NDIS Support at Medihub | Buying Mobility Aids with Your NDIS Plan
Medihub is committed to helping you make the most of your NDIS plan. We offer a wide range of mobility and daily living aids and provide easy options for NDIS participants to purchase them. Below we answer common questions about using your National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding at Medihub, so you can confidently get the products you need.
What is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australian government-funded program that provides financial support to people with permanent and significant disabilities. It’s designed to fund the supports and services individuals need to improve their quality of life, achieve their goals, and live more independently. Eligible NDIS participants receive a personalised plan with funding for approved services or items – for example, assistive technology, personal care, therapies, transportation, home modifications, and equipment like mobility aids. In short, the NDIS helps cover disability-related costs so that people under 65 (at the time of access) can get essential support and products.
Is Medihub a registered NDIS provider?
No. Medihub is not an officially registered NDIS provider. However, you can still use your NDIS plan to shop with us if you manage your funding the right way. Under NDIS rules, only participants whose plans are self-managed or plan-managed can purchase supports from unregistered providers. Medihub proudly supports self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. This means if you or your Plan Manager control the funding for your plan, you are free to choose Medihub for your equipment needs. (In fact, many NDIS participants opt for plan or self-management specifically to have the flexibility to buy from providers like us.)
If your plan is NDIA-managed (also known as agency-managed, where the NDIA pays providers on your behalf), then Medihub would not be able to directly accept your NDIS funding. NDIS regulations require that agency-managed participants purchase from NDIS-registered providers only. Since we’re unregistered, an NDIA-managed participant’s funding cannot be used at our checkout. In that case, you could still buy our products with other funds (privately), but you wouldn’t be reimbursed by NDIS for those purchases. (Tip: If you’re currently agency-managed and want more choice of providers, you might consider speaking with your NDIS planner about switching to plan-managed or self-managed in the future.)
How can self-managed NDIS participants purchase from Medihub?
If you self-manage your NDIS plan, buying from Medihub is simple. You can shop on our website like any regular customer:
- Select your products: Add the mobility aids or other items you need to your cart.
- Pay at checkout: Use your own funds (e.g. credit/debit card) to complete the purchase at checkout. (Because you self-manage, you’ll pay the provider directly and then claim the cost back from NDIS.)
- Receive your invoice: After payment, Medihub will email you a tax invoice/receipt for your order.
- Claim your reimbursement: You can then lodge a claim through the NDIS myplace portal or my NDIS mobile app to have the funds reimbursed from your plan into your bank account. Make sure the claim amount matches the invoice and that the item is included in your plan’s supports. The NDIS typically reimburses self-managing participants within a few business days.
By self-managing, you have full control – you can buy from any provider (registered or not) as long as the purchase is aligned with your NDIS plan and budget. Be sure to save your invoices and only claim for items that are approved under your plan (i.e. related to your disability needs and within your funding categories). If in doubt, check your plan details or ask your support coordinator for guidance.
How can plan-managed NDIS participants purchase from Medihub?
We make it easy for plan-managed participants to order from Medihub as well. If you have a Plan Manager handling your NDIS funding, the Plan Manager can pay providers on your behalf using your NDIS funds. Here’s how to proceed with an order in that case:
- Shop on our website: Select the products (e.g. wheelchair, walker, etc.) you wish to buy and add them to your cart.
- Choose the NDIS payment option: At checkout, instead of paying upfront, select the “NDIS Payment / Invoice” option. This lets us know you need an invoice for a plan-managed order.
- Get an invoice/quote: Once you place the order using the NDIS option, Medihub will generate a formal invoice (quote) for your items and immediately email it to you.
- Forward to your Plan Manager: Send the invoice to your Plan Manager. The Plan Manager will process the payment using your NDIS funding. They may pay via bank transfer or their systems using the details on the invoice.
- Order confirmation and delivery: As soon as we receive payment from your Plan Manager, we will confirm your order and ship your items. We’ll keep you updated, so you’ll know when to expect delivery.
By following this process, plan-managed participants can seamlessly purchase from Medihub even though we’re unregistered – the key is that the Plan Manager pays the invoice. We’re experienced in working with plan managers, so if your manager needs any additional information on the invoice (such as item codes or quotes), let us know and we’ll assist.
Note: Ensure that the products you are ordering fit within the categories and budget of your NDIS plan. Plan Managers will generally only approve invoices that align with the supports in your plan (for example, a mobility aid should correspond to funding in an assistive technology or core supports budget). If your Plan Manager has any questions or requirements, we’re happy to help clarify or adjust the quote.
