Frequently asked questions.
Who provides cover for Chronic Care Australia?
NDIS
DVA
Private Health Insurance
Medicare
The Chronic Care Australia team will work with you to determine the most appropriate funding pathway for your care.
What is the difference between a chronic disease management plan and private health?
A chronic disease management (CDM) plan enables your GP to plan and coordinate your health care. This can assist you in gaining access to services that are required for ongoing maintenance of your health issues. As part of a CDM, an individual can gain access to five allied health sessions that are subsidised by the government.
How will I know what pathway to choose?
There are a variety of pathways through Chronic Care Australia that is determined with your clinician upon your initial consultation. Each pathway may vary greatly, depending on the symptoms that you present and the support you require. We offer ongoing 1:1 consultations, 8 and 12 week Exercise Medicine programs in our Care Clinic (both in-person and virtually). We also offer wellness programs and exercise physiology and physiotherapy group training sessions.
What is an Exercise Physiologist?
Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) are university qualified allied health professionals equipped with the knowledge, skills and competencies to design, deliver and evaluate safe and effective exercise interventions for people with acute, sub-acute or chronic medical conditions, injuries or disabilities. Pathology domains covered by the services of exercise physiologists include cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, musculoskeletal, cancers, kidney, respiratory / pulmonary and mental health, and any other conditions for which there is evidence that exercise can improve the client’s clinical status. At Chronic Care Australia, our Accredited Exercise Physiologists work with you both in an individual and group setting to ensure the very best health outcomes and generate the highest health care value experience possible for your mental and physical needs.
References: https://www.essa.org.au/Public/Consumer_Information/What_is_an_Accredited_Exercise_Physiologist_.aspx
What is the difference between an Exercise Physiologist and Physiotherapist?
Both physiotherapists and exercise physiologists are recognised by Medicare, the TAC (transport Accident Commission), WorkCover and private health funds, and both professions require yearly professional development to maintain up to date accreditation. Simply, an exercise physiologist will assess and manage your condition with consideration of your whole health needs. They offer education and support and work with the various stakeholders in your team care arrangement.
A physiotherapist will assess, provide a diagnose and treat your presenting condition through a variety of hands-on skills, education and exercise. They too work with the stakeholders and GPs as part of your team care arrangement.
At Chronic Care Australia we consider the whole of your healthcare needs and our team of allied health professionals, including exercise physiologists and physiotherapists, work together to ensure the very best health outcomes and highest healthcare value is delivered. We work with GPs and specialists as part of your team care arrangement, putting the patient needs at the centre of the healthcare system.
Unique aspects of physiotherapy
Physiotherapists work across all phases of injuries from acute, to sub-acute, to chronic. Early intervention is key to a shorter recovery and better client outcomes. The acute phase of an injury is often associated with pain, swelling, bruising and restriction in movement and function. This is a great time to check in with your physiotherapist for assessment and commencement of intervention. Physiotherapists deliver soft tissue mobilisation through massage, dry needling, and ultrasounds, but also at times prescribe self-massage techniques. Physiotherapists are able to deliver an injury diagnosis and prognosis, while exercise physiologists usually receive this diagnosis and then deliver the rehabilitation prognosis.
Unique aspects of exercise physiology
Exercise physiologists deliver instruction and education on trigger point therapy and self-massage techniques, using equipment such as foam rollers and trigger point balls. Exercise physiologists typically specialise in providing lifestyle education and lifestyle modification techniques to support individuals with a wide range of chronic health conditions (such as cancer recovery, diabetes, respiratory conditions, mental health conditions and cardiac-related conditions) to promote and improve health and wellness and decrease their risk of all-cause morbidity. Exercise physiologists will work with you to consider the how and the why of your circumstances so that both can be addressed and help to prevent future recurrence. Exercise physiologists can also work with you to develop individually tailored exercise plans to help you achieve the very best health outcomes and generate the highest health care value experience possible.
References: Sports Care and Physiotherapy, https://www.sportscarephysio.com.au/the-difference-between-a-physiotherapist-and-an-exercise-physiologist/
All of the Allied Health service providers that work at Chronic Care Australia go through a rigorous induction program and work as part of a clinically proven model of care that has been recognised with a global award from the European Valued Based Health Care Centre. This unique model of care is what sets us apart from other service providers.
Do I need to see an exercise physiologist or a physiotherapist?
Our model of care ensures you don’t have to worry about making these decisions. Our triage process ensures that you are referred to the appropriate allied health service provider for your needs as you travel through your exercise medicine treatment plan.
Am I entitled to Private Health?
As Allied Health Professionals, all of our individual consultations and group training classes are claimable through private health. The rebate that you receive is dependent on your cover.
Exercise Physiology Codes
102 Initial Session – once only per course of treatment 45 min INITIAL CONS
202 Standard Consultation 30 – 60 minutes STANDARD CONS
302 Extended Consultation > 60 minutes EXTENDED CONS
402 Standard consultation requiring travel TRAVEL CONS
502 Group Session 60 minutes (maximum of 8 people) GROUP SESSION
Physiotherapy Codes
500 Assessment Consultation 45 min INITIAL CONS
505 Subsequent Consultation 30 – 60 minutes STANDARD CONS
Can I claim through Medicare?
Patients that have a chronic disease management plan through their GP are entitled to five allied health sessions and receive a rebate of $54.60 from Medicare.
Have you recently been diagnosed with a chronic condition?
At Chronic Care Australia we spend time listening, observing and understanding your individual healthcare needs. Our Chronic care triage system and practices are designed to give you the best possible outcomes in the most time efficient manor - so you can live well for longer.
Are you requiring ongoing management of a chronic condition?
Chronic conditions require ongoing management and constant observation. At Chronic Care Australia we monitor and record your key biomarkers every time you visit. We then notify your GP and specialists of any significant changes to your conditions. This helps to increase your treatment effectiveness and minimised unnecessary GP and hospital presentations.