New laws for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are now in effect but the government says that for most people, there won’t be big changes to the way participants experience the scheme.
For people with permanent hearing impairment, provision of hearing equipment directly related to their hearing loss that is not provided through the Hearing Services Program (HSP) qualifies as an approved support.
People with permanent hearing impairment may also be eligible for assistive technology in specific circumstances.
About 25,000 people with hearing impairment claim NDIS funds.
A key change is the new definition of NDIS supports which makes it clear what NDIS funding can and cannot cover.
From 3 October 2024 participants can only use their NDIS funds for items listed as approved NDIS supports. This follows the passing of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No.1) Bill in Parliament on 22 August 2024.
Approved supports include “the provision of hearing equipment directly related to a participant’s permanent hearing impairment that is not provided through the Hearing Services Program (HSP) for the participant.”
There is also a list of things that NDIS funding cannot cover which include services, items and equipment. These include hearing services or supports provided by the HSP surgical services for hearing.
Replacement rule
A new replacement rule allows a participant to substitute a support that is not an NDIS support in specific cases. For example, supports such as assistive technology may be considered a replacement support for participants in specific circumstances.
There must be clear evidence the need for the item relates specifically to the participant’s impairment which meets disability or early intervention requirements.
“This item must increase whole task independence and reduce or eliminate the need for a support worker or disability specific assistive technology,” the NDIS states.
Foundational Supports are also being developed to provide additional resources outside the NDIS for people with disabilities, their families and carers.
Other changes include new and reviewed plans that show total budget amounts, funding component amounts, and funding periods.
Under the new planning framework, a flexible budget will be determined by a new budget method, informed by a support needs assessment. This will impact participants who have transitioned to new framework plans. Existing participants will transition to new framework plans over time.
Under the framework, participants will undergo a needs assessment which records their whole-of-person disability support needs.
The National Disability Insurance Agency can change people’s management plan type if they need help managing funds.
This raises questions about how the government intends to implement the recommendations of the NDIS Review, which called for pricing to be moved to the Independent Hospital and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA).
Pricing committee established
Minister for the NDIS Mr Bill Shorten also announced on 26 September 2024 that he had established an Independent Pricing Committee to review the scheme’s pricing approaches and recommend changes designed to lead to a higher quality and sustainable disability provider market.
“The NDIS is undergoing its most significant reform in its short history, so it’s only right that we also take a look at the pricing approach as the scheme evolves and we continue to make improvements,” he said.
“This independent committee of experts will ensure the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) board gets the best advice on where and how improvements to NDIS pricing are needed.”
The committee has begun work, aiming to make its first recommendations to the NDIA board by the end of this year, with further recommendations in February 2025. The advice will be used to support development of the 2024-25 Annual Pricing Review.
“People with disability will continue to be included in any reform work and will play a key role in co-designing any changes that may directly impact them,” Shorten said. “The committee will take into account the views of people with disability, providers and unions.
“Pricing is a key piece of the puzzle when it comes to improving the NDIS and making sure it works as well as it can.
“It’s a delicate balance to ensure providers delivering quality supports are paid accordingly and, most importantly, ensuring NDIS participants get value for money when using their plans.
“There needs to be a strong incentive and reward for delivering quality supports that produce meaningful outcomes for participants.”
Price freeze for allied health
Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) said the move raised questions about how the government intended to implement recommendations of the NDIS Review, which called for pricing to be moved to the Independent Hospital and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA).
“Separately, IHACPA has begun early work to investigate NDIS pricing, as committed to in this year’s Federal Budget,” AHPA said. “The costs of providing services, especially for registered providers, are significant and have increased with wage rises and the cost of living, yet most allied health services have endured a price freeze for five years.
“Consequently, providers are stopping or planning to stop their services because they are now operating at a loss and can’t afford to continue.
“Many allied health professionals have been providing unfunded services to support consumers in need. The current unrealistic approach to pricing undermines the ability of registered providers to deliver quality, sustainable disability services.”
AHPA said a step toward an independent pricing approach that meets the cost of providing quality services was welcome but best practice pricing that was truly independent of the NDIA, transparent and accountable was needed for service sustainability and positive consumer health outcomes.
Australians with hearing impairment who receive NDIS support receive the least funds among the top five primary disability groups, an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report found earlier this year. It said 4.3% of about 583,000 active NDIS participants aged under 65 on 30 June 2023 had hearing loss.
For more information see the NDIS website.
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