Can I get a Medicare rebate for my osteopath service fees?

Yes, you can. The program is called CDM (Chronic Disease Management). The rebate is currently (July 1st 2023) $58 per service for a maximum of 5 services in a calendar year.

What is CDM (Chronic Disease Management)?

Chronic medical conditions are those that have been, or are likely to be, present for at least 6 months. This includes:

Who is eligible for a Medicare rebate using CDM?

  • Asthma
  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease
  • Musculoskeletal conditions
  • Stroke

It is important to involve your GP in your healthcare. Your GP can assess your eligibility for this rebate. It is important to include a multidisciplinary team includes:

  • Your GP
  • At least 2 other collaborating health or care providers, one of who may be another medical practitioner.

Here are some examples of people we have seen with a Medicare referral

Babies with

  • feeding dysfunction working with their GP and some of the following, their paediatrician, lactation consultants (IBCLC), maternal nurses (MCHN) and dentists.
  • neck preference, torticollis, plagiocephaly (misshapen head) working with their GP and some of the following , their paediatrician, lactation consultants (IBCLC), maternal nurses (MCHN), physiotherapist, chiropractor, orthotist and occasionally surgeons.
  • developmental dysplasia of the hips (DDH) ) working with their GP and some of the following their paediatrician, orthopaedic specialist, physiotherapist and orthotist.
  • Talipes Equinovarus (clubfoot) working with their GP and some of the following their paediatrician, orthopaedic specialist, physiotherapist and orthotist.
  • Musculoskeletal conditions and pain after surgery.

Young People (Ages 2-18)

  • Ear, Nose and Throat conditions working with their GP and some of the following their paediatrician, ENT, dentist, audiologist, and speech pathologist.
  • Knock knees (genu valgum) working with their GP and some of the following their paediatrician, orthopaedic specialist, podiatrist, physiotherapist and orthotist.
  • Intoeing or toe walking working with their GP and some of the following their paediatrician, orthopaedic specialist, podiatrist, physiotherapist and orthotist.
  • Scoliosis working with their GP and some of the following their paediatrician, orthopaedic specialist, physiotherapist, sports doctor, orthotist.
  • Asthma or diabetes with a Musculoskeletal condition.
  • Musculoskeletal conditions and pain after surgery.
  • Ongoing musculoskeletal conditions like back pain, knee pain, headaches, hip pain and foot pain.
  • Scoliosis working with their GP and some of the following their paediatrician, orthopaedic specialist, physiotherapist, sports doctor, orthotist.
  • Tx Kyphosis working with their GP and some of the following their paediatrician, orthopaedic specialist, physiotherapist, sports doctor, orthotist.
  • Severs’ disease (calcaneal apophysitis) heel pain in young active population working with their GP and some of the following their paediatrician, orthopaedic specialist, physiotherapist, sports doctor, orthotist.

Pregnant Women and Women Post Partum

  • Ongoing musculoskeletal conditions like back pain, knee pain, headaches working with their GP and some of the following their obstetrician, podiatrist or physiotherapist/chiropractor.
  • Women that have diabetes or high blood pressure during their pregnancy with musculoskeletal conditions working with their GP and some of the following their obstetrician, podiatrist or physiotherapist/chiropractor.
  • Pelvic Pain working with their GP and some of the following their obstetrician, podiatrist or physiotherapist/chiropractor.
  • Breast conditions and pain working with their GP and some of the following their obstetrician, podiatrist or physiotherapist/chiropractor.

Adults

  • People who want to get fit and are overweight, have diabetes or cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal conditions like ankle, knee, hip or back pain working with their GP and some of the following their obstetrician, podiatrist or physiotherapist/chiropractor.
  • Recovering from a surgery and having a musculoskeletal condition.

References

Medicare
Rebates