NDIS Self-Management vs Plan Management
What is NDIS self-management
When you self-manage your NDIS finances, you are in charge of everything, including the administration of your NDIS plan.
You are responsible for sending your provider bills to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), making sure they are paid on time and correctly, and keeping track of all of your receipts in case you are the target of an audit. Your weekly time commitment for administrative tasks related to managing your NDIS funds can range from 5 to 25 hours.
What advantages can self-management offer?
Self-management allows you to access both registered and unregistered providers, giving you control over how you utilize your funding. To give you more options, your providers may charge you more than the upper limit specified in the NDIS price guide. Some NDIS participants or plan nominees like the level of involvement and hands-on management that comes with self-managing their NDIS finances, which can resemble operating your own small business.
What is NDIS Plan Management?
Plan management entrusts a qualified funding specialist with managing your NDIS money (like Carer Mates). A plan manager is an independent service provider who handles all the administrative tasks related to your plan and ensures that your providers are paid correctly and on time.
How does NDIS Plan Management benefit you?
You have access to both NDIS-registered and unregistered providers through plan management. The advantage of this is that care providers ensure that their rates adhere to the NDIS price guide, preventing overcharging for services.
Plan Partners doesn't just handle the administrative tasks they also provide you with advice, guidance, and resources so you may confidently manage your finances and secure the help you require.
Additionally, you have access to their services which makes it simple to monitor your spending, accept bills, and submit reimbursement requests.
Plan Partners like Carer Mates can assist you to understand your plan and what it includes so you can navigate the NDIS with confidence and make the most of your finances because we have years of experience working in the disability sector and with the NDIS.
Paying Care Providers Directly Yourself
For interacting with the NDIS, some providers impose additional fees. This is why you might want to make an upfront payment to a provider using your funds and then request a reimbursement from the NDIA using your funding.
Fortunately, plan management and self-management are both effective ways to accomplish this. Even better, Plan Partners allows you to submit through your Dashboard and receive your money back the very next business day; this is much faster than the NDIA!
Plan Management or Self-Management? Which one is better for you
This is dependent on your circumstances, personality, and available time. It truly depends on your degree of confidence and how hands-on you want to be, as both alternatives allow you to access any service providers, NDIS registered or not.
Self-management might be for you if you love taking a very active role in handling your finances and maintaining thorough records. Plan management is the best option if you'd prefer the assistance and direction of a pro.
You can get the best of both worlds
Another thing to consider is that don’t need to have just one administration option for all your support categories. You can plan and manage your Capacity Building money but self-manage your Core funding so you can defer paying your upfront major expenses. Additionally, you can change your mind mid-plan without having to conduct a whole plan review.
Conclusion
If you are currently on the National Disability Insurance Scheme or planning to be on it, you may be considering what NDIS Management you should choose. While you can have a balance of both Self-management and Plan Management, finding and choosing the best plan management provider is also critically important. We at Carer Mates provide superior, high-quality NDIS services and supports in Darwin and the surrounding region. We reach out to everyone, especially First Nations communities, and provide unique care.
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