Price Guide COVID normal update
The NDIA have released a Price Guide update, effective 1 March 2021. The update is a response to a review of the temporary measures put in place during COVID-19. The NDIA has considered what is required to safely deliver services and supports in a ‘COVID normal’ situation.
Below is a summary of the updates.
Changes
Support coordination
The temporary support measures put in place to give participants access to support coordination through their core budget will end on 31 March. The following duplicated line items will not be available after this date:
01_790_0106_8_3 - Level 1: Support Connection
01_791_0106_8_3 - Level 2: Coordination Of Supports
01_794_0132_8_3 - Level 3: Specialist Support Coordination.
Participants can access support coordination in their Capacity Building supports budget only if they have a reasonable and necessary need for it.
The NDIA initially announced this measure would end on 28 February, giving 2 days’ notice about the change. There was an uproar about this in the disability sector, as it gave Support Coordinators and participants no time to transition. After pressure from the sector, the NDIA moved the end date to the 31 March. There is still some discontent about this decision. Many people believe there should be ongoing fund flexibility.
PPE for participants and providers
Only participants and providers in Victoria can still claim for PPE since the state has a public order in place. PPE can only be claimed when supports are delivered in person. The price providers can claim has reduced from $50 per participant per worker per day to $27.
Deactivated support line items
Some legacy items have been deactivated to simplify the Support Catalogue. Replacement items are listed in the Support Catalogue.
Extensions
Supported independent living (SIL)
Cleaning services and additional supports are still available for participants living in SIL arrangements who:
have been diagnosed with COVID-19
are required to self-isolate or quarantine
are in isolation waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test or due to measures taken by the government.
These 2 support items will be available nationally until 30 June 2021.
Deep cleaning
Participants can still access a one-time deep clean cost when a support worker who has visited their home has received a positive COVID-19 diagnoses. This will be available nationally until 30 June 2021.
Ongoing measures
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Low-cost assistive technology (AT)
In April 2020, the NDIA implemented measures allowing participants to more flexibly use their funding to buy low cost AT. The NDIA will be leaving this measure in place across Australia. For a recap of what this measure covers, check out our blog from last year.
To read the full Price Guide and access more details on these updates, head to the NDIS website.
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