Funding Options
Medicare
Medicare can help cover the cost of allied health services at Therapy Hub through several pathways: a Mental Health Treatment Plan for psychology, a Chronic Disease Management Plan for a range of allied health services, and a dedicated program for children with autism and complex neurodevelopmental conditions. A GP or specialist referral is required for all pathways.
Medicare Pathways
Two Ways to Access Medicare-Funded Allied Health
Medicare provides two main pathways for accessing allied health services. The right pathway for you depends on your condition and the type of support you need. Your GP can help you determine which applies.
Mental Health Treatment Plan
Psychology onlyAlso known as the Better Access initiative, a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) allows eligible Australians to access Medicare rebates for psychology sessions. You must have a diagnosed mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression, or another condition that significantly affects your daily life.
Chronic Disease Management Plan
Allied health including OT, physio and speech pathologyA Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM Plan, formerly known as a Care Plan) allows people with a chronic medical condition to access Medicare-subsidised allied health services. This is the main pathway for accessing Medicare-funded occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech pathology.
If you have both a mental health condition and a chronic physical condition, you may be eligible for both a Mental Health Treatment Plan and a CDM Plan at the same time. Speak with your GP about which pathway, or combination of pathways, is right for your situation.
What We Offer
Medicare-Funded Services at Therapy Hub
Here is how each of our services relates to Medicare funding, and which plan you will need to access them.
Psychology
Psychology is the most commonly accessed service under Medicare at Therapy Hub. You can access rebated sessions through a Mental Health Treatment Plan (up to 10 sessions per year) or a CDM Plan if your mental health concerns are related to a chronic physical condition (up to 5 shared sessions per year).
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is available under Medicare through a CDM Plan, for clients with a chronic or complex physical condition such as chronic pain, arthritis, neurological conditions, or post-stroke rehabilitation. Your GP must refer you specifically to physiotherapy as part of your plan.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is available under Medicare through a CDM Plan, for clients with a chronic or complex medical condition affecting daily functioning. OT sessions are included in the 5-session annual limit and are shared with any other allied health disciplines on your plan.
Speech Pathology
Speech pathology is available under Medicare through a CDM Plan for clients with a chronic condition affecting communication or swallowing, such as a neurological condition, acquired brain injury, or progressive condition. Sessions count towards the shared 5-session annual limit.
Children and Young People
Medicare for Autism and Complex Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Medicare has a dedicated pathway for children and young people with autism and other complex neurodevelopmental conditions. This is separate from the CDM Plan and Mental Health Treatment Plan and provides access to both assessment and treatment sessions under the one program.
The Complex Neurodevelopmental Conditions (CNC) program provides Medicare rebates for assessment and treatment services for eligible children and young people. It covers occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology, physiotherapy, and audiology, and is designed to support children from the point of assessment and diagnosis through to ongoing therapeutic intervention.
This program requires a referral from a paediatrician or psychiatrist, not a GP. If your child has been referred to a paediatrician and a diagnosis of autism or another complex neurodevelopmental condition is made, the paediatrician can develop a treatment and management plan and refer your child to Therapy Hub for funded sessions.
Assessment Sessions
Before a formal diagnosis is made, your child's paediatrician or psychiatrist can refer them to allied health professionals to assist with the assessment and diagnostic process.
Treatment Sessions
Once a diagnosis has been made and a treatment and management plan has been developed by the paediatrician or psychiatrist, your child can access funded therapy sessions at Therapy Hub.
Therapy Hub services available under this program
Please note: This is a once-in-a-lifetime entitlement, not an annual one. The 20 treatment sessions and 8 assessment sessions are available once in total, not per year. Many families also access NDIS funding alongside or after these Medicare sessions. If your child is approaching or has already reached the session limit, our admin team can help you explore other funding options including NDIS and private health insurance.
Fees and Rebates
Understanding Your Medicare Rebate
Medicare provides a rebate that covers part of the cost of your session. Here is what you need to know about how fees work at Therapy Hub under Medicare.
How Medicare rebates work
Medicare pays a set rebate for each allied health session. The rebate does not cover the full cost of treatment in most cases. The difference between our fee and the Medicare rebate is called the gap, which you pay out of pocket at the time of your appointment.
Gap fees at Therapy Hub
Therapy Hub charges a gap fee on Medicare-funded sessions. This means you will pay the Medicare rebate portion back into your account after the appointment, and pay our standard session fee on the day. Please contact our admin team before your first appointment to discuss current fees.
Medicare Safety Net
If your out-of-pocket Medicare costs reach a certain threshold in a calendar year, you may become eligible for higher rebates under the Medicare Safety Net for the remainder of that year. Your Medicare app or myGov account will track your progress towards the Safety Net threshold.
Medicare and private health insurance
You cannot use both Medicare and private health insurance for the same session. However, you can use your Medicare sessions first and then switch to your Extras cover once your Medicare entitlement is exhausted, or vice versa. Speak with your clinician about what works best for your situation.
How to Get Started
Accessing Medicare-Funded Services at Therapy Hub
Here is what you need to do to access Medicare-funded allied health services at Therapy Hub.
Book a longer appointment with your GP and let them know you are interested in accessing Medicare-funded allied health services. Your GP will assess your eligibility and, if appropriate, prepare either a Mental Health Treatment Plan or a CDM Plan and provide a referral to Therapy Hub.
Call our admin team on (08) 6384 7040 or book online. Let us know you have a Medicare referral and which type of plan you hold. Our team will confirm your appointment and let you know what to bring on the day.
Bring your GP referral, your Medicare card, and your plan details to your first appointment. We will process your Medicare claim on your behalf at the end of each session. The Medicare rebate will be deposited into your nominated bank account, and you pay the gap on the day.
Under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, your initial referral covers 6 sessions. After these, you will need to return to your GP for a review before accessing the remaining 4 sessions for the calendar year. Your clinician will send a progress report to your GP ahead of this review.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions can I access under Medicare?
Under a Mental Health Treatment Plan you can access up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year. Under a CDM Plan you can access up to 5 allied health sessions per calendar year, shared across all disciplines. Sessions reset on 1 January each year.
Do I need a new plan every year?
Not necessarily. A Mental Health Treatment Plan does not expire, but your GP will typically review it periodically. A new plan should only be created if there has been a significant change in your condition. Your session entitlements reset on 1 January regardless of when your plan was created.
Can I access psychology under both a MHTP and a CDM Plan?
If you have a mental health condition and a separate chronic physical condition, you may be eligible for both plans. Your GP can help you understand whether both apply to your situation and how to access the most appropriate support.
What happens when I use all my Medicare sessions?
Once you have used your annual entitlement, you can continue attending appointments at Therapy Hub and pay the full private fee. You may also be able to use your private health insurance Extras cover for additional sessions. Your sessions will reset on 1 January the following year.
Can I access Medicare-funded sessions via telehealth?
Yes. Both Mental Health Treatment Plan and CDM Plan sessions can be delivered via telehealth at Therapy Hub. Please let our admin team know when booking if you would prefer a telehealth appointment.
What chronic conditions qualify for a CDM Plan?
A chronic condition is one that has been, or is likely to be, present for at least six months. Examples include diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, arthritis, chronic pain, neurological conditions, asthma, and acquired brain injury, among others. Your GP will assess whether your condition qualifies.
Ready to Get Started?
Book a Medicare-Funded Appointment at Therapy Hub
See your GP to get your plan and referral, then give us a call or book online. Our admin team is happy to answer any questions about Medicare funding before your first appointment.
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm AWST. Our admin team can help clarify which Medicare pathway applies to you before your first appointment.