Allied health practitioners must register with Medicare to be eligible to provide services under the following initiatives.
Chronic Disease Management
Under Medicare Chronic Disease Management, chronically ill patients who are being managed by their general practitioner (GP) under a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement can access Medicare benefits for allied health services.
GP referral forms, Referral Form for Chronic Disease Allied Health (Individual) Services under Medicare issued by the Department are available on the Department of Health website.
Better access
The Better Access initiative provides improved access to mental health practitioners for patient’s through Medicare.
Under this initiative, Medicare benefits are available for selected mental health services provided by GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical and registered, eligible social workers and occupational therapists.
Read more about the Better Access initiative on the Department of Health website.
Better Start for Children with Disability
This initiative began on 1 July 2011. Under this initiative Medicare benefits are available for the early diagnosis and treatment of children with an eligible disability.
Read about the Better Start for Children with Disability on the Department of Health website.
Helping Children with Autism
This program began on 1 July 2008. Under this program Medicare benefits are available for assessment, diagnosis and the creation of a treatment and management plan for children with autism or other pervasive developmental disorder.
Children with both an eligible disability and autism or other pervasive developmental disorder can access the Better Start for Children with Disability initiative or the Helping Children with Autism program, but not both.
Read more about the Helping Children with Autism Program on the Department of Health website.