Workshop Agenda

Considerations for hearing services in the NDISAugust and September 2015

9.00am Arrival: Tea and coffee

9.30am Welcome and introduction: Background and context

9.45am Overview of the key areas of work required to support transition: 12 areas identified by stakeholders

10.30am BREAK

10.50am GROUP DISCUSSIONSDiscussion on areas of work: To ensure the planning for transition takes into account the diverse needs and issues we want to understand what are your needs as the NDIS is rolled out and what are your concerns?Understand current experience:To ensure we move forward in a way that builds on what works, we want to understand what works well now and why and what needs to or could change and how could this work?To make sure we get communication and engagement right:What information do you need to support you through change? When do you need it? From who and what is the best way to communicate?

12.00 Feedback from each Group to Workshop participants

12.25 Closing remarks and next steps

12.30 CLOSE

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Transition of eligibleVoucher and CSO clients to the NDIS:

background and context

NDIS Transition Planning Workshops Tracey Duffy, National Manager, Office of Hearing Services, Dept of Health

August - September 2015

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How did we get to where we are today? 1

• 2013: Government decision - Hearing Services Program in scope of NDIS

• The Hearing Services program is only one of sixteen programmes transitioning in whole or in-part: – Better Start– Helping Children with Autism– Mental Health (PHaMs, PIR, D2D)– Hearing Services

• While most other Commonwealth programmes closing – Hearing Services Program will continue

How did we get to where we are today?

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The National Disability Insurance Scheme

• Based on insurance principles– Understand lifetime costs– Fully fund reasonable and necessary needs

• Complement and supplement other schemes or responsibilities (eg: health, education)

• Continually monitor impacts• Individuals have choice and control• Providers encouraged to innovate

• Funded from Medicare levy, Budget, Programmes rolling into NDIS

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Access to NDIS

To access the NDIS people must be:• under 65 years of age

AND• have a disability resulting from an impairment that is, or is likely to

be permanent and:– that impairment stops them from doing everyday things for

themselves (reduced functional capacity)

OR– if support is provided now it will reduce their need for support in

the future

OR– the person is aged under 6 years old with development delay.

AND• be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or hold a special

category visa

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NDIS Eligibility

Disability requirements

To access assistance from the NDIS a person must: Have a permanent impairment that has

• a significant impact on everyday life and • on the person’s ability to participate in the community. supports.

Need ongoing supports.

Early intervention requirements

To meet the early intervention requirements a person must: Have an impairment that is, or is likely to be permanent

AND There is evidence that receiving supports now (early intervention)

will help:• reduce the level of support needed now and in the future OR• assist their family and carer to keep providing support

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Early intervention objectives

• Early intervention is particularly focused on children

• Investment in early intervention is a key feature of the Scheme. Access to early intervention support will aim to:– Increase functional capacity– Reduce the impact of disability– Help maintain independence– Increase opportunity for social, economic and community

participation.– As an interim arrangement, NDIS participants will receive

hearing services

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What does this mean for Voucher/CSO clients?

• As an interim arrangement, NDIS participants will receive hearing services (where this is part of their funded package) through the Hearing Services Program

• By 2019-20 when the NDIS reaches full national roll out eligible clients will transfer to the that Scheme

• We need to make sure that this happens in a way which does not disadvantage those transferring or those who will remain in the Hearing Services Program

• This involves a number of pieces of work which will need to be completed over the next 4 year period by the Office, Department of Social Services (policy/funding advisers on NDIS) and the NDIA (implementing the NDIS) – with input from sector , clients/families, advocacy groups

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What have we done so far?

