An NDIS plan can have a hugely positive impact on a person’s life, but only if they’re working with the right NDIS plan manager.
Once you begin your search for a plan manager, you’ll quickly discover that there are many options available to you. While trying to select the right one for your needs can be a little overwhelming at first, keep in mind that with a little forethought and consideration, you can sift through the myriad options and choose the plan management services that offer the full range of benefits provided by NDIS.
In this post, we’ll run through some of the primary considerations to keep in mind when searching for an NDIS plan manager in the Central Coast.
What is NDIS Plan Management?
There’s more than one way to manage an NDIS plan. You can do this by yourself (self-managed), NDIA-managed, or plan-managed. Most people find that the NDIS plan management option is the easiest since it can help manage the NDIS budget, increase the options of NDIS providers, help individuals manage their own affairs, and much more.
Ultimately, working with an NDIS plan manager just makes things easier, providing the perfect balance between support and independence.
What to look for in a plan manager?
As we’ve said, there’s no shortage of NDIS plan managers to choose from on the Central Coast. The starting point for selecting the right one is to understand the qualities that you should be looking for in a plan manager. You’ll be working closely with your plan manager, so it’s essential that they are:
- Trustworthy: Do you feel comfortable speaking with the plan manager? Do you trust that they can manage your plan effectively?
- Supportive: NDIS plan managers do more than provide administrative help. They should genuinely care about you and want you to make the most of your journey with NDIS.
- Experts: the NDIS world can be difficult to navigate. Your chosen plan manager should have a deep understanding of how all aspects of NDIS work.
How to choose the right plan manager?
Information is paramount when you’re selecting someone to be your plan manager. You’ll be much more likely to make the right decision if you have a full picture of how the plan manager operates, their experience, and how they specifically help you.
Arguably just as important as these considerations is the level of trust you feel with the plan manager. Ultimately, you’ll build a close relationship, so it’s essential that you have a good sense that they can become a trusted partner moving forward.
What questions to ask?
As we said above, information is key. Your prospective plan manager should provide a wealth of information about the services that they provide, but remember you can always ask your own questions too. Below are some of the key questions to get answers to before you make your decision.
- Can you provide assistance on what I can and cannot claim for?
- How much experience do you have?
- How much time should I expect to wait to be paid?
- How can I contact you? Can I call you?
- Who makes the decisions on what you will pay for me? Is it you or me?
Any reputable plan manager will provide up-front answers to these questions and more. If they’re ducking and diving, then it’s probably best to continue your search.
Other decisions you need to make that might influence your choice include:
Where They’re Located
Your plan manager will need to be registered on the Central Coast. But beyond that, it’s not overly important since you don’t need to see your plan manager in person; you can do it all over the phone or online.
Are They Easily Reachable?
This might not be critical to some people, but if you’re someone who likes a personal touch, then you’ll be happier knowing that you can always reach your plan manager when you need to.
What Do You Want From Your Plan Manager?
Some plan managers just do some light admin work. Others offer real value by helping you to understand your plan and how to get the most from it.
Who we help
Here at Symmetri Plan Managers, NDIS plan management is our area of expertise. We’re here to help NDIS participants get the most from their plans by providing expert management of funds and helping to find the best providers. We also work with support coordinators, planners, and NDIS providers. To get started, simply get in touch with us to see how we can help.