Get Started

Congratulations, you've made the decision to engage an Occupational Therapist for your child. Now you want to know what's next?

Below is the step by step process for you to get started:

1. Send an enquiry email to beyondotsydney@gmail.com

Within this email please include the following details:

Child's name
Child's DOB
Home address
Name of current Preschool/School they attend and what year they are in
NDIS Number (If applicable)
Any diagnosis / Diagnoses
Your main concerns for your child
Your best contact number

2. Beyond OT will get back to you within 24/48 hours via email or a phone call to find out more about your child and to discuss an Initial Assessment date/time and ongoing session availability. Please note while we may not be able to accommodate your child for sessions immediately however we can typically arrange an Initial Assessment within 2-3 weeks.

3. If both parties are happy to proceed, your OT will email you an intake form and any other relevant forms required to be filled out and returned prior to Initial Assessment. Please note, we offer various types of assessments and whilst we generally always encourage some form of an Initial Assessment we are also able to jump straight into sessions if that is your preference (subject to availability).

4. We will see you on the big day! After your Initial Assessment, you can expect to have your report emailed to you within 3 weeks from the assessment date. Your therapist will discuss with you whether it is best to wait to commence therapy sessions until the report is completed or if it is suitable to start straight away.

5. After your Assessment, you will be emailed an invoice to make payment. This payment can be made via bank transfer or with a card payment on the day.

FUNDING OPTIONS

NDIS

Beyond OT is a registered NDIS provider for Early Intervention and Therapeutic Supports, so you are able to use your child’s NDIS funding to pay for therapy appointments at Beyond OT whether you are self-managed or plan managed. NDIS funding can be used towards all OT services including weekly appointments and intensive therapy, as well as reports, evaluations and other services.

Your child will need to have allocated hours in their current NDIS plan within Capacity Building/Improved Daily Living. Parents/Guardians are responsible to ensure the child’s plan is valid for the time of weekly therapy service, and that you have adequate funds allocated for therapy. Parents/Guardians will be responsible to pay for any amount that is not covered by your child’s funding.

Please note there are cancellation and administration fees for changes to bookings.

SELF MANAGED

Receipts will be emailed to you following the completion of all payments. Please note, we are unable to amend dates, therapist names, therapy disciplines on any invoices after the appointment has been completed. You are not able to use multiple Government or private health funding sources to pay for an individual therapy session if you are claiming via the NDIS. While we do not require you to supply a Service Agreement, please ensure you are familiar with Beyond OT's services and all Terms and Conditions.

PLAN MANAGED

If your child has a Plan Management company administering their NDIS plan, you must complete and return a Service Agreement in advance of your service, supplying in writing your Plan Management company’s full details and direct contact. Your Plan Manager will need to email Beyond OT to confirm that funding is available and secured to cover the planned sessions. Beyond OT will work with your Plan Management company to confirm terms of payment at the end of the intensive or following your service. If we do not receive Plan Manager information or confirmation of funds within seven days of receipt of the invoice, your child may be moved back on to the waitlist.

Private Health

Allied health services tend to be an added extras option on your policy and coverage and rebates between providers can vary. Please check your child’s policy with your private health insurance provider to ensure they are covered for Occupational Therapy services. Please ask your therapist for the item code.

Medicare

Medicare has a few health plans that your child may be able to access, which you can claim a rebate for. Please speak to your GP for more information on the various plans and if your child may be eligible. Please note, the rebate may not cover the full cost of an individual therapy session.

Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM)

The Chronic Diseases Management Plan (CDM), previously known as the Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC), is a Medicare-rebated funding program for people who have chronic medical conditions (classified as a condition that has been present for at least six months). The CDM provides eligible clients with a partial rebate for up to five (maximum) visits across a calendar year for Allied Health services (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy). The five visits can be allocated across the Allied Health therapists if you need to access more than one type of therapy.

How Can We Access This Funding?

To access this type of funding, please meet with your GP to discuss eligibility. Your child may be eligible for this funding package if they have had a chronic medical condition for six months or more. You can inform your GP of how you would like to allocate the five visits, and for which therapists. Your GP will give you a form for you to bring to your appointment. After you receive this form, you are entitled to claim under the CDM.

