Can I Use Medicare For A Podiatrist?
Did you know you can actually use Medicare for podiatry? Do you want to know whether a Medicare rebate is applicable when you visit a podiatrist? There is a lot of misinformation regarding the applicability of Medicare rebates when it comes to podiatry. With this in mind, let’s take a look into this in a bit more detail.
Can I Use Medicare for Podiatry?
The simple answer is, yes. You can use Medicare for podiatry. However, things aren’t quite as straightforward as you would assume.
The program that makes this possible is known as the Chronic Disease Management Program. It is also known by various other names such as the Enhanced Primary Care Plan and the Team Care Arrangement.
However, it has certain criteria which need to be met before you become eligible for this rebate. As the name implies, you need to have a chronic condition which means you should have suffered from this condition for at least 3 months.
Another condition is that you should have a referral from the GP who sends it to a particular podiatric clinic.
How Many Visits Do You Get?
While you are eligible for Medicare for podiatry, it does not mean that you can visit as many times as you want. There is a limit which is the case with every government program. Under this program, the patient is allowed up to 5 consultations within a calendar year.
The key here is that these 5 consultations can be to any referred allied health practitioner. It may include physiotherapy, speech pathology, or podiatry, among others. Everything depends on your GP’s referral.
These 5 visits are limited to one calendar year and will get renewed at the start of the next year. However, you will then need another referral from your GP to become eligible for this rebate.
How Much Money Do You Save?
Let’s get to the most important part which is the amount of money you will save with the Medicare rebate. As of now, you are eligible for a rebate of $53.80 per consultation period. In short, you’ll get a rebate of $53.80 for an initial consultation as well as subsequent visits. And you get a total of 5 of these rebates in one calendar year.
How Does the Process Work?
The process can be confusing. You will have to take your Medicare card along with you to the clinic. The clinic will swipe the card and access the available rebate. This rebate will be a part of your consultation fee depending on the actual fee you need to pay. In most cases, clinics allow you to pay only the gap fee with a debit card, credit card or cash.
In some clinics, you will be asked to pay the full fee through a debit card, credit card or cash. If your bank details are registered with Medicare, the clinic will swipe your card and you will immediately get the rebate money into your account.
Summary
Overall, you are eligible to get a Medicare rebate for podiatry. This rebate program is available under the CDM program. You need to meet certain eligibility criteria to be able to access this rebate.
You need to have a chronic condition which means the condition needs to exist for at least 3 months and you will also need the referral of your GP to a specific clinic. You are eligible to get up to 5 rebates per calendar year. This rebate is reset at the start of every new calendar year but you will also need a fresh referral for each year.
Upwell Health Collective believes in providing a detailed treatment path to all its patients focused on determining the root cause of their problem and spending as much time as necessary to help them get better. Our team of podiatrists will work with you to determine the best possible treatment for your specific requirements.
Please get in touch with us at Upwell Health on (03) 8849 9096 or book an appointment today.