your plan, and choices in deciding what supports you purchase in line with what is included in your plan, who provides these supports, and how they are delivered.
- A combination of the above.
What’s the difference between a registered and unregistered provider?
Registered providers have met requirements regarding qualifications, approvals, experience and capacity for the approved supports in your NDIS plan.
Unregistered providers are not registered with the National Disability Insurance Agency, however, are still able to deliver a support or product to you, as long as they help you to meet your NDIS plan goals in a safe and professional way.
How do I choose service providers to deliver my services?
When choosing service providers, it is important to work out what you want and find the right providers to meet your needs. Talk to them about your goals and how they can help you to achieve them. Clarify their service cost, duration, and how to deal with complaints or payment issues.
I was already using a certain provider before joining the NDIS. Can I continue seeing them?
Yes, you can – as long as they can safely and professionally deliver supports included in your NDIS plan.
Before using your NDIS plan, it is recommended that you have a discussion with your chosen provider about how they will deliver your supports. It can be helpful to bring a copy of your NDIS plan, although you are not obligated to. You may choose to only share parts of your plan so that they know what you want to achieve and how you would like them to assist you.
How does the funding work if I self-manage?
You will normally need to make a written agreement (Service Agreement) with your provider(s) which clearly outlines what will be provided to you, how and when your supports will be delivered and paid for.
Once you receive your support, pay your provider using your own money and get a receipt. Make a Payment Request to have the money from your NDIS plan budget paid into your nominated bank account. You will then be reimbursed within 24 to 48 hours.
If you are currently Plan-managed or NDIA-managed, and are interested in self-managing all or part of your NDIS plan, speak with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIA planner.
For more information on self-management, visit the following pages:
- https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-plan/self-management
- https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-plan/self-management/learning-self-manage-your-plan
NDIS Psychologist Services at Vision Psychology
To discuss the best way for you to access psychology and counselling services under the NDIS at Vision Psychology Brisbane, we recommend that you book a free Emotional Health Checkup with Katalin Mezei by calling (07) 3088 5422 today.