Managing Your NDIS Funds

Managing Your NDIS Funds

For participants in the first stages of setting up and using funds, there can be many unknowns. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions to help you on your way.

What details do I need on an Invoice?

Invoices need all of the following information on them to be processed for payment.

• ABN

• Participant's name

• Participant's NDIS number (if provided to you)

• Invoice date

• Invoice number

• Description of services provided

• Dates that services were provided

• Hours of service provided and rate

• Total amount due

• Email address

• Bank details

How do I know what providers should be charging for services?

When providers know that they are providing services to someone with NDIS funding, they accept the rules and regulations set out in the NDIS Pricing Arrangement and Price Limits Document (found on the NDIS website). It includes information about the line codes providers should use, the maximum prices and an explanation of the different supports for each code. The NDIS also Provide a support Catalogue that has every line code and the maximum rate for each state.

As plan managers, we cannot tell providers what support they are providing or how much to charge; however, we can guide them to the relevant section of the NDIS Pricing Arrangement and Limits Document for them to review.

The great thing about plan management is that we ensure that you are not being charged above the maximum price rates for any services you receive. We will not pay invoices above the maximum rate and will work with providers to educate them on the NDIS rules and regulations to ensure that participants have choice and control.

Why can't I pay for meals through Core?

Meals are something that needs to be discussed at your planning meeting with your Local Area Coordinator. Meals are a quote required item in the NDIS Support Catalogue The NDIS will review how much you need specifically for meals.

This means that once you have a provider that you want to receive meals from, they send a quote that includes the total amount for meals for the entire length of the plan to enquiries@ndis.gov.au for approval.

Once accepted, the NDIS will have the exact amount of money allocated for meals specifically. It is not interchangeable with any other funding in your NDIS plan.

How much can I spend on an Ipad or laptop?

Flexible Assistive Technology is a response from the NDIS to navigate the Covid crisis. With lockdowns being a way of life and people still needing their therapies to continue. Telehealth became the most practical option. However, for that to be possible, the NDIS understood that participants would need assistive technology. This includes Ipads, Tablets and Laptops.

The current recommendation on the NDIS website is that an iPad or tablet should not cost more than $600, whilst a laptop should not cost more than $750.

What if I want a more expensive Ipad/laptop?

If you have found an Ipad/tablet that costs more than $600 or $750 for a laptop, you can only fund those amounts from your NDIS plan, and you will be responsible for paying the difference. We will always check with you if we receive an invoice for an iPad/tablet or laptop higher than what the NDIS allows to ensure that you are aware you will need to pay the difference before processing for payment.

What do I need to provide to ensure my Ipad/tablet/laptop is funded through my NDIS plan?

A supporting letter from an allied health professional outlining that the item is needed for continuing supports via telehealth and a /proforma/tax invoice from a provider.

What is a supporting document, and who can provide one?

A supporting document is a letter that advises how an item or service relates to a participants disability and NDIS goals. An allied health therapist must complete this. For lower cost items, sometimes we will only request a completed reasonable and necessary form. This is something that a participant or their plan nominee, representative or support coordinator can fill out. This form asks questions about how the item relates to the participant's disability and goals. The questions come from the NDIS standards of what would be considered reasonable and necessary. 

Why do I need to provide a supporting document?

Supporting documents are only needed for items that can be seen as an everyday living cost. Items specifically for people with disabilities and purchased from a disability provider don't usually require supporting documents. Items purchased from mainstream stores and that anyone might purchase will need some additional evidence.

How can I have an item suggested by my allied health specialist funded through my NDIS plan?

If you have any communication from your specialist, either via email or a report, then send that to add it to your participant file. We, as plan managers, are aware of the recommendation. Next, you will need to organize the purchase of the item. You can do this via the provider's website. Some have an NDIS Funding option for invoices, or give them a call if you are unsure and ask them to provide you with a proforma or tax invoice.

Once you have this, please email it to accounts@pathwaystocare.com.au. If the provider you want to purchase the item from will not provide a proforma/tax invoice, you can purchase the item yourself and email the receipt to accounts@pathwaystocare.com.au with the participant's bank details, and we can reimburse you from your NDIS plan. We cannot process quotes, and the receipt must include the details of the purchased item.