COVID-19 INFORMATION updated 1st April 2020

Health

What do I do if I think I may have been exposed to COVID-19?
If you are concerned about possible exposure to COVID-19 then please contact the Department of Health Coronavirus hotline on 1800 020 080 or the National Relay Service on 1300 555 727.

As a result of the coronavirus outbreak, vulnerable people can qualify for a bulk-billed videocall with a GP, nurse or mental health practitioner rather than attending their office in person.

If you self-manage, it’s very important for your safety that your staff complete the online COVID-19 Infection Control training module. This can be found on the NDIS quality and safeguard commission website.
 

Plan reviews

We have received many queries about plan reviews.  The NDIA is making some changes to the plan review process. According to their website:

If a participant has a scheduled plan review, the NDIA will now contact them by phone or email to undertake their review.  As part of this plan review process, a participant can discuss having a new plan in place for up to 24 months.

In addition, the NDIA will be making changes to NDIS systems over the weekend (28/29 March) to make sure participants have the funding they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To ensure participants plans don’t end, on the day a plan is due to expire, it will be automatically be extended by 365 days. (Previously these automatic plan extensions were for 28 days.) Participants who have plans that expire soon, do not need to do anything to have their plans automatically extended by 365 days.
 

Changes to provider pricing

To help providers to continue to deliver supports to participants through this time, the NDIA is introducing a number of changes, including:

• An advance payment to registered providers to increase the immediate availability of funds
• A temporary 10 per cent increase to the price limit of some Core and Capacity Building supports
• Changes to the cancellation rules.  NDIS participants will be required to give 10 business days’ notice (up from two days) for a cancellation if they want to avoid paying the full fee for a cancelled service. 
• Introducing three new support coordination items under Core Supports to support plan flexibility

If you are self-managing, you should continue to absorb these costs into your budget.  This means you will drawdown your budget at a faster rate and together we will notify the NDIA that this is happening. 
 

Technology

In many cases we will now need to meet with you using teleconference or video conferencing technology rather than face to face. Our preferred tools are Microsoft Teams or Zoom. When we send you a calendar invite for a meeting it will include a link that you need to click when the meeting starts. If you do not have a computer or tablet, or you prefer voice only, we will simply use the phone for our meeting.
 

Day programs

Most day program providers are changing the services they provide.  If you are aware of changes to your day program provider, please let us know so we can assist you to develop alternative in-home services. 
 

Supermarkets

DO NOT GO to the supermarket if possible.  Please let us know if you are unable to get groceries and we can assist in getting supports to shop for you.

Supermarkets are essential services and will remain open for business no matter how strict the restrictions in place. Supermarkets have introduced additional assistance including priority delivery services for NDIS participants. See the NDIS website for more information.
 

Pharmacies

Pharmacies are essential services and will remain open no matter how strict the restrictions get. Australia Post is now able to make home deliveries from pharmacies. To access this service contact your local pharmacy and request that your medication be delivered.