Disclosure Log
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY DOCUMENT 69
National Disability Insurance Agency.
Minutes
Meeting: PARG (Pricing Arrangement Reference Group)
Date: Wednesday, April 25th at Microsoft Teams from 3 PM to 8 AM on Thursday,
April 25-2242Members:
- Chair: Kee (s47F-personal pr) - Branch Manager for Economics & Pricing
- Independent Members: Jim(s47F-pe), Deborah(s47F-perso), Flavio(s47F-person priva), Felicity(s47F-personal p), Matthew(s47F-persona).
Participating Observer: Anne(s47F-personal p)- General Market Coordinator; Mary(s47F-personal privat)- A/g Dir., Economics & Pricing Branch; Dominic(s47F-personan)-A/g Director,Economics and Pricing Branch Davor(s47F-personalprivac-A/gDir.Econ&PrincingBranchElishas47Fpersonalp-AssistantDirector,EconomicandpricingbranchCourtneys47FPersonAssistDir,EconomiesAndPriceScotts47FpersonAlDircEconomyndiricngBrancVincent s47F personal p-A/g Directon Econ Prin Mike s47F person privacy Assist Direc Economics ndiicing Branc
Disclosure Log
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Pricing Arrangement Reference Group Meeting - Minutes
Welcome and apologies
- David Gifford apologized.
Kee facilitated the meeting chairing it due to personal privacy concerns (
redacted).
Previous Meeting’s Minutes
Endorsed members noted further discussion between Dave and mitigation satisfied Chair; Deb stated no conflict interest register specified in mitigations was present without action taken on them.
Update on Action Register
Actions reviewed:
- Action 1: Legal team confirmed sharing sample submissions as long sensitive info redacted but unsure enough time given timelines digest feedback. Members envision online portal access all submissions. Kee notes large volume submissons capacity share via current online portals suggested Economics & Pricing Branch select relevant noteworthy subsmissions create PARG review sample, identified risk comment endorsement Chapters not fully reflected submission included policy confidentiality/privacy solution offline will find.
- Action 2: Pricing team phrase communications positively highlight what being done transparently challenges ongoing manner.
- Action 3: Setting up direct discussion idea of PARG NDIA board presented secretariat awaiting update.
Chair Update
David Gifford apologize again. Kee provided an update providers peak bodies vocal about price setting issues collaborating joint statements pressure some comments called for DSW therapy support coordination increase also levy help registration compliance costs cost living rising NDIS review recommendations Anne Skordis mentioned high profile provider exits shared balance sheets show decline financial return last two years forecast deterioration next three four years requested additional assistance those who signal intention exit. Dee set averages across broad categories activities diversity within these leading different cost structures therefore exiting more analysis should be undertaken unpack why costs were high among exited factors driven noted by team look into that drove the exit question raised actual or just forecasted exists indeed happening already. Kee mentioned possibility pricing IHACPA if happens there methodology change pricing stays with NDIA still changes particularly DSS’ Pricing Payments Frameworks paper Jim stated constructive consider lessons learned matters future handover move to IHACPA.
DISCLOSURE LOG
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Pricing Arrangement Reference Group Meeting - Minutes
Section: APR Branch Discussion — Participant Economic Cancellation Papers
- Participant: There was a review of comments made by all members. Felicity suggested boosting context for this chapter as it is unclear why we’re doing participant consultation or if there has been one before; Deb proposed improving methods used in asking participants to provide feedback; Flavio noted that increasing participation would improve future consultations, suggesting more effective involvement and engagement with these surveys could influence recommendations; Jim questioned how such consulting impacts decisions; Kee stated clarity on chapters improves once finalized but raised concerns about survey representativeness regarding sector types disability regions affecting responses; Matt asked whether further information like type disability region affects response quality, while Kee advised against collecting personal data due privacy issues yet agreed additional details are useful; Economics & Pricing Branch will investigate live document options allowing real-time changes through portals which Flavio believes can be time-efficient solutions.
- Cancellation: Deb highlighted cost components within prices, unintended consequences from not incentivizing providers towards minimizing costs. Providers might reschedule workers instead when cancellations occur rather than claim full cancellation amounts leading to inefficiencies where specialized services match particular clients’ needs making re-allocation difficult after good practices have failed Anne agrees communication should clearly state last resort status post-good practice implementation. Further analysis needed per recommendation flagging those often charging the full amount via Fraud Fusion team according to Kees statement who also notes this as a consideration by Fraud Fusion.
- Economic: Team acknowledged comments provided context for chapter improvement; clearer upon other sections finalization.
Section: Logistics — Next Steps
Final chapters circulated Monday latest even if incomplete, sufficient discussion possible only 90 minutes next week due member schedules; Jim unavailable on April meeting free May if PARG holds another session; PARG process explained with papers submitted NDIA board Apr 23rd at 7/4 meeting determine need extra time or out-of-session materials; Kee clarifies timeline up until then and updates steps taken between meetings recommendations signed off at subsequent May board meeting any additional action changes recommended may require further discussions Kee will advise thereafter Meeting closed.
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