What Does an NDIS Plan Manager Do?

NDIS supports people with lifelong disabilities to fulfil their goals. Whether it is assisting a person with disabilities to look after their personal hygiene, perform daily chores, get a new job, or actively socialise in a community. In Australia, NDIS lays out an eligibility criteria for specially abled people to claim the funding for achieving these goals. 

While claiming for NDIS funding in your NDIS plan, you are often asked to choose between self-managed or NDIA-managed plan. If managing an NDIS plan all by yourself is difficult, then an NDIA-managed plan can limit the support you will receive. 

This article will guide you through what an NDIS plan manager does differently and why to find one. 

Who is an NDIS Plan Manager?

NDIS plan manager is a person responsible for managing the A-Z aspects of NDIS funding. When you receive these funds from NDIS to fulfil your significant goals, you can request your NDIS support worker to include a separate funding for NDIS plan management services. 

Primarily, an NDIS plan manager makes the best use of your budget to fulfil your end goals. Besides managing the budget, their goal is to ensure that you receive the best support without worrying about the NDIS price structure and their guidelines.

Let’s dive in to understand the duties of an NDIS plan manager more clearly. 

Responsibilities of an NDIS Plan Manager

Here is everything to know about the NDIS plan manager. 

1. Personalized Planning:

Your meeting with a plan manager usually begins with a consultation. During this meeting, an NDIS plan manager understands your needs, goals, and preferences. While your NDIS plan already shows this information, a plan manager takes an extra step to take note of what services are most important and least important to you. 

After knowing your NDIS budget in each of the core support, capacity building support, and capital support categories, the plan manager allocates specific funds for services under each category.

2. Gives the Freedom to Choose NDIS Service Providers:

After distributing the total budget into small portions of services, the next step is to find a reliable service provider. A plan manager has in-depth knowledge and expertise in finding reliable service partners. The best thing is you can have a freedom to choose between NDIS-registered or unregistered providers. 

Based on your NDIS plan and budget, a registered plan manager willfully works with any of your chosen providers. Also, if you are finding difficulty to choose one best provider, a plan manager also guides you with their list of service providers maintaining a good track record.

3. Guarantees Prompt and Right Payments to Service Providers:

This always ensures that your service providers are paid well on time. This means that they are capable of handling the payment process of NDIS services. 

As soon as services are rendered to a participant, a provider generates their invoice detailing the costs and services. A plan manager receives these invoices on your behalf, while also reviewing them to check if it meets the service agreement and your NDIS plan. 

This shed off the burden of handling administrative tasks of receiving payment bills and verifying them which in any case can take hours. Also, an NDIS plan manager connects with the NDIS portal to claim funding from your NDIS plan just on time so that the providers continue to be your helping hand. 

4. Keeps Financial Records:

One of the best advantages of having an NDIS plan management is their authentic record-keeping assistance. Every little financial transaction that goes into the account of a service provider or any other healthcare provider automatically records in a CRM portal. A plan manager records the service provided, dates, amount, and payment status to provide evidence of their services when necessary. 

5. Provides Access to Financial Statements and Tracking Systems:

Apart from keeping a record of all the invoices, transactions,and receipts, the plan manager gives you the access to check your monthly statements to see how you are spending the NDIS funds. 

Also, you get an advantage of tracking how your funds are being used with their services. Continuously monitoring the budget is crucial and a plan manager makes sure to review the budget frequently in response to your changing needs.

6. Guarantees Compliance with NDIS Pricing Guidelines:

NDIS pricing guidelines describe a maximum funding amount that can be utilised within a particular category. NDIS Plan management always works in accordance with these structures to balance if you are overspending or underspending the NDIS budget. 

During NDIS audits, these providers utilise their receipts and transaction records to present the same during the audit meetings.

7. Educates About Self-Managing the Plan:

Providing ongoing support and guidance is a crucial role of an NDIS plan manager. They break down complex information into easily comprehensible terms, ensuring participants are fully aware of their entitlements and options. 

Plan managers offer expert advice on optimising the use of NDIS funds, making informed decisions about service providers, and adjusting plans as needs change. This continuous support empowers participants to confidently navigate the NDIS, focus on their goals, and achieve better results. Regular check-ins and accessible communication channels ensure participants always have the help they need.

Benefits of Having an NDIS Plan Manager

• Plan Managers Bring Specialised Knowledge of the NDIS

Plan managers possess in-depth knowledge of the NDIS framework, including the latest policies, procedures, and funding categories. They have worked with all types of NDIS plans and can provide best advice on making the optimal use of funding. 

Managing the funding alone or relying completely on NDIA for handling your NDIS plan can be difficult if you are looking for a combination of structured plan and flexibility in budget.

• Save Time for Participants

Plan managers handle all tasks associated with NDIS plans, including processing invoices, managing payments, and ensuring compliance with NDIS guidelines. This allows participants to focus on their personal goals and daily activities without stressing over paperwork.

• Reduces Stress and Administrative Burden for Participants

By taking over the financial and administrative responsibilities, plan managers significantly reduce the stress and burden on participants. This support helps alleviate the anxiety associated with managing a complex NDIS plan, allowing participants to enjoy a higher quality of life.

• Maximise Plan Utilisation

They conduct regular reviews of the participant’s plan to make any relevant and more effective changes. Plan managers negotiate with service providers to secure the best rates and services, maximising the value of the NDIS funds. 

• Ensure Financial Control and Transparency

Plan managers implement robust financial management systems that track every transaction in detail. They maintain accurate records of all expenses and comply with NDIS guidelines. This approach provides participants with clear oversight of their funds.

Final Words

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog. We outlined everything about who NDIS plan managers are and their roles and responsibilities in managing your nDIS plan funding. 

In a nutshell, an NDIS plan manager breaks down funds into specific services, processes payments, verifies the invoices as per the NDIS price guidelines, keeps records, and involves you to access your spendings. While self-managing your plan might come across as a difficult task, coordination of NDIS plan managers helps in understanding a lot about NDIS pricing policies.