NDIA rolls out new pricing changes

NDIA rolls out new pricing changes | Insurance Business Australia

Life & Health

Review sets stage for major reforms in disability support services

Life & Health

By
Roxanne Libatique

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has disclosed new pricing for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), anticipating broader reforms intended to bolster the NDIS provider market.

The NDIA released its Annual Pricing Review (APR) for 2023/24, setting the maximum price limits for services provided to NDIS participants by health professionals and providers.

implementing the Fair Work Commission’s wage and superannuation increases to ensure fair worker compensation;
raising price limits for supports governed by the NDIS Disability Support Worker Cost Model, including Level 1 support coordination, to reflect the wage changes from the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review;
increasing price limits for psychologists, nurses, and other supports in line with wage and cost of living increases;
keeping current pricing for therapy (excluding psychologists) and support coordination levels 2 and 3; and
adjusting the short-notice cancellation period for non-disability support worker-related supports to two business days to better align with market practices.

The APR consultation was conducted alongside the comprehensive NDIS Review and Disability Royal Commission, both of which are expected to lead to significant reforms in disability support in Australia.

National Disability Insurance Scheme pricing structure review

In the upcoming months, the NDIA will engage an independent expert to review the NDIS pricing structure ahead of the next APR.

The agency plans to introduce a new pricing model by 2025 to ensure the market can sustain the diverse needs of NDIS participants and the scheme’s long-term viability.

Throughout the NDIS pricing review, the agency said it will collaborate with providers to ensure they have the necessary information, support, and resources to continue delivering vital services to participants. This includes the new “Quality Supports” program, which will see the agency directly commission providers to deliver quality services to participants at risk of not receiving needed supports.