Q&A - Why Plan Management?

Q&A - Why Plan Management?

We caught up with Kerrie to understand how Plan Management has a positive impact on her life and gives her more time to focus on her son's goals.

More time to focus on what’s important in life and advice from a team of experts is the reason Kerrie uses Pathways to Care as her NDIS Plan Manager. “My Pathways to Care Plan Manager keeps on top of how my plan is progressing and if I need a review with the NDIA, he’s already putting that into place without me having to give it any thought,” Kerrie said.

“The other advantage is when I’m in need of a new health professional, like an OT, my Plan Manager does the research and provides me with advice and options, where I’m free to choose the provider that’s going to be best for me.”

Kerrie said using Pathways to Care for Plan Management took away the need for her to sit down and pay invoices for services she’s received. “The thought of having to keep track of and pay my invoices on a computer almost sends me into a panic attack, but with Pathways to Care keeping on top of all that, I never have to worry.

“I have more important things to do, and I am too busy to worry about that,” Kerrie said.

“I’ve been with Pathways to Care since the beginning, and I couldn’t recommend them more highly.”

Kerrie says the caring team at Pathways to Care help her feel like a team of caring experts is only ever a phone call away. “I can call the main number and get onto someone straight away or send an email and they reply so quickly,” Kerrie said.“Ros, the Director, has a knack for picking great staff. To them, it’s not just a day job, they really do care about me. She’s amazing and is very responsive whenever I’ve contacted her.”

Kerrie said the speed at which provider invoices were paid by Pathways to Care was also a positive for her. “I like that they’re straight on to paying invoices, it just helps all these other businesses which are providing my care,” she said.

For those considering whether Plan Management is right for them, Kerrie has this advice: “Just get it in your plan, it makes life easier”. If you’re new to the NDIS, you may not know that Plan Management comes at no cost to the participant.

The full chat with Kerrie is below!

Pathways to Care (PTC): How does Pathways to Care support you and how long have you been linked with us?

Kerrie: They take care of my Plan Management and I’m also supported by one of their Support Coordinators.

I’ve been with them since they started. They’re all helpful and I can’t recommend them more highly.

PTC: What do you find helpful about having Plan Management as part of your NDIS plan?

Kerrie: There are a few things. My Pathways to Care Plan Manager keeps on top of how my plan is progressing and if I need a review with the NDIA, he’s already putting that into place without me having to give it any thought.

The other advantage is when I’m in need of a new health professional, like an OT, my Plan Manager does the research and provides me with advice and options and then I’m free to choose the provider that’s going to be best for me.

PTC: Do you find it easier to let something else take care of tracking your plan?

Kerrie: Yes, it’s much easier. The thought of having to keep track of and pay my invoices on a computer almost sends me into a panic attack, but with Pathways to Care keeping on top of all that, I never have to worry.

I have more important things to do, and I am too busy to worry about that.

PTC: Do you find it easy to contact your Plan Manager in an accessible way?

Kerrie: Yes. I can call the main number and get onto someone straight away or send an email and they reply so quickly.

When I’m trying to call other organisations, sometimes I get put straight on hold or an automatic message tells me to call back later as they are busy. This is never the case with Pathways to Care.

Ros (the organisation’s Executive Director) is amazing and is very responsive whenever I’ve contacted her about an issue or to get information.

PTC: How are your interactions with the PTC team and do you feel well supported?

Kerrie: Ros has a knack for picking great, caring staff.

To them, it’s not just a day job, they really do care about me, and you can tell they want to be doing this job.

PTC: Do you have any advice for people who may be considering Plan Management or are new to the NDIS?

Kerrie: Just get Plan Management in your plan, it makes life easier.

If you’re new to the NDIS, you may not know that Plan Management comes at no cost to the participant. Funds are included in the NDIS Plan to cover this service and do not take away from any other funding included in a plan. Read more about NDIS Plan Management here.