Plan-Managed Pre-Approvals: Avoid Delays

Why pre-approvals matter (and when they’re required)

Pre-approvals are checks done before you start a support or incur costs, to make sure the expense fits your NDIS plan and is handled correctly. For plan-managed participants, this usually means your plan manager confirms the request is eligible and processed the right way—so the provider can get paid without unexpected delays. If the approval step is missed, you may end up waiting longer for processing, requesting more paperwork, or having costs not paid as expected.

In plan management, the most common trigger for a pre-approval is when a support is higher risk for eligibility or the provider needs to submit information up front (for example, certain therapy hours, assistive technology-related purchases, or services that require a specific evidence base). Requirements can also depend on what’s written in your plan and how your provider bills. If you’re unsure, ask your plan manager—many people find it helpful to use MyMoney NDIS (www.planmanager.net.au) as a guide to understand what’s typically needed for plan-managed requests.

Pre-approval also helps you avoid confusion when choosing providers. Different providers may quote different prices, require different documentation, or describe supports in slightly different ways. Before you commit, it’s smart to compare options and confirm how each provider handles pre-approvals. My Care Finders can be a useful starting point for comparing providers and their approach, so you can choose one that’s experienced with plan-managed billing and timelines.

Key takeaway: If your support might need extra checks, get the pre-approval first—doing it early is usually faster than fixing a rejected or incomplete claim later.

• Ask “Is this pre-approved?” before the first service session or purchase.
• Check your plan category and funding type to reduce the chance of mismatch.
• Provide documents promptly (quotes, assessments, treatment plans) if requested.
• Keep it consistent: use the same provider details and service dates the plan manager expects.