Federal government launches price review into NDIS
The minister responsible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has announced the federal government will be taking a look at the prices paid for its services.
National
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The federal government is placing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) under a national microscope to analyse and re-evaluate the prices paid for its services.
Today’s announcement of the NDIS Annual Price Review for 2020-21 comes less than a week after NDIS Minister Stuart Robert flagged the agency was being overhauled to get people quicker access.
Mr Roberts conceded the scheme was not living up to expectations at the National Press Club in Canberra on November 14, stating various parliamentary inquiries into the NDIS had revealed major problems with receiving the service.
These included delays in getting to the scheme, case workers being unfamiliar with disabilities and service providers being left to pay their client’s bill.
The NDIS currently has more than 310,000 participants – including 114,000 receiving disability support for the first time – and is expected to have 500,000 added in the next five years.
Mr Roberts said the 2020-21 review would look at price limits and related polices to check whether they are still appropriate in the current market, and recommend changes where necessary.
Prices may also go up after the pricing review.
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“We are calling on participants, their families and carers, providers, peak bodies and community representatives to have their say on NDIS pricing matters, by submitting their feedback through the consultation process,” he said.
“This pricing review is part of our commitment to building confidence and certainty for the provider market, as well as ensuring participants are able to access supports that represent value for money.”
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It will also look at options to reduce administrative costs, improve flexibility for participants and consider the current price control framework, as outlined in the review’s Issues Paper.
On November 14, Mr Robert acknowledged NDIS plan approvals for adults dropped from 130 to 80 days and 140 to 48 days for children.
He estimated the disability sector needed about 17,000 new carers, following government budget data in September revealing a $4.6 billion underspend on the NDIS.
A McKell Institute survey of 771 people with a rare disease and their carers also found more than seven in 10 people with a rare disease reported not having their health and disability care needs met.
Of those who applied for NDIS funding, one in four missed out, with half of the respondents reporting having spent more than $1000 a year on treating their rare disease and some waiting more than 18 months for vital equipment under the NDIS.
The survey also found a high number of people – one in five – experience delays in receiving NDIS support, and one in five said the NDIS made their situation worse.