The NDIS is changing the way that providers like Milparinka charge you for supports. They are doing this to ensure fairness to both participants and services.
For many people this change will result in a small increase in what is charged to your NDIS plan. Some things you need to know.
- This change is mandated by the NDIS and we have no option other than to implement this.
- The changes, will come into effect, at the latest, by the 1/1/2024. They can be implemented now so for some people it will come into effect earlier, this will be because you have a new plan starting prior to the 1/1/24.
- The Milparinka Committee of Management have decided that:
- If people have a current plan that is due to expire after the 1/1/24
- We will not increase our prices to match the new levels until you have a new plan or your plan is extended.
- This means we will continue to charge you, what we are charging you now, until the end of your current plan.
- Your invoices will look a bit different. This is because we will need to change the codes and line items we use to charge you to the new ones, the NDIS will remove the ones we have now. However, the total charge will be the same.
- If you have a plan that has recently restarted/extended or is starting before the end of the year, 2023. The quote you receive from us will be developed on the basis of the new funding model and we will start changing that from now.
On average this change will cause an increase of between $300 to $1000 per year. We recommend that if your plan in about to expire that you contact us for an updated quote prior to attending your NDIS planning meeting, so you can request the correct amount of funding in your new plan.
When you request a quote from us we will go through the new pricing model in accordance with the supports you are seeking to be sure that you understand the changes. In the interim please see below for an overview and examples of the new charging model.
What are the changes?
The changes basically separate a number of different elements that are used by the NDIS to build up the current hourly rate. The new method of charging charges each of these as separate items. I have detailed these separate items below.
- Hourly rate for direct supports: There will continue to be an hourly rate for the provision of staff supports. This hourly rate will be charged for one to one supports and, when you are in a group, this hourly rate will be divided by the number of participants and a portion charged to each person. The table below shows how this works.
Hourly Rate | Level of support | Charge to each person Per hour |
$66.45 | 1 to 1 | $66.45 |
$66.45 | 1 to 2 | $33.22 |
$66.45 | 1 to 3 | $22.15 |
- The 2 new billable items are (please note, an allowance for these 2 items has always been included in the hourly rate, they are now being separated out and treated as separate items): Centre Capital Costs and Non Face-to-Face supports. What are these?
- Centre Capital Costs?
Centre Capital costs are a standard hourly rate set by the NDIS to cover the costs of building and resources needed in the provision of supports.
- Non Face to Face time?
This charge is to cover the cost of work that staff need to do, when they are not with participants, to prepare programs or respond to other issues. The NDIS require providers to now bill this as a separate item.
The following are examples of some of the standard daily non-face to face tasks that our staff complete:
- Daily Recording of goals notes
- Set up and pack up for the day
- Providing progress updates towards goals
- Sequencing of programs and activities
- Planning and research for Group based/ Respite activities
- Timetable planning
- Communication aide – Preparation and amendment
- General phone calls with families and supports
- Familiarisation of therapy reports and designing their implementation.
In addition to the standard items included in non-face to face charges, if you require additional non face to face supports such as training of staff in an issue related to your supports, e.g. learning about your diabetes or epilepsy support, or, staff are required to attend care team meetings, these will incur additional non face to face charges.
Who does this impact?
The non-face to face supports will impact all participants at some level. The Centre Capital Cost will impact all participants who whose program are based in a centre or programs in which the centre is available to them should it be needed.
How does this impact me?
If you are supported 1 to 1 in a centre-based group or Escapades | |
Current Daily charge for direct support is $68.89 times 6 hours of support |
$413.34 |
New Charging Model Daily charge for 6 hours of direct support is $66.45 times 6 hours of support: $398.70 Plus – Average Non face to face charge: $33.22 Plus Centre based Capital Costs $2.44 times 6 hours: $14.64
|
$446.56
|
Difference | $33.22 |
If you are supported 1 to 2 in a centre-based group or Escapades | |
Current Daily charge for direct support is $39.65 times 6 hours of support |
$237.9 |
New Charging Model Daily charge for 6 hours of direct support is $33.22 times 6 hours of support: $199.32 Plus – Average Non face to face charge: $33.22 Plus Centre based Capital Costs $2.44 times 6 hours: $14.64 |
$247.18
|
Difference | $9.28 |
If you are supported 1 to 3 in a centre-based group or Escapades | |
Current Daily charge for direct support is $29.91 times 6 hours of support |
$179.46 |
New Charging Model Daily charge for 6 hours of direct support is $22.15 times 6 hours of support: $132.90 Plus – Average Non face to face charge: $33.22 Plus Centre based Capital Costs, Costs $2.44 times 6 hours : 14.64 |
$180.76
|
Difference | $1.30 |
The above figures relate solely to the hourly cost of support and do not include other items such as travel costs.
