What should I expect at my first appointment?
The physiotherapist will start by taking a detailed history of your pain and symptoms along with a description of how it is impacting your life. This allows us to not only help with diagnosis but also to ensure we have a target to where you need to get back to.
The physio will do a detailed movement and hands-on assessment of the area and any other areas that may be related to the injury. For this it is important for us to be able to see the injured area completely. Please ensure you are dressed appropriately to allow this to be easy. For shoulders or upper body, please bring a singlet to change into and for any lower limb issue, shorts are important. We do have some available in the clinic if need be.
Once a diagnosis is reached, the physiotherapist will perform some kind of treatment on you. This will usually entail either:
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Muscle techniques like massage, stretching or dry needling
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Joint mobilisations
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Exercises to improve either: Strengthening, Biomechanics, Muscle tension/flexibility, Joint range of motion.
Do I need a doctors referral to attend?
Generally, no. While some health insurance policies require a referral, Physiotherapists are primary health care providers and do not require a referral to see. If the injury is eligible for third-party coverage (TAC, Veterans Affairs, WorkCover) typically a doctor’s referral is required.
Will I receive treatment in the initial consultation?
Yes! We will complete an initial assessment, which may involve some questions, measures and tests, then we will get stuck straight into treatment.
What do I need to bring to my first appointment?
If you have had any X-ray’s, ultrasounds or any other form of imagining relating to your area of concern, it may be beneficial to bring these results along to your initial appointment. Usually the report will suffice, but if you have the films, you can choose to bring those along too.
What should I wear to my Physiotherapy appointment?
Your physio will need to have a good view of the affected body part. Shorts and a T-shirt are ideal as many problem areas can be accessed easily, such as arm or leg injuries. It is recommended to wear clothing that you will be comfortable in – something that is easy to move around in, as we may get you doing some basic movements and exercises. For example, if you are coming in with a knee problem, it is best to wear shorts, or pants that will easily roll up to allow access to the knee.
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What will my health fund cover?
What your health fund covers will depend on your provider and level of cover. If you have extras, generally part of the session will be compensated. For an exact figure, it is best to contact your Health Fund directly.
If your private health does partially cover your physiotherapy sessions, we can process the claim right here in the practice for you via our HICAPS system, meaning you will only need to pay the gap amount.
Are you a preferred provider for any Health Funds?
No. Given that the Australian Physiotherapy Association does not endorse the preferred provider scheme, we do not participate in it.
It is important to note that ‘preferred providers’ do not hold any additional qualifications or expertise in the area. They have simply entered into an agreement with a health fund, of which we do not support.
Is Physiotherapy covered under Medicare? (EPC)
Generally speaking, no, physiotherapy is not covered under Medicare. If, however, you have a chronic condition, your GP may issue you with an Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC). This allows you to claim through Medicare for up to 5 physiotherapy visits per calendar year. Your GP will assess your condition and allocate visits based on his findings.
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I’ve Got an Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC). What Next?
So, you’ve just been to see your doctor about a chronic condition that you have. Your doctor has told you that they are going to put you on an Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC) and that you have up to 5 ‘free’ visits with a Physio.
Let’s break this down and go through any information you may need to know.
What Is An Enhanced Primary Care Plan?
An EPC is a plan on the Medicare Benefits Schedule where GPs are able to plan treatment for patients who suffer from a chronic or terminal medical condition with other medical providers.
Can I get a Medicare Rebate for Physiotherapy?
YES! However, there is a few things you will need to do.
Ensure you have the specific and paperwork from your GP, who will refer you to a physiotherapy clinic.
Once the EPC form is filled out by your doctor, they will send a copy to the chosen provider so that we can get you on their system and start your treatment.
How many visits will it cover?
EPC allows for a total of up to 5 rebated consults to any referred allied health practitioner, per year. This number is renewed each calendar year, but you will need a new referral each year to access them.
Is It Really Free?
While we would love to help you out with free treatment, unfortunately we cannot bulk bill Medicare for Physiotherapy at our practice, so there will always be a small gap payment (rebate).
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How does the Medicare EPC rebate process work?
At our practice, the first step is to pay the full fee upfront, we will refund $53.80 back onto your chosen account from Medicare which will arrive within the day or at the very latest, early the next day!