PACE – Insight PBS Participants
The NDIA have made a significant change to the way providers claim for services and the way participants control their funds. This change has been a long time coming and it has now kicked off.
There are 3 ways claims are managed for services under a persons NDIS plan. Invoices are paid by the following methods:
- Self managed funds- The participant or nominee arranges payment of invoices directly from their personal accounts directly to the provider. Much the same as you pay your own personal bills like phone or water. Provider invoices are uploaded to the NDIA by the individual, and the NDIA pay the money needed directly to the participant/nominee’s account to manage the payment. Noting we do not accept self managed funds at Insight PBS. This decision was made due to historical issues we encountered in recovering payments, so it’s important to understand why we do not accept self-managed fund referrals.
- Plan Managed funds- The participant or nominee has a chosen plan manager who manages the funds and pays the invoices. The plan manager and the provider directly manage this process. This takes a lot of pressure off the participant, and nominee as this is all handled externally and is a popular choice for many. They do pay yearly fees for this service; however, some people prefer more choice and control over their funds, so this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea
- NDIA Managed funds. This is where a change has occurred.
Previously, NDIA-managed funds meant that we created a Service Booking in the NDIA provider portal (Proda). Invoices are submitted via accounts through the portal, and payment is made to the provider. Service bookings allowed us to ensure funds were available; we could quarantine these funds for practitioners to use throughout the life of the NDIS plan.
The NDIA has decided to move away from Service Bookings. All participants with funding via a service booking have now been transitioned to a new system called PACE. They expected this move to be completed by the end of February 2024, and it is almost completed for all participants now.
What is changing?
The introduction of PACE will alter the way providers invoice for NDIS-funded services. It requires providers to use the new PACE payment system and My NDIS Provider Portal, which will replace the current online system and MyPlace Portal. The rollout of these new systems began on October 30, 2023, and is projected to conclude by February 2024.
Will my plan need to be reviewed?
Your current plans will carry on as usual and PACE won’t affect the dates of your NDIS plan. Once you get a new plan, you’ll automatically be included in the PACE system with your updated PACE plan.
What happens with my providers?
You can stick with the providers you already have. Managed participants are not required to document their providers for support if they prefer not to. Now, you have the option to authorise providers to access specific sections of your plan instead of the entire plan. This allows you to decide when and what budget information, goals, and funded supports you want them to see in order for them to provide better support.
What are Endorsements?
The participant and/ or nominee controls PACE. A person MUST endorse a provider in their own personal PRODA to allow invoices to be paid by the NDIA. If the provider is not endorsed (set up on their proda) invoices will not be paid. As a provider we have no control or oversight over this process, all we can do is provide the information needed to endorse the company to the individual and get them to set it up. The information required to endorse also includes the signed service agreement as evidence for service.
Support coordinators are across this process and will be assisting participants with the endorsements. If you have any participants without a support coordinator they will need to contact the NDIA for assistance in setting up their providers for PACE.
How can I help so my file doesn't get suspended and Insight gets endorsed?
As the main contact for your participants file you will be in regular contact with the key stakeholders. More so than admin or accounts. ALL the information needed to endorse a provider will be in the comms from admin which you will be cc’d into. As well as the email I sent back in February which gives the details of how a participant endorses a provider. You can assist by having these conversations with the key people and letting them know work on their file may be suspended/ on hold until this is resolved. This negatively effects all parties so early resolution is critical.
You will be made aware from admin should any of your files be affected by PACE endorsement delays.
How does a participant endorse a provider?
There are two ways a participant or nominee can endorse a provider:
- Contact the NDIA National Call Centre on 1800 800 110 and advise that they would like to endorse the provider.
- Contact their Local Area Coordinator to advise that they would like to endorse the provider.
Our administration team hold the information needed for the business to be endorsed. If you have any support coordinators, nominees or participants asking for this please forward the email to support@insightpbs.com.au and we will be able to assist. Noting we cannot endorse ourselves; we can only give them the information they need to complete this step themselves.
It is really important to note any files with significant delays (the participant or nominee is not endorsing us) can possibly be suspended until this is rectified. We cannot continue to invoice over a period of time where invoices remainoutstanding. These need to be resolved as quickly as possible to ensure services can continue.
If you have any questions, queries or concerns about dealing with PACE, please do not hesistate to contact us. You can call us on 1300 824 930, or fill out the contact form via the button below. We will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.
Our Services
Insight PBS does one thing – Behaviour Support!
We deliver the many important facets of Behaviour Support:
Functional Behaviour Assessment
Our practitioners follow the Insight PBS Process to develop a thorough understanding of behaviour and underlying causes.
Development of PBS Strategies
Evidence has shown that positive and proactive strategies do more to promote higher levels of quality of life in all people involved.
Facilitate Care Team Meetings
Insight PBS ensure that our supports are effective and efficient by regularly meeting with all stakeholders.
Restrictive Practice Assessment
Insight PBS can conduct assessment and work with all stakeholders to ultimately reduce and eliminate restrictive practices.
Staff Training and Support
We work with all carers and support workers to address the most important factors. Our goal is to improve Quality of Life for all in care team.
Behaviour Support Plans
Insight PBS develop interim and comprehensive Behaviour Support Plans to support proactive and positive strategies, and meet NDIS Commission requirements.
Why Choose Insight
Evidence based practice
We look to the latest research and best practice standard to develop and implement strategies.
Shorter waiting periods
We are constantly trying to reduce our waiting times. Depending on the area, our wait lists range between 4 and 12 weeks. Please visit here to view our wait times.
Efficient use of funds
All funds will be used efficiently in the delivery of service.
