Combination Plan Management: What is it and how can it help?

Published at 26-02-2024 12:00:00

Combination Plan Management: What is it and how can it help? 

Navigating the different funding management options under the NDIS is one of the very important decisions that participants need to make. One of the flexible and increasingly popular option is combination plan management. This approach combines more than one way for you to manage your plan, it can be a combination of plan management, self management or agency management (NDIA managed). If you would like a recap on the different types of management offered for your NDIS plan, feel free to check out our article here: Understanding the differences between NDIA managed, self-managed, and plan managed.

Let’s take a closer look at combination management and how it could work for you!
 

What is a combination managed NDIS Plan?

Combination management for your NDIS plan means that you can use a different type of management for a different part of your plan. For instance, you might find certain budget categories that you’re comfortable with and would like to manage on your own, so you may choose self-management for these specific categories. However, since self-management can be difficult sometimes and requires a lot of work, you might then choose to delegate a plan manager to manage the rest of your NDIS plan. This approach can significantly lessen the time and effort you need to invest in managing your plan.

This can benefit you if you would like to manage each part of your plan differently, providing you with:

Flexibility: Participants can choose which parts of their plan they feel confident managing themselves and which they would prefer a professional to handle.

Control: Participants can have direct control over certain budget types that they would like to manage themselves. They can also try out different types of management to see which one works best.

Support: For more complex services, a plan manager can provide valuable expertise, reducing the administrative burden and ensuring everything complies with NDIS regulations.

Everyone has different needs and circumstances, the type of funding management you need should reflect what suits you best! If you feel uncertain about this or have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to reach out us at Just Plan Managers!

Self management/ plan management combination

One of the most common combination types is self management combined with plan management. This is because agency management provides the least amount of control and choice and does not allow you to use any providers that are not NDIS registered. Plan management helps you take care of all invoicing and budgeting and can provide you with support and advice too, all at no cost to you!

This option may be suitable for you if:

• You are currently self-managing your plan but it is a lot of work and you would like someone to lighten some parts of the administration for you.
• You would like a plan manager to help you manage your budget and invoicing for you.
• You would like to use a provider but be able to pay them at a higher rate that is above the NDIS price limits. In this case, you could self manage that budget and have your other budgets plan managed.

How to get combination management 

If you would like to get combination management, it is as simple as letting your NDIS planner or your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) know at your next NDIS plan meeting or review! You can also ask them any questions you might have to ensure that you are making a decision that suits your circumstances best. If you have decided you would like to proceed with combination plan management, just let your planner or LAC know which types of management you would like combined, as well we which support budget category will be under which type of management.

Can this be changed?

You will still have the flexibility to adjust how the way your NDIS Plan funding is managed whenever you need to. If there are changes in your circumstances, you can modify your plan management approach to better suit your new situation. We understand this can sometimes be a bit confusing and these decisions can be difficult, if you would like to know a bit more or have any questions, we would love to help you out!

Get in touch

We understand this can sometimes be a bit confusing and these decisions can be difficult, if you would like to know a bit more or have any questions, we would love to help you out! Call us on 1300 217 037 or email us at info@justplanmanagers.com.au and our friendly team will get back to you in no time.