NDIS Updating COVID-19 Response Measures from 1st July
In keeping with national health advice, businesses and the community are beginning to ease restrictions and some temporary measures introduced by the NDIA in response to COVID-19 will also begin to return to normal procedures.
Today the Minister for the NDIS, The Hon Stuart Robert, announced the first stages of a post-coronavirus NDIS, following a review of temporary measures to support participants and disability providers during the pandemic.
The following will apply from 1 July 2020:
- removal of the temporary 10 per cent price loading on certain core and capacity building supports
- the definition of short term cancellations reverts back to two business days. Providers will still be able to claim 100 per cent of the agreed support price for a cancellation at short notice, as introduced as part of the Annual Price Review
- the Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) period will return to the original policy of 90 days (rolled back from 180 days).
An updated Price Guide 2020‒21 is now available, to reflect the end of these temporary arrangements. The final price limits for 2020‒21 are not yet known as this is dependent on the Fair Work Commission’s decision on minimum wages.
The updated Price Guide 2020‒21 also includes some clarifications:
- a support for a single participant by a single worker that crosses a shift boundary can be billed at the single higher rate
- Capacity Building support items included for innovative community participation and community participation activities
- allied health assistants and therapy assistants can deliver group-based supports.
The temporary arrangements for Supported Independent Living and the flexible approach to purchase low cost assistive technology remain in place until further reviews are completed.
The NDIA conducted regular monitoring of the market throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including through proactive provider engagement and looking at the impact of the pandemic to businesses and organisations.
The NDIA will continue to monitor the market and respond to emerging issues.
Recovery of the advance payment to providers will commence on 1 October 2020, via six equal monthly instalments. Next week, we will contact affected providers with more details on this process. The recovery method is designed to ensure providers retain cash flow and existing payment claims and remittance processes continue without change.
Visit the NDIS website to read the News item with the Minister’s announcement.