Changes are coming...
Changes are coming…
Changes to First Avenue…
As of the 1st of July, First Avenue will be continuing to offer high-quality plan management services.
James and I have had to make the difficult decision to cease our support coordination services from 30th June and believe it’s the best decision for our participants, families, and business.
This decision was not made lightly, and we hope that you can appreciate why we have made this choice.
We understand this is an inconvenience and we are sorry for any frustration this may cause. We do however want to make the transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved.
If you have any questions or concerns about this change, please feel free to reach out to myself or James.
Pricing updates – announced 22 June 2022
The NDIS have recently released their updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (Price Guide) effective from 1 July 2022.
The NDIS have recently released their updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (Price Guide) effective from 1 July 2022.
Below are some of the most notable key points:
Support work prices increased by 9%
Prices dependent on the Disability Support Worker Cost Model have been increased by 9%. This includes:
Assistance with self-care activities and establishment fees
Self and plan management capacity building
Assistance in SIL
Assistance to access community, social and recreational activities, including group supports and establishment fees
Supports in employment
Psychosocial Recovery Coaching
Tenancy support
Life transition planning
Individual skills development
Transition through school and to further education
Training for carers/parents
No more level 3 high-intensity supports
Where previous Price Guides included support work prices for 3 levels of complexity, the new Guide includes only two: the standard price, and a single “high intensity” price, which is defined as support provided to a person:
For whom frequent (at least 1 instance per shift) assistance is required to manage challenging behaviours that require intensive positive behaviour support; and/or
Who requires assistance from a disability support worker who has one or more of the high intensity support skills specified in the NDIS Commission’s NDIS Practice Standards: skills descriptors
Short notice cancellations now 7 days
The definition of "short notice" has been extended. Previously set at 2 days for shorter supports or 5 days for others, the definition is now set as a situation where a person:
Does not show up for a scheduled support within a reasonable time, or is not present at the agreed place and within a reasonable time when the provider is travelling to deliver the support; or
Has given less than seven (7) clear days’ notice for a support.
Providers are now also allowed to bill for Centre Capital Cost in the event of a short notice cancellation.
Nursing Supports up by 2.94%
Prices for nursing supports will be indexed by 2.94% in line with the Wage Price Index and Consumer Price Index.
Changes to provider travel rules
Core support providers are now also able to bill for journeys from the participant back to the usual place of work, provided that the person consents and the worker is paid for this trip (or that the worker is a sole trader). The maximum time billable per trip is 30 minutes (ie. 60 minutes return) or 60 minutes for people in remote/very remote areas. This brings core supports in line with the existing rules for capacity building supports.
Restructured line items for Allied Health Professionals
The Improved Daily Living support category has had a makeover, with new line items created for each allied health profession.
You can the full Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits documents here.
NDIS Plan Implementation Directory is now available
The NDIS has launched the Plan Implementation Directory to support participants and their families and carers to find the right information needed to make the best use of their NDIS plans.
The directory is an accessible platform and has links to key topics that participants have said are important to help use their NDIS plan.
The NDIS developed the directory by working closely with participants in more than 570 hours of engagement and consultation.
Participants, their families and carers can use the Plan Implementation Directory to:
understand their plan
start their plan
use their plan
work with providers
know what to do when something goes wrong.
They have launched the Directory as a test version. This means they will continue to update the directory based on what you tell them you would like to see in the Directory.
Want to know more?
To learn about the Directory and find more information to help you use your plan, Click here.
The NDIA has introduced a new plan review process...
DSC is Australia's leading training, conference and consulting group specialising in the NDIS.
They have released an article on their website stating the NDIA has introduced a new plan review process.
Follow this link for more information. Click Here
My NDIS App
The 'my NDIS' app makes it easier to manage your NDIS plan where and when you want to.
The 'my NDIS' app makes it easier to manage your NDIS plan where and when you want to.
The ‘my NDIS’ app is an accessible and user-friendly way for participants to see their plan, check their budget, and make claims.
Use the app to:
Quickly and easily check your budget
See what funds are available before you claim
Claim on the go when you purchase supports
Talk to providers about your goals and how they can support you
Keep track of your budget and check past claims
The NDIS app is available for download on both Apple and Android devices.
Your budget in your pocket
Quickly and easily check your budget and see what funds are available
Select a budget to see the different support categories
All participants can use the app to easily keep track of their funds
Switch between Self-managed, Plan-managed, and NDIA managed budgets quickly
Your plan when you need it
Easily view your goals, and profile information when you need it
Have your plan on hand when you talk to providers about how they can support you
Self-managed? Claim on the go
A fast, accessible way to claim from your self-managed budget
The my NDIS app makes it easy to claim for supports while you are with the provider
Save favourite claims to claim even faster for supports you buy regularly
Upload receipts from your phone while you claim
Easy for nominees too
Nominees and child representatives can use the app too
Log in with your own NDIS number (not the NDIS number of the participant you represent)
Easily switch between participants if you are a nominee for more than one person
Participant feedback about the app
More than 450 participants helped us build and test the app
Over 30,000 people are using the app
Participants have submitted over 128,000 claims using the app
It has a 4 star review in the app store
Watch the My NDIS App Video here or click here to get more information from the NDIS website.
