What does a plan manager do?
A Plan Manager is someone who assists and supports you to manage your N.D.I.S. plan funding.
They do this in two main ways:
– by managing the financial administration of your plan;
– by helping you develop skills to organise your own finances.
Why use a plan manager?
Plan Management has several advantages:
– you are able to access supports from non N.D.I.S. registered providers, which gives you more choice about the supports you want;
– you have someone to help you get the support you need, and help you understand what funds are available in your plan;
– you have choice and control in how your plan is managed, without the administrative work involved in self-management.
How much funding is available for Plan Management?
In their first plans, participants usually get $1,425.01 for Plan Management (this might be different if you live in a remote area). This is made up of 12 monthly processing fees of $100.18 per month and a set up fee of $222.85.
Plan Management is separate from the other funding in your plan. You do not have to pay a percentage of your plan. You should never have to reduce other supports to cover your Plan Management.
Participants can get funded for plan management every year if they wish.
Changing Your Plan Manager
You can change your Plan Manager any time during the life of your plan, as long as you give them sufficient notice. The period of notice you must give is outlined in your Service Agreement.
It is a good idea to talk to the Plan Manager first to see if you can resolve the issues you have, but you do not have to do this.
If you still want to change, they must help you by giving you detailed information about any due or outstanding invoices.
If you have any problems you cannot resolve with the Plan Manager, you can make a complaint to the N.D.I.S.
What you can expect from your Plan Manager
– to effectively administer your plan and manage the tasks necessary in a way that supports your individual circumstances;
– to understand your supports and goals, including an understanding of how you want your providers to be administered;
– to communicate with you regularly in the way that you prefer, and in a way that you can easily understand. They must provide financial statements to you at least once a month;
– to process payments and invoices on your behalf and keep you updated on your plan spending. They must let you know if your funding is being spent too quickly or too slowly;
– to explain their fees clearly.
A Plan Manager does NOT assist you to find service providers, or help you roster your providers. Nor do they provide advocacy services. See Get Started for more information on advocacy and how to access it.
GET STARTED
Find a Plan Manager.
Contact your Local Area Coordinator, Early Childhood Partner or support coordinator.
Ask your network for recommendations.
Use the N.D.I.S. Provider finder tool (located on your N.D.I.S. myplace participant portal).
Check the provider is registered by searching the N.D.I.S. Provider Register.
Discuss your goals and supports with the Plan Manager.
Tell them how you prefer to be communicated with (for example by phone, email, face-to-face).
This will help the Plan Manager to create your Service Agreement, which should make clear what you have both agreed to do and how you wish to be supported.
Remember, you have the right to negotiate the terms of this agreement. Ask questions if you do not understand any part of your Service Agreement.
If you have problems you cannot resolve with the Plan Manager, you can make a complaint to the N.D.I.S. For information on how to do this, go to the N.D.I.S website’s How to Make a Complaint About a Provider page.
For information about advocacy, see our Finding Your Way Advocacy page.
ACTION STEPS
Here you can find a simple list of the best actions to take if you are interested in this topic:
1 . Think about how you want your plan to be managed
Do you want agency management, self management, plan management or a combination?
2 . Choose a Plan Manager, if you have decided to use one
Arrange a time to meet the planner, or talk on the phone.
3 . Discuss your supports and goals with your planner
It is important the planner understands your needs to help you get the most out of your plan.
4 . Establish a Service Agreement with the planner
Ask questions if there is anything in the agreement you do not understand.