Speak Out December 2019 V2 DIGITAL EDITION

in practice

Information for participants Information about the options, dependent on where participants are up to in the planning cycle, include the following: “You can use your unspent core supports budget in your NDIS plan to flexibly purchase disability-related health supports (with the exception of Assistive Technology valued over $1500). Alternatively, you can continue to receive support from your State and Territory health

To be able to acquire disability-related low cost AT or consumable items participants must have at least $1 in their consumables budget. This allows them to use their budget flexibly to access their core support budget to purchase low cost AT and/or consumable items. The ability to pay for disability-related therapy and nursing health supports from a participant’s core support budget will cease when participant plan reviews are completed. At this time, these supports will revert to only being accessible through a participant’s capacity building budget. The NDIA will provide further information when this arrangement is due to end. The NDIA is monitoring participant plans to determine when plan reviews may be required and prioritising these as needed. Participants can also request an earlier plan review if they determine their funds may be exhausted prior to their next scheduled plan review. Disability related health supports For speech pathologists, the relevant disability health related supports which are now included are: • Development, implementation and periodic review of a meal time management plan by a NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent clinician. • Implementation of a meal time management plan by a NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent worker. • Development, implementation and periodic review of an oral eating and drinking care plan (OEDCP) by an NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent clinician. • Implementation of an oral eating and drinking care plan (OEDCP) by a NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent worker. • Training of a NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent worker to implement the meal time management plan and OEDCP. • Swallowing therapy associated with dysphagia provided by a NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent worker. • Consumables such as thickeners to enable a participant to swallow more easily and reduce their risk of aspiration/ choking. The Association has developed a support catalogue with relevant support items highlighted that you can access on the NDIS page of the SPA website. The supports mention both Oral Eating and Drinking Care Plans and Mealtime Management Plans. It is the understanding of the Association that the NDIA sees the former as a programme aiming to achieve change in function, while the latter provides guidance and direction to a paid or unpaid person providing participants with individual support to eat at mealtimes; the use of either should be accepted.

service and inform them you are an NDIS participant. Your health service will offer support to escalate your needs with the NDIA or support you to seek a plan review.”

Information about how the transition will work

"Depending on your situation, the way you can access disability-related health supports immediately may be different. If a participant already has disability-related health supports included in their NDIS plan there is no change – they will continue to purchase theses supports as usual. If you have recently become eligible for the NDIS, or if your plan is being reviewed, additional disability-related health supports can now be included in your plan, if deemed reasonable and necessary. Once you have these supports included in your plan, you will be able to purchase these supports like any other item you have in your plan. Existing NDIS participants who need to add these supports into their plan do not need to request an unscheduled plan review to begin accessing disability- related health supports. If you already have a NDIS plan, you have two options: You can use your unspent core supports budget in your NDIS plan to flexibly purchase (disability-related health supports) with the exception of Assistive Technology valued over $1500. Supports can only be purchased this way until you have a plan review. At your plan review, you will discuss your needs and if reasonable and necessary, funds for disability-related health supports will be included in your plan. Continue to receive support from your State and Territory health service and inform them you are an NDIS participant. Your health service will offer support to escalate your needs with the NDIA or support you to seek a plan review. This will help you get supports included in your plan quicker and allow you to choose the providers you want to deliver these services." When it is time for your plan review, you can discuss your need for these supports and they will be included in your plan if they are reasonable and necessary. Providing information for participants If your participant asks you for information, clarification or support you should direct them to either their LAC or Service Coordinator - if the participant doesn’t have capacity to do this, and you are included as a provider who is able to discuss and access their plan, they are the best first port of call for information about what options are available for a participant.

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December 2019 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speak Out