Medicare Funded Allied Health Rehabilitation & Therapy
We provide Medicare-funded allied health rehabilitation therapy to help South Australians manage chronic health conditions and long-term injuries.
Understanding Medicare Item Numbers for Allied Health Services
If you require Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, or Exercise Physiology, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates through a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan, previously known as an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Plan. These rebates help reduce the cost of allied health services when referred by your General Practitioner (GP).
Services Provided Under a CDM Plan by Adelaide Wellbeing Society:
- Occupational Therapy (OT): Helps build daily living, fine motor, and self-care skills, and recommends adaptive equipment or home modifications.
- Speech Pathology (SP): Addresses communication, speech sound, language, stuttering, and swallowing difficulties.
- Exercise Physiology (EP): Designs targeted physical activity programs to improve strength, movement, and management of chronic physical or metabolic conditions.
How many sessions can I get?
You can receive up to 5 rebated sessions per calendar year. This total is shared across all your referred allied health providers. For example, you could use 3 sessions for Speech Pathology and 2 sessions for Occupational Therapy.
Who is eligible for a CDM plan?
Anyone of any age—from infants to older adults—with a chronic medical condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 6 months. It must also require a multidisciplinary team approach involving your GP and at least two other health professionals.
Can children access these services?
Yes. Children with developmental delays, autism, cerebral palsy, chronic speech difficulties, or motor coordination challenges are often eligible. The plan helps families afford vital early intervention from Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists.
Can I use private health insurance and Medicare at the same time?
No. You cannot claim a Medicare rebate and a private health insurance rebate for the same session. You must choose which fund to use for each individual appointment.
How do I get a CDM plan?
You must book a dedicated appointment with your General Practitioner (GP). They will assess your eligibility, prepare the management plan, and issue the specific referral forms required by our therapists.
If you are eligible for a CDM plan, Adelaide Wellbeing Society are happy to help.
If you have any other goals or therapy needs, here at Adelaide Wellbeing Society, we have a range of other services that may help too: