What is a Plan Manager?
Plan managed is when a registered provider helps you to manage & keep on top of your funding in the NDIS budgeted plan. These providers are known as plan managers. Plan management is different from having the NDIA manage funding in your NDIS plan, or you choosing to self-manage your plan.
Plan management as a service offered is not deducted from your current plan if you don’t have it included already, it is a stand-alone item under ‘improved life choices’. Plan management fees can only be claimed once the services has been offered. The fees associated are set by the NDIS and that price guide can be viewed on the NDIS website.
Why use a plan manager?
A plan manager can help you:
- with increase your financial and plan management skills
- learn how to self-manage your plan
- pay providers
- increase your choice of providers
- get NDIS plan budget reports and greater budget oversight
Some of the reasons to use the services of a plan manager is that they can help with, paying providers and increasing your choice of providers which are not registered with the NDIS. They can provide experience and knowledge to help you self-manage your own plan and provide greater control along with providing budget reports and insight into planning and getting the most out of your NDIS plan.
Getting your first NDIS Plan
This is the perfect time to learn about plan management and how it can help you once you have your plan. Participants are encouraged to select a plan management provider who best matches their preferences and needs. A participant can find and connect with a plan management provider in a number of ways, including:
- contacting a Local Area Coordinator, Early Childhood Partner, or support coordinator
- seeking recommendations from peer networks
- using the Provider Finder tool on the NDIS myplace participant portal, and
- exploring other online resources and websites including the NDIS Commission (external).
Escape support services will advise you regularly on the position and path of your budgeted plan. Meaning, we will provide you with current funds available and the rate of utilising those funds and the expected depletion. We will advise if overspend is a possibility in the near future and plan accordingly.
Already have an NDIS plan with Plan Management included?
If financial management is included in your NDIS plan (listed as Improved Life Choices or Choice and Control) you can go ahead and sign up with a plan manager. ESS Pty Ltd can help with management of finances and the plan management fees are not deducted from your plan (they are a separate budget). You can contact us over the phone or via email and we can explain the whole process and answer all of your questions. One thing that can help with this process is a copy of your NDIS Plan so we can make sure your budget allocations are right when we set up your file with us.
