Funding & claims
I want paying for treatment to be the easy part. Here’s how each scheme works at my Brighton clinic. Appointments only, so please book ahead and tell me which scheme you’re using when you book.
P
Private patients and private health
You don’t need a referral to see me. If you have extras cover that includes osteopathy, you can claim on the spot with HICAPS and pay only the gap. What you get back depends on your fund and level of cover.
What to bring
Your private health card
A list of any medications and any recent scans or reports
T
TAC (transport accidents)
If you’ve been injured in a transport accident in Victoria and have an accepted TAC claim, TAC can help pay for osteopathy for your accident injuries. In the first 90 days after your accident, you don’t need TAC approval first if a doctor or other health professional has recommended treatment. After that, or if it’s been more than six months since your last TAC-funded treatment, approval is needed and I’ll help with the paperwork.
At my clinic there’s no gap for TAC-funded treatment.
What to bring
Your TAC claim number (on your acceptance letter or the myTAC app)
Details of the doctor or health professional who recommended treatment
Any scans or reports about your injuries
W
WorkSafe Victoria (work injuries)
If you’ve been injured at work and have a WorkSafe claim, you can see an osteopath without a GP referral or initial approval from your agent. I invoice your WorkSafe agent directly. WorkSafe pays up to its set fee, so there may be a gap, and it doesn’t usually cover osteopathy alongside physio or chiro for the same injury.
At my clinic the gap for WorkSafe (WorkCover) patients is $20.
What to bring
Your WorkSafe claim number
Your employer’s name and your WorkSafe agent’s name
Your date of injury and current work duties or Certificate of Capacity
M
Medicare (GP chronic condition management plan)
If you have a chronic condition and your GP has set up a chronic condition management plan, you may be able to get a Medicare rebate for up to five allied health visits each calendar year (January to December). Those five are shared across all allied health, such as physio or podiatry, and unused visits don’t carry over. You pay for the visit on the day and I can help you claim the Medicare rebate. Your GP needs to refer you to osteopathy as part of the plan, and I’ll send a report back to your GP.
What to bring
Your GP’s referral for osteopathy under your plan
Your Medicare card
How many plan visits you’ve already used this year, if any
D
DVA (veterans)
If you’re a DVA client, osteopathy may be covered. Gold Card holders can be covered for all clinically necessary treatment; White Card holders only for accepted conditions. You’ll need a referral, usually from your GP (form D904 or a referral letter), and each referral covers up to 12 sessions or one year, whichever comes first.
What to bring
Your DVA Veteran Card (Gold or White)
Your GP referral (D904 or letter)
N
NDIS
If you’re an NDIS participant, osteopathy may be funded if it’s in line with your plan goals and related to your disability. It depends on your plan, so check with your plan manager or support coordinator first. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can generally use providers who aren’t NDIS-registered; agency-managed (NDIA-managed) plans need a registered provider.
What to bring
Your NDIS number and plan details
Your plan manager’s contact details (if plan-managed)
General information only. Scheme rules change, so check with your scheme or GP.