Fee Policy and Procedure

The link to the NDIS pricing information is below. https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements

Red Frog for Families is committed to the provision of a fair and consistent fee structure for all participants accessing Red Frog for Families services. Red Frog for Families understands that at times, families may experience financial stress and we encourage families to discuss this with one of our team so that we can work on a solution together.

The purpose of this policy is to clarify roles and responsibilities within Red Frog for Families pertaining to the setting and collection of fees for service.

The supporting systems and procedures will ensure that there are guidelines and consistency around how we administer fees.

This policy applies to parents/caregivers of children in the service, team members, and community members who are participants of Red Frog for Families or wish to access Red Frog for Families services. This policy also applies to administration team members who are responsible for the administration of fees.

Fees for service will apply to those families who access services through Red Frog for Families utilising any funding source, including through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Medicare and Private Health Insurance Agencies, and to those families accessing services as privately funded participants.

Fees for service will apply to those families who access services through Red Frog for Families utilising funding through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Medicare and Private Health Insurance Agencies, and to those families accessing services as privately funded participants.

Standard Fees for Service are as follows:

(NDIS, Medicare, Private Health Insurance, and Privately funded)

• Speech Therapy $193.99 / hr
• Occupational Therapy $193.99 / hr
• Music Therapy $193.99 / hr
• Travel (Out-of-clinic sessions charged at hourly rate with addition of per km rate) $0.97 / hr

(NDIS, Medicare, Private Health Insurance, and Privately funded)

• Allied Health Assistant (Level 2) $86.79 / hr

(NDIS, Medicare, Private Health Insurance, and Privately funded)

• Occupational Therapy / Speech Therapy / Music Therapy $193.99 / hr

(NDIS, Medicare, Private Health Insurance, and Privately funded) All assessments are conducted by the hour $193.99 / hr

Our assessments involve an initial meeting with parent/carer and one of our therapists (without the participant). This is an opportunity to have a more in-depth conversation with our therapist about the participant to discuss their strengths and challenges, and goals to work towards.

They also include the assessment sessions with the participant, and the subsequent assessment reports which can assist in application for NDIS funding.

There is also an outcome meeting without the participant to discuss the findings of the report and to make a plan for ongoing therapy.

To give an idea of the number of hours required, our assessments typically range between 5 and 7 hours. The therapist will determine the number of hours during your initial meeting and advise you at that time.

Assessments are only charged for the time spent and not necessarily for the maximum amount listed above.

Our assessments involve an initial meeting with parent/caregiver and one of our therapists (with or without the participant as appropriate). This is an opportunity to have a more in-depth conversation with our therapist about the participant to discuss their strengths and challenges, and goals to work towards.

They also include the assessment sessions with the participant, and the subsequent assessment reports which can assist in application for NDIS funding.

There is also an outcome meeting (with or without the participant as appropriate) to discuss the findings of the report and to make a plan for ongoing therapy.

Our assessments are charged by the hour, and need to include enough hours to complete a functional assessment. A functional assessment typically takes between 10 and 15 hours. Each hour is charged at a rate of $193.99.

Assessments are only charged for the time spent and not necessarily for the maximum amount listed above.

Our assessments involve an initial meeting with one of our therapists, the participant, and any support people they would like to include. This is an opportunity to have a more in-depth conversation with our therapist about the participant to discuss their strengths and challenges, and goals to work towards.

They also include the assessment sessions with the participant, and the subsequent assessment reports which can assist in application for NDIS funding.

There is also an outcome meeting to discuss the findings of the report and to make a plan for ongoing therapy.

Our assessments are charged by the hour, and need to include enough hours to complete a functional assessment. A functional assessment typically takes between 10 and 15 hours. Each hour is charged at a rate of $193.99.

We are NOT able to complete driving assessments or AT (assistive technology) assessments at this time.

Assessments are only charged for the time spent and not necessarily for the maximum amount listed above.

We are generally unable to complete diagnostic assessments or SIL (supported independent living) assessments for participants over 25 years of age, however we are able to assist with functional assessments to determine how to support a participant to lead a better quality of life.

Our assessments involve an initial meeting with one of our therapists, the participant, and any support people they would like to include. This is an opportunity to have a more in-depth conversation with our therapist about the participant to discuss their strengths and challenges, and goals to work towards.

They also include the assessment sessions with the participant, and the subsequent assessment reports which can assist in application for NDIS funding.

There is also an outcome meeting to discuss the findings of the report and to make a plan for ongoing therapy.

Our assessments are charged by the hour, and need to include enough hours to complete a functional assessment. A functional assessment typically takes between 10 and 15 hours. Each hour is charged at a rate of $193.99.

We are NOT able to complete driving assessments or AT (assistive technology) assessments at this time.

Assessments are only charged for the time spent and not necessarily for the maximum amount listed above.

(Privately funded only)

20-minute session with Occupational Therapist and Speech Therapist Checklist report and recommendations on requirement for further investigation $80 per screener

(NDIS, Medicare, Private Health Insurance, and Privately funded)

• Specialist Behavioural Intervention Support $214.41 / hr
• Behaviour Management Plan development (Typically 10-15 hours) $193.99 / hr
• Training in Behaviour Management Strategies $193.99 / hr

(NDIS, Medicare, Private Health Insurance, and Privately funded)

• Community Access – Individual during weekday $65.47 per hour
• Community Access – Individual during weekday evening $72.13 per hour
• Community Access – Individual on Saturdays $92.12 per hour
• Community Access – Individual on Sundays $118.78 per hour
• Community Access – Individual on Public Holidays $145.44 per hour
• Community Access – Individual night-time sleepover $276.27 per night Travel with participant $0.97 per km

For any services not listed that Red Frog for Families is able to offer (e.g. Community Access services on weekends), the standard rate specified in the NDIS Price Guide will be applied.

• Families are required to pay fees as detailed in the Service Agreement and Invoices.
• Fees will only be charged for actual services provided, or for cancellations in line with the Red Frog for Families Cancellation Policy.

• Fees payable by NDIS clients will be discussed with families prior to commencement with service and signed off in the Service Agreement.
• Red Frog for Families does not use Medicare bulk billing, or Private Health Insurance HICAPS facilities. Medicare or Private Health Insurance funded families will be provided an invoice detailing information required for Medicare or their Private Health Insurance Agency to be able to claim reimbursement on a paid invoice. The invoice must be fully paid prior to claiming reimbursement.
• An invoice for fees payable will be provided following each therapy session including terms for payment. Default terms are two days after service has been delivered.

• Families will be issued with an invoice for all services delivered.
• Any outstanding fees must be paid before service can resume.
• Families may receive up to three follow-up reminders to pay outstanding fees:
  • Second reminder requests payment of outstanding fees and advises that debt collection may follow, a late payment fee of $25 per invoice will be applied 24 hours after the second reminder has been sent should payment not be made;
  • Third reminder is a letter of demand and reminds that debt collection may follow.
• At all stages, families are invited to contact Red Frog for Families to discuss how they can be supported.
• The Manager of Business Supports (or delegate) will also attempt to contact the family to offer support options.
• Payment of fees is reviewed every four weeks by the Manager of Business Supports (or delegate).
• Any outstanding amounts that are deemed unrecoverable may be written off by the Chief of Operations (or delegate). These amounts are reported to Red Frog for Families Leadership Team.
• Service delivery may be suspended until all accounts are paid and will not resume until agreement has been reached between the family/carer and the Chief Operations Officer.

Red Frog for Families fees will be reviewed by the Leadership Team annually in May for the following financial year or as deemed necessary by the Chief Executive Officer.