NDIS

[MaitlandGirl]

Anyone else trying to work their way through the madness that is the NDIS?

My wife is trying to get approved for NDIS but we’re finding the specialist reports to be so damn expensive. $250 for the psych and $3100 for the occupational therapist.

We’ve been told we can’t get the NDIS approval without the reports that prove she needs the therapy. We’re currently paying for private sessions with the therapists each week and spending over $1000 each week.

The GP is useless and just tells us to look online (!) but the neurologist is supportive. We’ve got a letter confirming diagnosis so that’s a start.

[ChocolateCrackles]

Have you engaged with a Local Area Coordinator?

[MaitlandGirl]

Yeah, we’ve been working with one but she’s never returns calls or keeps appointments.

I’m going to phone some others tomorrow and see if one of them will take us on.

[Dustyblue]

Sorry I totally misunderstood your situation; I thought you were already on a plan (slaps head). I've only done this as a self-managed parent of a 6 y/o, so your situation is very different.

We were able to get on an NIDS plan via a Local Area Co-Ordinator as above, and most of the 'specialist' reports we needed could be done under Medicare. Some we had to pay for. I'm guessing this is due to his young age though.

A letter from the Neuro is a brilliant start! You can hopefully find the nearest LAC (Local Area Co-ordinator) here:

LAC Partners in the Community | NDIS

Maybe I just got a good one, but mine has been fabulous about talking me the various processes. I really suggest you fine the local one and call!

[Dustyblue]

Sorry x-post

[NeedCoffeeNowPlease]

If you get NDIS approved, how long does it take till the funding is available?

[Dustyblue]

For me it was under a week I think, not long anyway. Once approved they put your contract/Plan together and you have to upload various forms of ID to the portal. Then you're good to go.

Of course the providers have to be pre-approved, you can't just start uploading any old expense. But that was process has been pretty quick too.

[NeedCoffeeNowPlease]

@Dustyblue

For me it was under a week I think, not long anyway. Once approved they put your contract/Plan together and you have to upload various forms of ID to the portal. Then you're good to go.

Of course the providers have to be pre-approved, you can't just start uploading any old expense. But that was process has been pretty quick too.

So not too long then. Thanks. I really should get onto that.

[Dustyblue]

Also when you upload your expenses, they pay within 1 business day which kind of amazed me. My DS has weekly appointments that I pay upfront for, then claim back and roll that money over to the next week. He's had therapies we couldn't possibly afford without it.

Whereas it's a complex process, once you get the hang of it I've found the NDIS far easier to deal with than Medicare or Centrelink. Fingers crossed that continues!

[NeedCoffeeNowPlease]

@Dustyblue

Also when you upload your expenses, they pay within 1 business day which kind of amazed me. My DS has weekly appointments that I pay upfront for, then claim back and roll that money over to the next week. He's had therapies we couldn't possibly afford without it.

Whereas it's a complex process, once you get the hang of it I've found the NDIS far easier to deal with than Medicare or Centrelink. Fingers crossed that continues!

I've almost finished filling out the form just now. Then I just need to make an appointment with the GP. :-)

[Dustyblue]

Best of luck :)

[NeedCoffeeNowPlease]

@Dustyblue

Best of luck :)

It should be pretty much a given that it will be approved. Fingers crossed!

[Dustyblue]

Excellent, let us know how you get on. Do you have a Local Area Co-ordinator? Mine was great at assisting me through the application process.

[NeedCoffeeNowPlease]

@Dustyblue

Excellent, let us know how you get on. Do you have a Local Area Co-ordinator? Mine was great at assisting me through the application process.

We do. I plan to be self-managed.

[Dustyblue]

Well, I should've realised that after my first 'virgin' year with the NDIS- things might get trickier!

Thinking of you @MaitlandGirl I think I just copped something like you have.

DSalmost-7 had his next 12 month plan approved, so I thought, via a phone call and supporting email from our LAC. I was so happy & relieved.

But no- I've since had correspondence (email letter and phone call) to say I need to provide support letters from every therapist/doctor he's ever seen. I freaked!

Now I've calmed down, it's actually not so bad. It meant I've had to harass his Physio, Play Therapist & OT to spend time writing up support letters. Thank goodness they're all well familiar with NDIS guidelines/practises and can knock up these letters quickly, without charging me much.

Also, as NDIS providers, they should want to protect their own income. Eg, Play Therapy is $165/week. Over 12 months that's nothing to be sneezed at. The Play Therapist damn well should spend time unpaid to secure that income. Luckily the physio agreed.

The issue seems to be I need to prove permanent impairment rather than permanent condition. All utter semantics. Imagine the child with cerebral palsy, unable to walk and in need of full care- why should you have to prove their condition hasn't improved in the last 12 months?

"Dear NDIS, I'm writing to inform you that a miracle has occurred, and our funding can be substantially reduced. The Pope has been informed and we've been praying to St Whatsherface. God Bless".

I'm on it, it's a bugger of a task though. Thank you for the vent!

Please join in with your own NDIS moans :)

[LunaMay]

I'm surprised they hadn't provided you or your coordinator a review report before your plan was due to roll over. All of our Allied Health workers at work do this plus myself for communtiy programs (results/progress, quote for future sessions/needs) and i just assumed it was a thing across the board. Also the cost for the time doing the report is included in the quote for the following plan.