Funding Options
Private Health Insurance
If you hold private health insurance with Extras cover, you may be able to claim a rebate on allied health services at Therapy Hub. We process claims on the spot via HICAPS so you only pay the gap at the time of your appointment.
About Private Health Insurance
Using Your Extras Cover at Therapy Hub
Private health insurance in Australia includes two main types of cover: hospital cover, which assists with the cost of in-hospital treatment, and Extras cover (also called ancillary cover), which covers a range of out-of-hospital health services including allied health. If you have Extras cover, you may be eligible to claim a rebate on occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, and psychology services at Therapy Hub.
Unlike most other funding schemes, private health insurance does not require a GP referral to access allied health services. You can book directly with us and claim your rebate on the spot via HICAPS at the time of your appointment. You will pay only the gap, which is the difference between our fee and your fund's rebate for that service.
Rebates, annual limits, and covered services vary significantly between funds and policy levels. We strongly recommend contacting your health fund before your appointment to confirm what is covered under your specific policy. Our admin team is also happy to help. Call us on (08) 6384 7040 or enquire online.
What May Be Covered
Allied Health Services Under Extras Cover
Most Extras policies cover some allied health services, but the rebate amount, annual limits, and which disciplines are included depend on your specific fund and level of cover. Here is a general guide to what to expect for each service we offer.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is one of the most widely covered allied health services under Extras policies. Most funds include physiotherapy at various cover levels, with rebates typically ranging from a fixed dollar amount per session to a percentage of the fee, subject to an annual limit.
Speech Pathology
Speech pathology is covered under many mid-to-higher tier Extras policies. It is typically included alongside occupational therapy under a combined allied health limit. Coverage may require the speech pathologist to have professional body membership with Speech Pathology Australia.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is included under many Extras policies, typically at mid-to-higher cover levels. It is often grouped with other allied health disciplines under a combined annual limit. Coverage is more common where OT is treating a medically diagnosable condition.
Psychology
Psychology coverage under Extras varies significantly. Some funds include psychology under allied health benefits, while others exclude it or cover it only at the highest tier. It is important to check with your fund specifically about psychology cover before booking.
The information above is a general guide only. Coverage, rebate amounts, and annual limits differ between every fund and policy. Always contact your health fund directly to confirm your entitlements before your appointment. Therapy Hub staff are not able to confirm your specific rebate amounts.
Important Things to Know
Before You Use Your Extras Cover
Private health insurance can be a great way to offset the cost of allied health care, but there are a few things worth checking before your first appointment.
Waiting periods
Most health funds impose a waiting period before you can claim Extras benefits after joining or upgrading your level of cover. Waiting periods for allied health are commonly two months, but can vary. Check whether your waiting period has been served before booking.
Annual limits
Extras policies have annual limits — either a dollar cap per discipline, a combined allied health cap, or a maximum number of sessions per year. Once you reach your limit, no further rebate is available until your policy resets, which is usually on 1 January or your policy anniversary date.
Gap payments
Your health fund rebate may not cover the full cost of your session. The gap is the difference between our fee and what your fund pays. The size of the gap depends on your policy, your fund, and the service. You will pay the gap on the spot at the time of your appointment.
Provider recognition
To claim a rebate, your treating clinician may need to hold specific credentials or be recognised by your health fund. All Therapy Hub clinicians hold relevant professional registrations and memberships. If you have any concerns, contact us before your appointment and we can confirm.
Combining with Medicare
Private health insurance Extras cover and Medicare cannot be used for the same service at the same time. However, if you have a Medicare Care Plan for allied health, you can use your Medicare rebate for those sessions and use your Extras cover for additional sessions once your Medicare entitlement is exhausted.
Telehealth claiming
Some health funds allow Extras rebates for telehealth allied health sessions, but this varies by fund and policy. If you plan to access Therapy Hub services via telehealth and wish to claim on your Extras cover, check with your fund in advance to confirm whether telehealth is claimable under your policy.
How to Claim
Claiming Your Rebate at Therapy Hub
Claiming your private health insurance rebate at Therapy Hub is simple. Here is how it works.
Contact your health fund to confirm that the service you need is covered under your Extras policy, that your waiting period has been served, and how much rebate you are entitled to per session. This helps you understand what you will pay on the day.
Book online or call our admin team on (08) 6384 7040. No GP referral is needed to access allied health services under private health insurance. Simply book the service you need and let us know you will be claiming on your Extras cover.
Bring your private health insurance card to your appointment, or have your digital membership card ready on your phone. We process Extras claims on the spot via HICAPS, which connects directly to your health fund in real time.
At the end of your appointment, we swipe your health fund card through our HICAPS terminal. Your fund's rebate is deducted from the total fee automatically, and you pay only the gap. No need to submit a claim form or wait for a reimbursement.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to use my Extras cover?
No. Unlike Medicare-funded allied health services, private health insurance Extras cover does not require a GP referral. You can book directly with Therapy Hub and claim your rebate on the spot.
How do I know how much my rebate will be?
Rebate amounts vary by fund and policy level. The best way to find out is to contact your health fund directly before your appointment and ask how much they pay per session for the specific service you need.
What if I have already used my annual limit?
If you have reached your annual Extras limit for a particular service, no further rebate will be available until your policy resets. You are still welcome to attend appointments and pay privately. Contact our admin team to discuss our standard fees.
Can I claim psychology on my Extras cover?
It depends on your fund and level of cover. Some funds include psychology in their Extras benefits, while others exclude it or only cover it at higher tiers. Check with your fund directly. Note that if you have a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan, those sessions are claimed through Medicare, not private health insurance.
Can I use my Extras cover for telehealth sessions?
Some funds allow Extras rebates for telehealth allied health sessions, but this varies. Check with your health fund before your first telehealth appointment to confirm whether your policy covers remote sessions.
What if my fund is not listed on the HICAPS terminal?
All major Australian health funds are supported by HICAPS. If for any reason on-the-spot claiming is not available for your fund, we can provide you with a detailed receipt that you can submit manually to your health fund for reimbursement via their app, online portal, or by post.
Ready to Get Started?
Book an Appointment and Use Your Extras Cover
No referral needed. Book online or give us a call and we will take care of the rest. Remember to check your policy with your fund before your first appointment so you know what to expect on the day.
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm AWST. Our admin team is happy to answer any questions about private health claiming before your appointment.