• Legislation changed in 2013 to expand eligibility for Hearing Services Program to NDIS participants

• Information about the interim arrangements on Office of Hearing Services website and advice to current providers

• Targeted NDIS Transition Information sessions in June 2015

• Review of submissions and letters received from stakeholders

• Questions and Answers and additional information on website

• Visited trial sites and received feedback from planners and participants

• Mapping of issues/questions arising to 12 key themes

• Letters to around 120,000 individual clients/ their families, carers

• NDIS Transition Planning workshops for all stakeholders August/Sept 2015

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Implications for the hearing services sector2

• There are a number of hearing specific issues that need to be worked through before clients transition

• Interim arrangements are currently in place which provide for NDIS clients to access the Hearing Services Program, where appropriate

• The NDIS has implications for clients, the Hearing Services Program, services providers and practitioners

Implications for the hearing services sector

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Hearing Services Program - impact

• Continuity of services for existing clients who cannot access the NDIS (CSO and Voucher)

• New arrangements for the Program after number of CSO clients that will transfer is clearer – stakeholder consultation

• Alignment of quality and safeguards between Hearing Services Program and NDIS to ensure no unnecessary regulatory burden

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When will clients transfer?

• Hearing Services Program clients living in NDIS trial sites are encouraged to meet with an NDIA planner to determine eligibility now.

• These clients will be both clients of the Hearing Services Program clients and NDIS participants until legislation is amended to restrict eligibility to people who cannot access the NDIS.

• This will need to be worked through as part of transition planning and reflected in relevant legislative arrangements.

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What does this mean for Hearing Services Program clients who transfer to NDIS ?

• Choice of service provider

• Individual funded package – more flexibility with potentially greater range of supports

• Continuity of service provider – eg: ability to stay with Australian Hearing after reaching 26 years of age (if they wish to do so)

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What does this mean for the sector?

• Increased government funding – funding for NDIS participants 26 to 65 years that is not means tested

• Need to adapt to a more flexible / holistic approach to meeting communication goals of NDIS participants

• Greater flexibility in service design and delivery - a more joined-up approach to service delivery

• A greater focus on client outcomes under a quality assurance approach

• Potential competition to provide services to CSO client groups, where standards and workforce requirements are met

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Planning for transition 3

• The are a number of issues to be worked through – preliminary work has already started on priority areas

• Priorities – who will transition / how can we best preserve the speed of access to hearing services for newborns with hearing loss

• Strategies are also being developed to deliver better co-ordinated, integrated disability services to remote and rural areas

• Transition planning with stakeholders is critical

Planning for transition

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Key questions from stakeholders

• Who will be eligible for the NDIS?

• Will the time between a newborn being diagnosed with hearing loss and accessing hearing services be preserved?

• Choice is good - but how will I know that the hearing practitioner has appropriate qualifications, skills /experience?

• What type of hearing supports will the NDIS fund? How much will funding will be provided for these?

• How will planners know when it is reasonable and necessary to upgrade hearing related technology?

• How will the NDIA source hearing devices? What process will be in place to ensure that new technology can be accessed?

• Will services continue to be delivered in rural and remote areas?

• Who will be responsible for the spectrum of activities including monitoring hearing loss in at-risk children, review of school based hearing equipment?

• How will the arrangements for the Hearing Services program be impacted?

• How will I be kept informed?

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Key themes for proposed work packages

1. NDIS access

2. Paediatric referral pathway and data collection

3. Quality, safeguards and client outcomes

4. Engagement and communication

5. Hearing related supports

6. Pricing of supports and funding transfer

7. Supply of hearing devices

8. Rural and remote access

9. Roles and boundaries

10.New Arrangements for the Hearing Services Program

11. Legislation changes

12.Transition Governance

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Understanding stakeholder needs and issues

Understanding stakeholder needs and issues

To ensure the planning for transition takes into account the diverse needs and issues we want to understand the following:

1. What are your needs as the NDIS is rolled out?2. What are your particular issues or concerns?

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Understand current experience

Understand current experience

To ensure we move forward in a way that builds on what works, and addresses what does not, we want to understand the following:

1. What works well now?2. What needs to change?

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Understand communication and engagement as we move forward

Understand communication and engagement as we move forward

To ensure we develop the right communication and support for stakeholders, we want to understand the following:

1. What information do you need to support you through change?

2. When do you need it?3. Who do you expect to communicate to you?4. What is the best way to reach you (i.e. letter, email,

face to face, text, etc.)? 

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Contact Details

Office of Hearing ServicesMedical Benefits DivisionDepartment of Health

Email: hearing@health.gov.au