There’s a lot of information out there about PACE, the NDIA’s new computer system. And while it might seem complicated, we’re here to help make it simple and we’re ready to help everyone navigate the launch of PACE!
Here’s what you need to know right now, if you’re a provider or a participant.
What is PACE for?
PACE is an upgrade to the NDIA’s computer, just like when you update to a better/newer smart phone!
The goal of the new system is to improve the NDIS experience for participants and providers and deliver the best possible support to them, their families and carers.
When will PACE start?
The NDIA expects the rollout of PACE to start at the end of October and take about 18 months to complete.
What do I need to do?
Good news, at the moment there’s nothing your participants need to do. Read on for more information on new and existing participants, as well as what providers need to know.
Existing participants – All new, varied, reset, renewed and reassessed plans from 30th October will be moved to the new PACE system.
Anyone with an existing plan who has a scheduled plan reassessment and does not need any changes to their plan will not transition to PACE until their next scheduled reassessment or if needing a plan change prior.
New participants – from 31st of October all new participants will be set up using the PACE system.
The NDIS will contact you, and we’ll be here providing support and guidance as well, so don’t worry about a thing.
What PACE is NOT changing
PACE isn’t changing everything, with the following staying exactly the same:
- Supports are not changing (although they may have a new name).
- The fundamental structure of NDIS Plans
- Item Support Numbers
- The NDIS Act
- The registration process for providers
- NDIS Commission obligations including Practice Standards
What is PACE changing?
The main changes coming with PACE include some updates to the support types and categories, and to how the NDIA interacts with participants throughout their plan journey.
Please be aware that these changes only apply when the participant is moved onto the PACE system, which will only happen after their next plan assessment.
There are three changes to NDIS support types and support categories
Change 1
For PACE participants the NDIA are introducing a new support type in addition to Core, Capacity and Capital, called Recurring Transport. This will be a self-managed category specifically designed for regular transport payments.
Change 2
They will also be introducing five new categories:
Core supports now includes two new categories:
- Home and living.
- ‘Young people in residential aged care’ (YPIRAC), however, this is an NDIA managed category.
Capital supports includes two new categories:
- Assistive Technology, maintenance, repair and replacement.
- Specialised Disability Accommodation (SDA).
Capacity Building includes one new category:
- Behaviour supports.
Note: The five new categories will be ‘stated supports’ which are funds that are not flexible and cannot be transferred to other supports.
Change 3
The NDIA will also be updating five of the existing category names, these are all under Capacity Building.
- Support coordination is now called Support coordination and psychosocial recovery coach
- Improved relationships is now called Relationships
- Improved health and wellbeing is now called Health and wellbeing
- Improved learning is now called Lifelong learning
- Improved life choices is now called Choice and control.
What are the changes to Plan Management service agreements?
Old process
Plan Tracker has service agreements with participants that detail our responsibilities and commitment as a plan manager.
New PACE process
Under the new PACE system, participants will still have an agreement with us, and they will also need to ‘endorse’ service providers via the NDIA, including plan management and support coordination providers.
This will only need to do be done twice:
- When a participant signs up to plan management and support coordination (one endorsement for each).
- When a participant starts a new plan, they will need to confirm that they want to continue using our services and endorse us again.
We’ll provide more information on this later!
New NDIA changes with PACE
- New annual ‘Participant Check-ins’, where the NDIA will contact participants to see how their plan is going.
- Participants will only need to attend a plan meeting if the new plan is different to their current plan.
- There are new optional plan implementation meetings – these are designed to help get the plan started and make sure it’s working in the right way. These meetings are optional – partcipants can choose whether to attend or not.
More visibility for providers
PACE will make it easier for providers to access a participant’s plan if they have the appropriate consent. Registered providers will be able to view a participant’s goals and nominee details. Plan managers will be able to view the parts of a plan they’re managing.
We’re PACE READY
Keep an eye out for more updates from the NDIA about PACE on the NDIS website www.ndis.gov.au. We’ll be sharing more as the new system rolls out – follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and the NEWS section of your portal.
PACE FAQs for Providers
Will my portal/dashboard look different with PACE?
Yes, you’ll notice some slight formatting changes when you log in to your portal/Dashboard, things like colour and shading.
How will providers know a customer is on PACE?
There are a few ways a provider will be able to identify whether a customer is on PACE.
- You’ll receive an error message when attempting to submit a single claim payment request. The message will advise that the customer has transitioned to the new system and the next steps you need to take.
- Any existing service bookings will be end dated to the previous plan, you can view this in the ‘myplace’ provider portal report function.
- You will no longer be able to create a service booking in the ‘myplace’ provider portal for that customer.
What does removing single claims mean for providers?
As participants and their plans move onto PACE, providers won’t be able to use the single line-item claim function in the ‘myplace’ provider portal.
Claims for PACE participants will need to occur through a bulk upload, which is aimed at reducing transactional requirements for providers. A single line can be submitted in a bulk upload.
All claims will need to be made using the Bulk Payment Request template and submitted in the ‘myplace’ portal – with the same service and support details that are currently used.
Providers should consider adjusting their business practices to submit all single claims via the bulk upload process.
Tip: If providers use the Bulk Payment Request template, they don’t need to know if a participant has an NDIS plan in PACE, because all claims will be made through the ‘myplace’ provider portal.
What is the new request for service process?
Participants can connect with support coordinators by using a request for service through the NDIA. The request for service includes information about the participant’s goals, needs and circumstances.
What are reporting templates?
The NDIA are introducing new reporting templates for support coordinators and psychosocial recovery coaches.
They developed the reporting templates to help standardise provider reports and capture consistent information to help NDIA planners and NDIS partners prepare for check-ins and plan reassessments with participants.
These will now be required to be submitted via the Myplace portal.
What’s the new ‘my NDIS’ provider portal?
The new ‘my NDIS’ provider portal is different to the ‘myplace’ provider portal.
Providers will only need to use the ‘my NDIS’ provider portal if they’re working with a participant who has an NDIS plan in PACE.
Support coordinators and psychosocial recovery coaches who aren’t registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission will need to create a Provider Digital Access (PRODA) account and register their details with the Agency to gain access to the ‘my NDIS’ provider portal.
Before providers can see participant information in the ‘my NDIS’ provider portal, participants will be asked for their consent.
What PACE information sessions are available for providers?
The NDIA is encouraging providers to attend an information session to learn more about PACE and the new ‘my NDIS’ provider portal.
Find and register to attend a PACE information session here.
Have questions?
We’re here for you.
We’re available on Live Chat (bottom right hand corner of this website), email us at hello@plantracker.com.au, or give us a call on 1800 549 670