Referrals & Rebates
Health Insurance
At our clinic, we aim to make using your health insurance as simple as possible. We offer on-the-spot claiming through HICAPS or Tyro, so you can claim your rebate immediately and just pay the gap on the day. Please note that every health insurance provider is different, and the rebate amount will vary depending on your insurer and level of cover. This means the out-of-pocket cost can differ between patients, even for the same treatment.
For more involved treatments such as orthotics, minor surgical procedures, or structured rehabilitation programs, we’re happy to provide detailed quotes including item numbers commonly used by private health funds. If you’re undertaking a treatment plan, we can also provide a full written quote upon request. It’s then up to you to contact your health insurer directly to confirm what is covered under your policy, as we are unable to access this information on your behalf. You do not need a referral to see us privately
Veteran's Affairs DVA
We are proud to support our veteran community and provide treatment under the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) scheme. If you hold a DVA Gold or White Card, you may be eligible for fully funded services at our clinic, depending on your card type and condition. Gold Card holders are entitled to clinically necessary treatment for all health conditions, while White Card holders are covered only for specific, DVA-approved conditions related to their service.
Here are the key details about referral requirements for DVA clients accessing Exercise Physiology, Physiotherapy, and Podiatry at our clinic:
Exercise Physiology
Gold Card holders (non‑TPI) and White Card holders require a GP or specialist referral valid for a treatment cycle—up to 12 sessions or 12 months, whichever comes first
TPI Gold Card holders are exempt from the 12-session limit and may access unlimited sessions within the duration of an annual or ongoing referral, as long as clinically necessary
Physiotherapy & Podiatry
All DVA client types (Gold, TPI, and White Card holders) must have a valid referral—from a GP, medical specialist, hospital treating doctor, or discharge planner.
This referral covers up to 12 sessions or 12 months, whichever comes first, and can be renewed for further cycles as needed
Our Clinic Process
We will send you the DVA form to collect your card and referral details before your first appointment.
You’ll also receive pre‑consultation online surveys, which meet DVA reporting guidelines for tracking treatment outcomes.
If you aren’t sure whether your referral is current or how many sessions you’re eligible for, please reach out—we’re here to help ensure a smooth path through DVA-funded care.
My Aged Care (MAC)
Our clinic is proud to support clients who receive government-funded services through My Aged Care (MAC). To access podiatry, physiotherapy, or exercise physiology under MAC, you will need to be registered with a Home Care Package (HCP) provider, such as Barossa Village, Uniting Communities, or Carers and Disability Link. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide MAC-funded services without a package provider coordinating and approving your care.
Before we can proceed with appointments under a Home Care Package, it is essential that we receive written confirmation that the service(s) you wish to access are included in your approved funding. Your package provider can simply email this confirmation to admin@footprinthealth.com.au, specifying which services are approved (e.g., podiatry, physiotherapy, or exercise physiology).
If you are unsure about your eligibility or which services your package covers, we recommend contacting your case manager or care coordinator directly. Once approval is received, we will work closely with you and your provider to ensure smooth, coordinated care that meets your goals and funding requirements.
NDIS
We are proud to support participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and welcome both plan-managed and self-managed clients at our clinic. Whether you’re accessing podiatry, physiotherapy, or exercise physiology, our goal is to provide high-quality, goal-focused care that aligns with your NDIS plan.
Before your first appointment, we will send you an online intake form to complete and will require a copy of your current NDIS plan. This allows our team to ensure your clinical goals are aligned with your NDIS plan goals. Following your initial consultation, we will provide a Service Agreement for you to review and sign before further treatment proceeds.
We are happy to assist with plan review reports, but due to the time involved, we kindly request a minimum of 6 weeks’ notice. These reports can be billed to your NDIS plan where applicable.
For self-managed clients, full payment is required on the day of your appointment. If you’re accessing higher-cost items such as orthotics or specific treatment programs, we can provide a detailed quote in advance to allow you to draw from your plan before the payment is due. Our admin team is always happy to help clarify the process and answer any questions about your NDIS funding and service access. You do not need a referral to see us under the NDIS program.
Workcover
We provide care for clients under WorkCover in South Australia (ReturnToWorkSA) for work-related injuries and conditions. To begin treatment at our clinic, you will need a referral from your GP that outlines your injury and the recommended allied health service—whether that’s podiatry, physiotherapy, or exercise physiology.
Once we receive your referral, we will schedule an initial consultation and assessment to understand your condition and treatment needs. Following this assessment, we are required to submit a treatment plan to your case manager for approval. No further treatment can proceed until this approval is received.
Our team will liaise directly with your case manager to ensure all necessary documentation is submitted promptly, but please be aware that the timeline for approval may vary depending on your insurer. We’ll keep you informed at every step, and once treatment is approved, we will work with you to support your recovery and return to work.
Medicare
Medicare subsidises visits to allied health practitioners to help you manage your chronic conditions.
It can be a really simple process once you understand it, so let us help you wrap your head around Medicare and how it can work for your podiatry and exercise physiology needs.
In Summary
- Yes, you can get a Medicare rebate for Podiatry or Exercise Physiology, using the Medicare Program.
- You need a specific doctor’s referral and the right type of physical condition.
- You can get a rebate for up to 5 visits per year.
- There will always be a small gap fee.
- The full fee is payable on the day and we can process the rebate on-the-spot, straight back onto your debit / savings account.
Can I get a Medicare Rebate for podiatry, exercise physiology or physiotherapy?
YES! You will need to have the referral letter from your GP.
We’d like you to know that often we will recommend more than 5 visits for your care over the year. This is because many conditions require more frequent care. Please discuss this with your clinician.
How many visits will the Medicare Rebate cover?
The Medicare rebate allows for a total of up to 5 subsidised (or rebated) consults to any referred allied health practitioner, per year.
You are only able to claim 5 subsidised visits through Medicare from Jan 1st to Dec 31st each year.
Each referral may have up to 5 subsidised visits per referral.
Each referral expires after 18 months from the date of referral
Please note: These guidelines have been set by Medicare.
How much does the Medicare Rebate cover?
The current Medicare rebate (as at July 2025) is $61.80 per consult, regardless of the specific service that you choose.
That means that the rebate is $61.80 for an initial consult, and any subsequent review consults that you might be recommended for you as well.
Unfortunately, we cannot bulk bill Medicare for podiatry or exercise physiology at our practice, so there will always be a small gap payment.
How does the Medicare Rebate process work?
At most clinics including ours, you need to pay the full fee upfront yourself first, and then we can process the Medicare rebate online through our practice management software and get it back to you.
Specifically, here are the steps:
1. You need to pay the full fee on a CREDIT or DEBIT card.
2. We use our Practice management software to submit your paid account to Medicare on your behalf to access the rebate for you
3. Medicare will credit the rebate to your nominated bank account later that day or early the next day.
What if I don’t receive my rebate?
Give us a call and we can check our system to make sure it’s gone through on our end.
However, if our system shows the rebate has been sent to medicare and you still haven’t received it, you will need to call Medicare on 132011.
It is your responsibility to track the number of visits you have used on your care plan with us and other clinics as we are unable to track visits made at other clinics.
If you have any questions at all regarding the CDMP process – please call or email us via admin@footprinthealth.com.au, and we are more than happy to answer them.