WA Health System and Insurance Funding Information
Navigating our health system can be a bit of a minefield, so we’ve covered the basics of how you may be able to receive funding for Physiotherapy services here.
Click on the buttons for more information on each service or funding type.
Glossary:
”Rebate” - You pay the full amount up front to the practice and are then refunded a portion after an appointment
“Bulk Bill" - You don’t pay anything and the insurer / fund pays the practice instead.
Medicare Funded Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plans:
Key Points:
GP referred Physio sessions - maximum of 5 per year.
Rebate of ~$60 which you generally claim back after paying the usual session fee.
Medicare Funded GP, Specialist and Scan Rebate Information:
Key Points:
Getting referred back and forth between GPs, specialists and radiology (scan) consults can be time consuming and costly.
Knowing either the most direct route or the cheapest route depending on your needs can be helpful.
DVA (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Key points:
GP / medical referral for Physiotherapy - lasts for 12 sessions or 1 year, whichever finishes first.
These are bulk billed (you don’t pay anything).
Worker's Compensation
Key Points:
Physiotherapy may be provided to workers who have sustained a workplace injury, this is funded through the workplace’s insurance cover.
You’ll need a GP referral, claim acceptance letter and claim number.
Appointments are fully covered by the insurer.
Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation
Key Points:
Physiotherapy may be provided to people who have sustained a motor vehicle injury, including pedestrians. passengers and cyclists injured by a vehicle, through the Insurance Commission of WA (ICWA).
Information regarding claims from ICWA’s site:
(Please ensure to check ICWA’s site for most up to date claims information)
”If you have been injured in a motor vehicle crash, you can make a claim to have approved treatment paid by us. We encourage you to seek treatment from your doctor or a hospital as soon as possible to assist your recovery.
During the claims process, the following occurs:
You report the crash and make a claim.
We send you a confirmation via SMS, email or post and your unique treatment number.
We send you an SMS with a link to access your digital claiming card.
You start using your treatment number, and digital claiming card (if downloaded) to have treatments paid.
A claims management officer is assigned to your claim and assesses the information you have provided.
If we need more information about the crash, we may contact you to ask for more details.
We determine liability for the crash, and if another driver was at fault, the claims officer will approve treatment and let you know what is covered.
Throughout your recovery, we will touch base with you to check on your progress and see if extra treatment is required.
When you have recovered, we will call you to discuss finalising your claim, and confirm in writing.
The claims process duration can vary between people. This is because everyone's experience is different, so every claim is different.”