We care, we understand, we make a difference

The CEO of Prudent Plan Management, Jane Hadrill, had owned and operated a successful accounting business for 15 years. A tax client asked if we could help with managing her son’s NDIS plan – we said we’ve never done that before but we could see the clear link between accounting and plan management so we said yes.  We learnt a lot in a short time – applying fresh perspectives through our accounting eyes

All of our plan managers have extensive experience within the disability sector. Here at Prudent Plan Management we are passionate about making a difference. That means that we are vitally interested in everything related to the NDIS including the history of the scheme.  Because the scheme is so new, there are constant changes to the guidelines and policies, which require thought and consideration as to how best to apply them.

At the end of the day, we need to be able to reconcile the monies that we draw down from participants’ plans, to the invoices that we pay. Being a Fellow Certified Practising Accountant (FCPA), having run a successful accounting business for 15 years, and having an auditor heading up the finance team, means that we apply the highest standards of financial management.

As well as the NDIS principles of ‘choice and control’ and ‘value for money’, Prudent also upholds the CPA Code of Ethics, including acting in the public interest, managing conflicts of interest, and objectivity and independence. These values are key to providing plan management services.

Prudent represents the way we work and plan management. We are the managers of Federal Government funding. It is essential that we understand the NDIS rules, can apply them judiciously, always trying to do the best for the participants, yet still making sure we are within the NDIA guidelines. Prudent – acting with care and thought for the future.

The financial side of an NDIS plan can be managed in three ways: Agency managed, meaning that the NDIA pays directly for the support you receive; Self-managed, meaning that you pay invoices for supports your receive; or Plan managed, meaning a plan manager pays invoices. A good plan manager does much more than just pay invoices, they interpret the Price Guide, monitor funding levels and liaise with providers. This is what Prudent Plan Management does.

Over 48% of all NDIS participants now choose plan management as being the best option for them.  A benefit of plan management is that you can choose the provider who is right for you, whether they are registered or not registered. You’ll also have ongoing support to make decisions and you’ll be able to discuss your plan with an experienced plan manager.

Briefly, the NDIS provides support to people with disability and their families and carers.  The NDIS has a federal minister called the “Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme” who works alongside their state and territory “Ministers for Disability”.  People have been working towards the introduction of the NDIS since 2007 based on the idea that the disability sector needed reform to shift from a welfare system to a planned and fully funded scheme that would create sustained, significant long term improvements for people with disability. The NDIS was introduced by the Gillard Labor Government on 1 July 2013, beginning with a trial phase and followed by rollouts across the states and territories with full implementation of the scheme achieved when Western Australia joined the NDIS on 1 July 2018.  This means that the NDIS is a relatively new scheme for Australians with a lot of confusing and difficult to understand information.

Prudent Plan Management is person-centred. We aim to talk to all of our new participants so we can get to know them, make sure they understand what we do, and let them know they can call us at any time. We know who you are and we care about you.

We back that up by having a dedicated calls team, and promise that we will call back by close of the next business day.
Whenever necessary we will travel to meet participants.

We are passionate about assisting participants to exercise choice and control to get the most out of their NDIS funds. This includes applying the latest changes to the guidelines and policies to make sure we are paying correctly, providing advice to a participant about what they can and can’t buy with their funds, and liaising with providers so they understand what the NDIA requirements are.

Prudent also monitors and advises under utilisation of funds and budget exhaustion, and offers budgeting services to ensure that an even spend of funds can occur over the year.

At Prudent Plan Management, we are passionate about providing a person-centred support meaning we always take the time to listen to our participants and providers. We know how important it is to be able to talk to the same person, so the plan managers at Prudent welcome your phone calls. If they are unable to take the call, they will phone you back by close of the next business day. 

We triage all invoices that we receive to prioritise those important products to ensure there are no delays to participants (eg continence and assistive technology products). Reimbursements to participants are at the top of the list of payments, as well as those hardworking sole traders and small businesses who rely on a fast payment turnaround. Finally, bigger providers are always paid well within the due date of their invoices.  Should payment problems arise, we are committed to working with participants and providers to resolve them as fast as possible.

• We are person-centred and always available to talk to our participants. You can talk to the same person every time you call us. We will do the research, find the right answer, and respond in a timely fashion.
• We really enjoy building relationships with our participants, and listen carefully so we know how to help.
• We are passionate about the NDIS and make sure we are up to date with all of the changes so participants can get the most out of their plans.
• NDIS plans can be confusing, and often don’t specifically state what types of supports are able to be purchased. We are available to talk to you anytime about supports you would like to receive, but are not sure if you can access them.
• We carefully consider all participants’ requests. We take time to research what is and isn’t within the NDIA guidelines, and provide participants with current and correct options to utilise their NDIS plan funds.
• We manage the challenges of an NDIS plan with you. This includes funding being insufficient for some supports. In order to avoid this, we monitor both overspend and underutilisation of funds to get the best outcome for you.
• Our plan managers look at each invoice received to make sure it meets the requirements of the NDIA.  We have a rigorous internal audit program.
• We provide ongoing budgeting supports – in person, via zoom or on the phone. We care about our participants and
• We provide clear and easy to understand monthly statements. You can also track funds, approve invoices, store and share NDIS documents, and find service providers via our Passport app.