MOUNT Gambier City Council will write to the Federal Government urging immediate action to rectify a “glitch” in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The NDIS is the biggest social reform since Medicare, introducing a new way of providing services to give people living with a disability more choice about the support they receive.
The scheme was rolled out across the Limestone Coast in October, with applicants with physical, mental or intellectual disabilities required to submit an access request form which must be completed by a treating doctor.
“I was made aware the completion of this form is not covered under Medicare and GPs will have to charge patients for the service,” elected member Penny Richardson said at council’s January meeting.
“To access the NDIS, the access request form must be completed – if a patient does not submit an application they will not receive any services.
“The most vulnerable people in our community do not have the financial resources to pay to have the form completed, given a standard consultation can cost around $70, yet they cannot access continuing support if they do not complete this form.”
Cr Richardson said she had verified the “discriminatory practice” with a local medical clinic.
“One clinic advised they did not know how much would be charged as they did not know how long it would take to complete the form,” she said.
“I’m hoping this is simply a glitch in the system – something the Federal Government has overlooked and will rectify immediately.”
Council passed a motion to write to the social and human services federal minister, urging them to rectify the issue and ensure vulnerable people were able to have their NDIS access request form completed by their GP under a Medicare benefit.
The State Government has also called on the Federal Government to fast-track improvements to the NDIS.
Disabilities Minister Katrine Hildyard said despite the NDIS having been rolled out across most of South Australia, only two local area coordinators (LACs) had been appointed across the state.
“The LACs play a pivotal role in connecting people to services on the ground and the State Government has picked up this work due to the inaction of the Commonwealth,” she said.
“We are calling on the Federal Government to keep its promises by appointing LACs, fixing payment delay issues that are leaving providers out of pocket and ensuring South Australia gets its fair share of resources and jobs.
“People with disability have waited long enough for the life-changing benefits of the NDIS – the Federal Government needs to keep its promises.”
