Plan-Managed Bookings: Get Approval, Avoid Delays

What ‘pre-approval’ really means for plan-managed services

When you hear pre-approval for plan-managed services, it usually means your plan manager is checking the service and the provider details before costs are processed. It is not the same as an NDIS decision about eligibility. For plan-managed supports, your capacity to receive the support is already covered by your plan, while how and when it’s paid is what gets checked first.

In practice, pre-approval can include confirming the support is reasonable and related to your goals, checking the provider is set up correctly for invoicing, and making sure the service matches what was funded in your plan budget (for example, Capacity Building supports vs consumables). Some plan managers also look for correct documentation such as a quote, service agreement, or goals/assessment notes. If anything is missing, you may be asked for more information before the payment is released.

If you’re using MyMoney NDIS (www.planmanager.net.au), the process is designed to help you avoid delays by keeping the booking and spend checks together. You may be asked to provide details like your service start date, frequency, and estimated costs, then the plan manager confirms the payment can be processed under your plan. This can reduce the back-and-forth later—especially when you’re booking therapies, allied health, or supports that need timely scheduling.

Key takeaway: Pre-approval helps the plan manager confirm the support can be paid from your plan—so gather the right details early to avoid missed bookings and invoice delays.

Before you lock in a provider, it’s a good idea to compare options. My Care Finders can help you compare providers and understand what to ask about pricing, session structure, travel costs, cancellations, and invoicing practices. That way, you’re more likely to get pre-approval smoothly and keep your plan-managed bookings on track.