We are PACE-ready!
Have you heard about PACE, the new NDIA system? At Shoalhaven Plan Management, we want to ensure our clients are fully equipped for the PACE journey!
On this page, we’ll discuss what PACE is all about and address some questions for NDIS participants and service providers.
What is PACE and its purpose?
PACE is an upgrade from the NDIA’s older system, designed to enhance the NDIS experience for participants, providers, and their families.
What is NOT changing:
While PACE brings updates, some things remain untouched.
Your supports stay the same, but some may have new names.
The fundamental structure of NDIS Plans, Item Support Numbers, the NDIS Act, the provider registration process, and NDIS Commission obligations all remain intact.
What IS changing:
The key changes include updates to support types, categories and how the NDIA interacts with participants throughout their plan journey.
New Support Types and Categories
1
Recurring Transport has been introduced as a new support type, in addition to Core, Capacity and Capital. This is a self-managed category specifically designed for regular transport payments.
2
Five additional categories have been introduced that will be ‘stated supports’, which are funds that are not flexible and cannot be transferred to other supports.
Core supports now includes two new categories:
- Home and living
- Young people in residential aged care (YPIRAC), however, this is an NDIA-managed category
Capital supports includes two new categories:
- Assistive Technology, maintenance, repair and replacement
- Specialised Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Capacity Building includes one new category:
- Behaviour supports
3
Five existing category names under Capacity Building are also being updated.
- Support coordination -> Support coordination and psychosocial recovery coach
- Improved relationships -> Relationships
- Improved health and wellbeing -> Health and wellbeing
- Improved learning -> Lifelong learning
- Improved life choices -> Choice and control
Changes to Plan Management Service Agreements
While you’ll still have a service agreement with us, you’ll need to ‘endorse’ service providers via the NDIA (which includes plan management and support coordination providers). This simply tells the NDIA that you’re choosing Shoalhaven Plan Management to manage your plan.
There are two ways a participant or nominee can endorse Shoalhaven Plan Management:
- Via “My NDIS contact” – could be a Local Area Coordinator or Planner
Contact your Local Area Coordinator/Planner to advise that you would like to endorse Shoalhaven Plan Management as your plan manager.
- Via the NDIA
Contact the NDIA National Call Centre on 1800 800 110 and advise that you would like to endorse Shoalhaven Plan Management as your plan manager.
Here’s an example of what to say when endorsing us:
Hello,
I am calling to endorse a plan manager for my current plan.
I’m a [participant/plan nominee] and my NDIS number is [your NDIS number].
I believe my plan is on the PACE system, so I would like to endorse Shoalhaven Plan Management as my ongoing plan manager for my NDIS plan. Shoalhaven Plan Management’s registration number is 4050070188.
Please endorse Shoalhaven Plan Management from [plan start date], which is the start date of my current plan.
May I confirm with you that the endorsement is complete?
Once confirmed, you’re all set!
Endorsement can only be done by the participant, their nominee, or their guardian. As a support coordinator, you cannot endorse providers on your participant’s behalf.
If you are already with Shoalhaven Plan Management and starting a new plan, your NDIS contact will call you before your plan’s end date and you will need to advise that you’d like to endorse us as your plan manager.
New NDIA Changes
- Introduction of annual ‘Participant Check-ins’ – the NDIA will contact you to check if you’re happy with your plan.
- Plan meetings are only required if your new plan differs from your current one.
- Optional plan implementation meetings for getting started on your plan.
More visibility for providers
With PACE, it will be easier for providers to access a participant’s plan if they have the appropriate consent. Registered providers will be able to view a participant’s goals and nominee details. Plan managers will be able to view the parts of a plan they’re managing.
Make the switch to Shoalhaven Plan Management
The process is quick and easy! No need to wait until the end of your plan.
If you have any further questions about PACE, please get in touch! Our team will be happy to help guide you.
