Can I claim a Medicare rebate for podiatry?
The latest Federal budget highlights the Australian government’s focus on improving access to health and medical services.
As podiatry services are essential to treating a wide range of health conditions - it is the perfect time to figure out what benefits are available to make your health care easier and more affordable. We are committed to helping you navigate the Medicare rebate scheme and to ensuring that making a claim is as straight forward as possible.
1.Can you Claim a Rebate?
As at May 2021, you can claim a rebate on podiatry fees (up to a maximum of 5 per calendar year) if you:
have an ongoing chronic condition (e.g. musculoskeletal conditions, diabetes or cancer etc.) that has lasted or is likely to last 6 months or more; and
your care needs are complex and being managed by your general practitioner (GP) under a GP Management Plan (GPMP) and Team Care Arrangement (TCA).
Our policy at Regan Gillespie Podiatry is to bulk bill services for clients with an eligible care plan, so you will not pay out of pocket for your visits under a care plan.
2. How do you Claim the Rebate?
There are a few things you need to do before you can claim the rebate:
See your GP before you book your podiatry appointment
If you do not already have a care plan in place, make an appointment with your GP to discuss your condition and ask your GP to create a GPMP and/or TCA for you. Your GP will consider your holistic needs and may recommend that you receive treatment from health professionals who are registered to provide rebated services, for example podiatry, physiotherapy, or occupational therapy.
Get a referral
Once you have a care plan, your GP should send a referral form to the recommended health care professionals. Ask your GP for a copy of the plan (including referral) to bring along to your appointment. As registered providers, we would be happy to work with you and your GP to ensure you get the best podiatric treatment without delay.
Book your podiatry appointment
After seeing your GP, phone or email us to book your appointment. Please ensure you bring a copy of your referral and plan with you to the appointment.
3. How many visits can you claim?
Your GP can refer you for a maximum of five rebated appointments in any one calendar year. This may include a combination of professionals depending on your needs. For example, your GP might refer you for three podiatry appointments and two occupational therapist appointments, or five podiatry appointments if that is the most beneficial for your condition. Any further appointments made in that calendar year will not attract the rebate.
You will not be eligible for any rebate on further visits after you have used the five rebated visits in that calendar year. If the five visits are not used in one year, they can be carried over to the next year and included in the five for that next calendar year.
4. How can we help you get back on your feet?
If you have questions about our podiatry services or the Medicare rebate, please email our friendly and experienced podiatrists at admin@regangillespiepodiatry.com.au
Regan Gillespie Podiatry offers friendly podiatry services for the whole family in convenient locations on Brisbane Northside. We provide all aspects of podiatric care including paediatric care, general foot care, orthotic therapy, ingrown toenail surgery/management and injury management.
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