Effective implementation
Our practitioners work with the participant and their carers in order to identify the best suited strategies and the best way to implement them.
Reliable Practitioners
We aim to deliver best practice, prompt engagement and genuine interest in the participants and carers’ wellbeing.
Data informed decision -making
Implementation of strategies are monitored in an effective way in order to track changes and effectiveness.
Other Services
Psychology
Insight PBS also runs a sister organisation, Bridging Psychology. Visit the website below to learn about all our Psychology service offerings.
Online Training
Insight PBS creates and runs PD-certified training for health professionals and carers on many behaviour support topics.
In-Person Training
Insight PBS facilitates in-person behaviour support training at your business location! Click the button below to learn more.
FAQ
What is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?
Positive behaviour support is a way of working with people with mental illness and disabilities to improve their life with positive strategies and by addressing challenging behaviours.
Positive Behaviour Support, or Specialist Behaviour Intervention Support, involves intervening to improve a person’s life, particularly where they have been showing challenging behaviours.
How can Positive Behaviour Support help me with the Behaviours of Concern?
Positive behaviour support focuses on understanding why a person is behaving they way they are (Behaviour of Concern) in this way and working out how the person’s needs can be met without using challenging behaviours.
Positive behaviour support might help by:
- Helping the person be understood through learning communication strategies
- Changing aspects of the person’s environment, i.e. in their home to make them feel at ease
- Improving the person’s lifestyle to add community connections, and ensure they have access to activities that they find fun
- Ensuring the person has meaningful and positive relationships with others
- Providing an encouraging, fun and understanding support environment
How often do behaviour support plans need to be reviewed?
At a minimum, any behaviour support plan that contains a regulated restrictive practice needs to be reviewed every 12 months or earlier if the participant’s circumstances change.
Who are NDIS Registered Behaviour Support Practitioners?
NDIS behaviour support practitioners are practitioners the Commissioner of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission considers suitable. Specialist behaviour support providers are required to notify the NDIS Commission about their behaviour support practitioners. Practitioners are considered provisionally suitable pending their assessment against the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework.
What are the regulated restrictive practices?
There are five categories of regulated restrictive practices that are monitored by the NDIS Commission. These are the following:
- Seclusion – the sole confinement of a person with disability in a room or a physical space at any hour of the day or night where voluntary exit is prevented, or not facilitated, or it is implied that voluntary exit is not permitted.
- Chemical restraint – the use of medication or chemical substance for the primary purpose of influencing a person’s behaviour. It does not include the use of medication prescribed by a medical practitioner for the treatment of, or to enable treatment of, a diagnosed mental disorder, a physical illness or a physical condition.
- Mechanical restraint – the use of a device to prevent, restrict, or subdue a person’s movement for the primary purpose of influencing a person’s behaviour but does not include the use of devices for therapeutic or non-behavioural purposes.
- Physical restraint – the use or action of physical force to prevent, restrict or subdue movement of a person’s body, or part of their body, for the primary purpose of influencing their behaviour. Physical restraint does not include the use of a hands-on technique in a reflexive way to guide or redirect a person away from potential harm/injury, consistent with what could reasonably be considered the exercise of care towards a person.
- Environmental restraint – which restrict a person’s free access to all parts of their environment, including items or activities.
The Regulated Restrictive Practices Guide outlines NDIS providers’ obligations when implementing regulated restrictive practices.
Latest Blog topics
Understanding Triggers
Behaviours of concern are never random—they’re responses to specific triggers. By understanding the fast triggers (immediate events) and slow triggers (background conditions) that prompt these behaviours, support workers can develop more effective strategies. This article explores how identifying triggers reveals the function of behaviour, whether seeking attention, avoiding discomfort, accessing desired activities, or meeting sensory needs. With this knowledge, support workers can create environments that address underlying needs rather than simply responding to behaviours.
How to submit a Reportable Incident (NDIS)
What is a Reportable Incident? For an incident to be reportable, a certain act or event needs to have happened (or be alleged to have happened) in connection with the provision of supports or services. This includes: the death of a person with disability serious...
What is the PBS Process?
Insight PBS, a leading NDIS provider servicing Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, and South Australia, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals through our Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) plans and services. At the heart of Insight...
What is an Interim/Initial Behaviour Support Plan?
When it comes to supporting participants with complex needs, especially where restrictive practices are involved, an Interim Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) serves as a crucial, short-term strategy to ensure immediate safety and well-being. These plans are essential when...
What is a Functional Behaviour Assessment?
At Insight PBS, we understand that behaviours of concern often arise for complex reasons. To truly support individuals and improve their quality of life, it’s essential to uncover the “why” behind these behaviours. This is where a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA)...
What is a Behaviour Support Assessment?
We take a deep dive into understanding what a Behaviour Support Assessment is, when and where it is relevant to use, and how Insight PBS practitioners utilise it during our service delivery.
Summary: Australia’s new National Autism Strategy
Here’s our summary of this week’s release of the National Autism Strategy
Assessment Explainer: AQoL
What is the AQoL Assessment and Why is It Important? When it comes to understanding and improving quality of life, the AQoL (Assessment of Quality of Life) is an invaluable tool. This scientifically validated resource goes beyond assessing just physical health,...
The Window of Tolerance
Discover how the Window of Tolerance helps manage stress and build resilience. Learn practical tips to keep you within your own window.
Self-managed Participants and Insight PBS Services
At Insight PBS, we recognise that individuals on the NDIS manage their funding differently, including self-managed, plan-managed, and NDIA-managed options. Each type of funding offers varying levels of flexibility and control, allowing participants to choose what...