If you or someone you know is living with a disability and wondering if you can use NDIS funding to access physiotherapy services, the short answer is yes. The NDIS recognises that physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the lives of many NDIS participants—in improving mobility, managing pain, and enhancing independence in daily life.
Physiotherapy is one of the Allied Health Services that sits under the guidelines of broader health supports provided to NDIS participants. The Health System guidelines state that funding for physiotherapy may be covered if the therapy is directly related to your disability support needs and assists you to maintain or improving your movement and daily functioning.
Let’s take a look at what may be covered by NDIS physiotherapy funding, who is eligible and how to access funding.
What does NDIS physiotherapy funding cover?
People living with a disability can access a range of NDIS capacity-building services to achieve their goals. These services aim to improve participants’ physical capabilities, enabling greater independence. The level of funding you may be eligible to receive will vary based on your unique needs, objectives, and plan.
Some of the services provided by NDIS physiotherapy providers include:
- Assessments and evaluations: Performed by qualified physiotherapists to gain a better understanding of your current physical condition, capabilities, limitations and achievable goals.
- Therapeutic interventions: Various treatments and techniques aimed at enhancing mobility, strength, coordination, and overall physical function.
- Assistive technology, equipment and aids: Help to identify mobility aids (like walkers or wheelchairs), therapeutic devices (like orthotics) or home modifications that could help to improve independence in daily activities and provide guidance on how to use them safely.
- Home exercise programs: To help you maintain and enhance physical abilities, enabling you to actively work on your rehabilitation goals at home.
- Education and training: Aimed at empowering participants, families, and carers. This includes educational sessions and training on exercises, handling techniques, and strategies to manage physical challenges more effectively.
Conditions that may qualify for physiotherapy funding
Funding for physiotherapy is based on your unique needs and goals. Here are some common conditions that receive funding for physiotherapy services:
- Neurological conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries
- Musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis, rehabilitation after amputations and back injuries
- Developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida
- Chronic pain and fatigue syndromes
- Respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Paediatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome
Who is eligible to receive NDIS funding for physiotherapy services?
To access NDIS funding for physiotherapy, you must first be an active NDIS participant.
Funding for NDIS physiotherapy services may be provided if it is considered a reasonable and necessary support that will assist you in managing your daily activities, improve your quality of life and help you in achieving your goals.
How to apply for NDIS physiotherapy funding
If you believe you might qualify for NDIS funding, talk with an NDIS Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to discuss your situation and get help completing an access request form to apply for the NDIS.
Once the NDIS have confirmed your eligibility, you’ll have a planning meeting to discuss your needs and goals. This is the time to discuss how services like physiotherapy could support you.
Once you receive your NDIS plan you can check whether funding for physiotherapy services is included under either the Improved Daily Living or Improved Health and Well-being budget categories.
How MyIntegra can help you manage your funding and achieve your goals
If you’re having difficulty understanding your NDIS funds, managing your plan or finding support, MyIntegra Plan Management and Support Coordination can help.
Our NDIS Plan Management team will help you pay your invoices quickly, handle financial records for you, and monitor your overall spending and budget to ensure you maximise your funding.
If Support Coordination is funded in your plan and you need help understanding your support options and finding the right physiotherapy providers, MyIntegra’s NDIS Support Coordination services can help with that too.
To learn more about how we can help you get the most out of your NDIS plan, get in touch with us today.
