E-Blast: QDN Member Update
There are a number of policy updates that we wish to inform our members about in relation to the NDIS, which come into effect from 1 July 2019. While we attempt to keep members updated with the most current information, there is revised information coming through regularly. We commit to keeping members informed as new information becomes available.
2019 2020 Price Guide Released
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) have released the new Price Guides, which will come into effect on 1 July, 2019. All states, territories and remote areas will now have a single Price Guide which is now called a Support Catalogue. There are also some additional rules and we have detailed what is in the new Price Guide here.
How the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and health services will work together
At the COAG meeting on 28 June 2019, the Commonwealth Minister for NDIS and State and Territory Ministers have agreed to maintain a strong focus on improving the operation, transparency and governance of the NDIS. The Council resolved a number of long-standing issues, including the interaction of the NDIS with the health system. The Council agreed to a range of disability-related health supports that will be provided through the NDIS. The approach agreed by the Council to fund disability-related health supports under the NDIS recognises participants need to be placed at the centre of all decisions. See the full communique here for further information: https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/06_2019/communique-drc-28-june-2019.pdf.
NDIS participants may need regular and ongoing disability-related health supports as a regular part of their life to support them to undertake activities of daily living. The NDIS will fund specific disability-related health supports where the supports are a regular part of the participant’s daily life, and result from the participant’s disability. For more information on what the NDIS will fund in relation to health-related supports click here: https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/06_2019/attachment-drc-communique-fact-sheet-health-related-supports.pdf
Important information for service users of the Queensland Community Care Program
The NDIS is now available across Queensland. As a result, from 1 July 2019 the Queensland Community Care Program (QCC) will be replaced by the Queensland Community Support Scheme (QCSS). The Queensland Community Support Scheme (QCSS) is a new scheme that provides supports to people who, with a small amount of assistance, can maintain or regain their independence, continue living safely in their homes, and actively participate in their communities.
Many people have moved to the NDIS, but others may be experiencing delays. For this reason, the Department of Communities, Disability and Seniors will ensure existing QCC clients at 30 June 2019 will continue to receive their service under the new QCSS.
If you are eligible for the NDIS in the future, you will transition to the national scheme at this time.
Existing QCC Program service users do not need to test their eligibility with the NDIS to transition to the new Queensland Community Support Scheme.
Click here for further information on the QCSS and how QDN can assist people in the transition to the new QCSS or the NDIS until 30 September 2019.
Additional Pricing Information on Assistive Technology
The NDIA has updated information on Assistive Technology and the related benchmarking pricing. In Summary:
- All AT items costing over $1,500 are quotable
- In many cases, only one quote will be required for AT supply (particularly when it is valued under $15,000)
- ‘Daily Adaptive Equipment’ has been renamed ‘Low Cost AT’ and expanded to seven codes covering the most common registration groups for claiming where a participant has their ‘Low Cost AT’ funds managed by the Agency
- A list of AT items for decommissioning has been created
You can view the full Assistive Technology and Consumables Guide here.
Information and Referral support from 1 July 2019
The NDIS commences full roll out in Queensland from 1 July, 2019 and services provided under Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) will commence. Due to a change to our funding for 2019-2020, QDN is no longer funded to provide individual information and referral services, but continues to be funded for systemic advocacy and big-picture policy work.
For further information on information and referral services see the following Queensland government website: https://www.qld.gov.au/disability or phone: 13 74 68.
NDIS made easier for children under six
Recently the new NDIS Minister, Stuart Robert has pledged children up to six years old will get access to NDIS plans within 50 days of being deemed eligible for the NDIS. Click here to read more.