Medicare Plus Programme
In July 2004 the Federal government introduced the Medicare Plus Programme to provide limited cover for patients with long term chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and the like. This programme, has evolved into the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP), and allows up to five visits over the 12-month referral period to be made with allied health care practitioners. Confusingly, only up to 5 visits can be made during the calendar year. Because it is usual for the start dates of the referral year and the calendar year will be different, it is important for all involved to try to keep track of the number of visits that have been taken under the CDMP and when they occurred. This programme is not means tested. Please contact us for current Medicare rebate advice.
If you think that you would benefit from this programme you should speak with your doctor about your healthcare needs for the coming 12 months as required by the CDMP. This is good medical practise anyway. If you are deemed by your doctor to be eligible for the CDMP, your doctor then complete and register the new combined GP Management Team Care Arrangement plan (MBS items 721 and 723) including your need for foot care with your nominated practitioner and then register same with Medicare Australia.
Once you have then received the service from the nominated practitioner and have paid the fee, we will then submit your claim to Medicare Australia via our practice management software. You will then receive the Medicare rebate to your nominated bank account – almost always the next day. We will provide you with a high level of foot care and we will furnish your doctor with detailed reports regarding your treatment and progress.
It is important to be aware that whilst some practices bulk bill for the services that they provide, at the Brunswick and the Sandringham Foot Clinics we do not. The payment of our usual fee is made at the end of each visit to our clinic. We will immediately process those claims through to Medicare. Then, usually you will receive your rebate from Medicare before breakfast the next day.
For those of you who are not eligible for the CDMP, we can process your private health fund rebates through our HICAPS system.
Brunswick Foot Clinic and Sandringham Foot Clinic provide podiatric care for locals of and visitors to greater Melbourne, including Coburg, Hampton, Cheltenham, Moorabin, Highett, Brighton and Blackrock.