Payment for the five appointments is required in full. Beyond OT will provide you with a receipt to submit to Medicare for a rebate. CDM-funded sessions cannot be paid for through your private health fund or NDIS funding.

Better Start Initiative

Better Start is a funding scheme that allows children with developmental disabilities to access funding for early intervention services. Better Start is currently being phased out by the Australian Government, and children are being transitioned to the NDIS scheme. Parents or carers of eligible children will need to register their child for the Better Start initiative before they turn six in order to access the early intervention funding.

The Better Start initiative includes the following components:

Funding for early intervention services and treatments for eligible children under the age of six
Medicare items for the development of a treatment and management plan for eligible children under the age of 13
Medicare items for up to four allied health diagnostic services and for 20 relevant allied health services in total for eligible children up to the age of 15 (provided the treatment and management plan is in place before the age of 13)

Who Is Eligible for This Plan?

Eligible children are those diagnosed with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Fragile X syndrome, or a moderate or greater vision or hearing impairment, including deaf-blindness, Prader Willi Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, Kabuki Syndrome, Smith-Magenis Syndrome, CHARGE Syndrome, Cornelia De Lange Syndrome, Cri du Chat Syndrome, Microcephaly, or Rett Syndrome will have access to funding and new Medicare items under the Better Start for Children with Disability initiative.

If Eligible, How Can We Access This Funding?

Your state will have an overseeing body for the Better Start Program. You can contact the carer line on 1800 242 636 to ask about the Better Start Program or email betterstart@carersnsw.org.au (email address depending on your state). Your paediatrician will need to provide paperwork confirming the diagnosis to the carers in your state as part of the application. Once you are approved, you will be provided with paperwork to bring to your session with Beyond OT.

How Do We Use the Funding?

Better Start funding can be used to access Occupational Therapy services at Beyond OT. There is a maximum of $6,000 threshold per financial year that can be used towards therapy services.

Better Start funding cannot be used to pay for late cancellations, missed appointments, or for subsidising a gap in a Medicare-funded or private health funded service.

Parents/Guardians will be responsible to pay for any amount that is not covered by your child’s funding. Please note there are cancellation and administration fees for changes to bookings.

Helping Children with Autism (HCWA)

HCWA is a funding scheme for children who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ADD) or pervasive developmental delay (PDD). You are eligible to access this funding if your child is between the ages of 0-6 years. Children must be approved for this funding prior to their sixth birthday, but the funding can be accessed until the child turns seven.

The funding is up to $6,000 per financial year (up to a total of $12,000) and is specifically for early intervention for the eligible child. You can use this funding only with registered health providers. Beyond OT is registered to provide these services to eligible children.

How Can We Access This Funding?

Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT) is the overseeing body for the HCWA funding in New South Wales and can be contacted on 1300 978 611. If your child already has a formal diagnosis of ASD or PDD you can contact ASPECT to apply for this funding. They will discuss the requirements, including diagnosis and paperwork, which you need to submit with your application. Once your funding has been approved, submit your acceptance letter to Beyond OT. Our staff will further explain the process once your child starts therapy under this funding.

If your child does not yet have a formal diagnosis of ASD or PDD, you will need to speak with your GP who will provide you with a referral to a consultant paediatrician or psychiatrist. If the paediatrician or psychiatrist decides further investigation is required, they will refer you to one or more Allied Health professionals (occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and/or psychologists) to assist their diagnosis. After the diagnosis is confirmed, your paediatrician or psychologist will provide paperwork to submit to ASPECT as part of your application for funding.

Once your funding has been approved, ASPECT will provide paperwork for you to submit to Beyond OT at your first session.

How Do We Access the Funding?

HCWA funding can be used to access occupational therapy services at Beyond OT. This means, you have no out of pocket therapy expenses up to the $12,000 threshold ($6,000 threshold each year). If you exceed your $6,000 threshold, you will need to start paying via other means (see other funding options listed).

You are also entitled to use a portion of your funding to purchase approved equipment or tools used as part of your child’s therapy.

HCWA funding cannot be used to pay for late cancellations, missed appointments, or for subsidising a gap in a Medicare-funded or private health funded service