My NDIS plan is NDIA-managed (Agency-managed). Can I purchase from Medihub?
If your NDIS funding is agency-managed by the NDIA, you will face limitations on where you can spend it. NDIA-managed participants can only use NDIS funding with registered providers – the NDIA’s payment portal does not allow payments to unregistered providers. Because Medihub is currently not NDIS-registered, you unfortunately cannot have NDIA pay us directly for an order. In practical terms, this means you cannot claim an NDIA-managed plan expense for items bought from Medihub.
However, you still have a couple of options:
- Private Purchase: You may choose to purchase the item privately (out-of-pocket) from Medihub. Some people do this for smaller or urgent items, though you won’t be reimbursed by the NDIS if your plan is strictly NDIA-managed.
- Changing Funding Management: If you anticipate needing to buy from non-registered providers like Medihub regularly, you might consider switching your plan management style. NDIS participants often have the choice to become plan-managed or self-managed (either for all or part of their budget), which would allow you to use providers of your choice. You can discuss this option with your NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator during a plan review. Even a combination (e.g. having a specific part of your budget self-managed for equipment purchases) could be a solution if appropriate.
Every participant’s situation is different. If you’re NDIA-managed and interested in our products, feel free to contact us to discuss possible ways we could assist. We want everyone to have access to the best mobility and healthcare aids, and we can offer guidance or documentation (like quotes) that might help you in conversations with your planner about purchasing the item.
What products can I buy with NDIS funding at Medihub?
Medihub offers a wide range of NDIS-friendly products that may be covered under your plan, depending on your needs and funding categories. Our product range includes many types of assistive technology and daily living aids commonly funded by the NDIS. For example, you can find:
- Mobility Equipment: We stock mobility scooters, powerchairs, walkers, rollators, and manual or electric wheelchairs. These are typical items funded by NDIS to improve mobility. If you need help getting around safely and independently, these aids can usually be purchased with NDIS support.
- Bathroom & Home Safety Aids: We carry shower chairs, bath stools, raised toilet seats, grab rails, non-slip mats, and other bathroom safety equipment. We also have bedroom aids like medical beds and patient lifts to assist with safe sleeping and transfers. (In many cases, NDIS funding does cover adaptive beds or similar assistive furniture when it’s necessary for your disability. These items make daily tasks easier and fall under daily living/assistive equipment in your plan.
- Others – We continuously add new products, from lift chairs to ramps and beyond. If it’s a product that assists with mobility, safety, or daily independence, there’s a good chance it can be funded by the NDIS (provided you have a stated need for it in your plan). Just verify with your plan manager or coordinator if you’re uncertain about a specific item.
Keep in mind that NDIS funding is tied to your individual plan. Each plan has specific categories (like Core, Capital – which includes Assistive Technology, and Capacity Building) with budgets for certain purposes. The products above generally fall under Assistive Technology or Consumables supports. For larger or more costly equipment (e.g. an adjustable bed or a high-end power wheelchair), your plan might require a quote and pre-approval by the NDIA, and it would come out of a Capital Supports budget. For simpler low-cost items (e.g. a shower chair or walking cane), you might use your Core supports/consumables budget. Always check your plan’s details or ask your plan manager to ensure the item fits your approved funding categories and price limits.
If you’re not sure whether a product is covered, feel free to reach out to us or your support coordinator. We can provide product specifications or quotes to help determine if it meets NDIS criteria. Ultimately, if the item is reasonable and necessary for your needs and aligns with your plan goals, the NDIS is likely to fund it – but confirming beforehand can save you any surprises.
Where can I get help or more information about using NDIS at Medihub?
We understand that the NDIS can be confusing, especially if you’re new to managing your plan. Our team is here to help. If you have any questions or need guidance on purchasing through NDIS, you can always contact us for support. The easiest way is to email us at support@medihub.health. Our friendly staff are experienced with NDIS orders and can walk you through the process or provide any documentation you need (like detailed quotes, product information, or order updates).
Whether you’re unsure how to place an order, want to double-check if a product is suitable for funding, or need assistance with the checkout process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We can also liaise with your Plan Manager if required, making the transaction as smooth as possible. At Medihub, we pride ourselves on customer service – we want NDIS participants to feel confident and comfortable using their plans with us.
Helpful resources: If you’d like to learn more about managing your NDIS funding, the official NDIS website has guides and a helpline. But for anything related to our products or ordering process, just reach out to us directly. We’re here to ensure you get the equipment and support you need, with minimum hassle.