Medicare

Eligibility

To be eligible, you'll need a chronic condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, 6 months or more. Common examples include chronic back or neck pain, arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and other ongoing musculoskeletal conditions. Your GP will assess whether a GPCCMP is appropriate for you and complete the referral on your behalf.

If you're unsure whether your condition qualifies, the best place to start is a conversation with your GP.

What is covered

Once referred, you're eligible for up to 5 Medicare-subsidised allied health sessions per calendar year. These can be used entirely with one provider, or split across multiple disciplines — for example, 3 physiotherapy sessions and 2 exercise physiology sessions. Unused sessions do not roll over to the following year.

We accept GPCCMP referrals for both physiotherapy and exercise physiology.

Working with your GP

We believe the best outcomes happen when your treating team is on the same page. Depending on your condition and progress, we'll communicate with your GP throughout your care — this may be a formal written report or a more informal update. You'll always be kept in the loop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to bring?

Just your referral form from your GP — we'll take care of the rest. If you don't have it on hand, contact your GP's clinic and they can resend it directly to us or provide you with a copy.

My GP told me I get 5 free sessions — why isn't it free?

This is one of the most common questions we hear, and it's completely understandable! Unfortunately, "free" is a bit of a myth — what Medicare actually provides is a partial rebate of $61.80 towards the cost of your session, not full coverage.

Your GP may use the word "free" because historically, bulk billing was more viable for allied health providers. However, the Medicare rebate for allied health has unfortunately not kept pace with inflation and costs of providing care over the past decade or so, making bulk billing no longer sustainable without significantly cutting appointment times and compromising the quality of care we provide. We believe our clients deserve thorough, unhurried appointments, and that means we simply can't absorb the gap between the rebate and the real cost of delivering that standard of care.

Therefore, our process is, the full fee is payable on the day, and we'll process your Medicare claim on the spot. The $61.80 rebate lands in your bank account within 1 business day, reducing your out-of-pocket cost significantly.

My GP still calls it an EPC — is that the same thing?

Yes! Many GPs still use the term "EPC" out of habit. The official program name changed to the GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) in July 2025, but it works the same way. If your GP has given you a care plan referral, bring it along and we'll take care of the rest.

What conditions are covered?

Any chronic condition lasting 6 months or more, such as chronic back pain, arthritis, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease, may be eligible. Your GP will determine if a care plan is right for you.

Can I split my 5 sessions across different providers?

Yes. Your 5 sessions can be used with one provider or split across multiple allied health disciplines. Unused sessions don't roll over to the next year.