🚗 Understanding Provider Travel in Remote and Very Remote Areas (MMM 6 & 7)

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Today, we’re diving into the unique travel arrangements that apply when NDIS supports are delivered in remote and very remote areas (MMM 6 & MMM 7). Whether you're an NDIS participant or a provider, understanding how provider travel works in these areas can help ensure services are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively. Let’s explore what this means for you:

In remote (MMM 6) and very remote (MMM 7) areas, providers delivering core and capacity-building supports may enter specific agreements with participants to cover travel costs. Given the long distances often involved, this flexibility is crucial for ensuring participants still receive the support they need.

Here’s how provider travel works in these areas:

• Cost Coverage: Providers can claim travel costs up to the hourly rate for the support item they are delivering. For example, if a provider is delivering therapy services, the cost of traveling to the participant’s location can be covered up to the equivalent hourly rate for that service.

• Non-Labour Costs: Providers can also claim for other travel-related expenses like road tolls, parking, and public transport fares. These claims must be made separately from the labour cost claims and should be recorded under the "Provider Travel – non-labour costs" support item in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.

In remote areas, travel can quickly become costly for participants. To help reduce these costs, providers should work with participants to find the most cost-effective travel solutions. Here are some key strategies:

• Coordinating Appointments: Providers can coordinate appointments with multiple participants in the same area, allowing them to split travel costs between participants. This helps reduce the individual burden on each participant.

• Using Telehealth: In situations where face-to-face support is not essential, providers may offer telehealth services to eliminate travel costs altogether. This is especially beneficial in very remote areas where travel distances are significant.

When a provider delivers support in a remote area, they can make separate claims for:

1. Travel Time: Providers can claim for the time spent traveling to the participant’s location, billed at the relevant hourly rate for the support being delivered.

2. Non-Labour Costs: Providers can also claim for costs like tolls, parking, or public transport fares that are directly related to the travel. These should be claimed under a specific line item in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and must be submitted separately from the travel time claim.

For example, if a support worker is traveling to a remote location, they may claim both their travel time and any additional non-labour costs (such as road tolls or parking fees), provided the support item’s travel rules allow it.

Scenario: Rural Therapy Sessions
Sarah lives in a very remote (MMM 7) area and receives physiotherapy services under her NDIS plan. Her provider, aware of the high travel costs, coordinates appointments with other NDIS participants in the same region. This way, Sarah shares the travel cost with other participants, reducing her out-of-pocket expenses. Additionally, Sarah and her provider agree that some sessions can be conducted via telehealth, further cutting down on travel costs while still maintaining her care plan.

• Travel in Remote Areas: In MMM 6 and MMM 7 areas, providers can claim travel costs up to the hourly rate of the support item.

• Shared Travel: Providers should minimize participant costs by coordinating appointments or offering telehealth options.

• Separate Claims: Providers must make separate claims for travel time and non-labour costs like tolls or parking.

We hope this guide helps clarify how provider travel works in remote areas! 😊 If you have any more questions or need help managing your NDIS plan, reach out to our friendly team at ISM. We’re here to help you navigate your journey with ease! 💪