Change to How Providers Claim for Group Based Support

Hello,

The NDIA introduced a new way providers must claim for group support. Providers of group-based supports in the community or a centre were required to move to this new pricing arrangements by 31 December.

The new pricing methodology comprises:

• Participants sharing the price of the individual worker supporting them

• Charging participants individually for any non-face-to-face supports undertaken for them 

• Charging separately for Centre Capital Costs.

Old Item Numbers vs New Pricing Model Item Numbers

The old item numbers can easily be identified as the ratio of how many participants per support worker is included as part of the line-item description. The new item numbers do not provide information about the ratio, as this will need to be calculated separately.

Old Item Numbers include information about:

• The location the support was provided (in the community or centre)

• Time/Day of the week

• Intensity of the support

• Ratio of participant to support worker (eg: 1:2. 1:3 etc)
  

New Group Item Numbers only include information about:

• Time/Day of the week

• Intensity of the support

The location that the support is provided (eg. ‘Centre-Based’ or ‘Community-Based’) is no longer used to select the line item using the new model. However, since the ratio of support for the group activity is no longer calculated in the pricing, the hourly rate charged to each participant is calculated by the provider by either dividing the hourly rate or the number of hours by the participants in each small group. (On our program, groups are determined by the number of participants in a small group, per staff member - these small groups may join with other small groups and staff members to access certain activities).

What other charges can apply to the new item numbers?

The old item numbers are all inclusive of the non-face-to-face support provision, these could not be charged in addition to the rate. However, under the new model these costs are separate and need to be calculated individually for each participant. 

Where can I find more information? 

To be honest, I found it very difficult to find information regarding this for service users. Some of the following information may be of interest to you though if you wish to learn more.

• New Group-based support pricing information

• NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2023 - 2024

The Long and the Short of It:

Overall, you should see a reduction of costs for the group-based support, your invoices may look a bit different though - and will include Non-Face to Face Costs that were previously included in the overall price - These activities are required to enable the group support to be delivered.  Non-Face-to-Face support items may include, but are not limited to:

• Service Programming;

• Group and Individual Activity Planning,

• Regular Outcome Report Writing and Communication;

• Consultation And Reporting to Other Providers;

• Skill Development Progress Reporting;

• Client Risk Assessment and Mitigation;

• Planning And Coordination of Services;

• Activity Preparation and Set-Up.

These supports will be documented and will be available upon request.

This information will be reflected in your Schedules of Support/Quotes and Service Agreements. We thank you for your patience and cooperation whilst we endeavour to update each individual’s documents.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you require any further information.

Kind regards;

Luke Adams

Program Manager

(This email was sent out to all enrolled families on the 15/02/2024)