Last Updated on 7 March 2024 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
DIETITIAN FOR CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT PLANS
Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) are the experts in food and nutrition, and the only allied health professionals recognised by Medicare to provide medical nutrition therapy. APDs translate scientific nutrition information into personalised, practical dietary advice. They can advise patients on the specific nutritional management of many health conditions and assess their dietary pattern against age appropriate recommendations. Nutrition intervention can considerably improve patient outcomes and should be reviewed by an APD periodically to ensure patients’ needs are met.
Accessing Our Dietitian For Chronic Disease Management Plans Under Medicare
A referral to an APD can be made under a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan for patients with any chronic medical condition that has been (or is likely to be) present for 6 months or longer. If you are currently living with, or have been newly diagnosed with a chronic medical condition, you may be eligible to receive a Medicare rebate on a number of visits to our dietitian under a GP Management Plan arranged by your doctor.
A chronic medical condition is one which is likely to be present for 6 months or longer and includes conditions such as:
Cancer
Cardiovascular Disease
Asthma
Kidney Disease
Diabetes
Stroke
Obesity
Musculoskeletal Conditions
Chronic diseases are often long lasting and have persistent effects on everyday life. It’s important to seek support in how to best manage these conditions to improve your health, wellbeing and overall quality of life. It’s important to note that having one chronic disease puts you at risk for developing an additional chronic medical condition which can lead to increasingly complex management to ensure good health. Research has shown that 1 in 5 Australians are affected by multiple chronic diseases. Many of these conditions require dietary changes to ensure good ongoing management which is why a dietitian is often an important health professional within your health team.
How Can I See Our Dietitian for Chronic Disease Management Plans Under Medicare?
Your doctor (GP) may prompt you to create a management plan for your chronic health condition or you may wish to bring it up with your doctor yourself at your next visit. Your doctor will be able to inform you if you are deemed eligible for the plan or not on the basis of your current health conditions.
By creating a GP Management Plan with your doctor, you will be eligible for up to a maximum of 5 allied health visits across the year which will receive a Medicare rebate. Your doctor will allocate these visits across health professionals you both decide will benefit the management of your condition.
Our Dietitian for Chronic Disease Management Plans is registered with Medicare as an official allied health provider and also with the Dietitians Association of Australia. They are well equipped to receive referrals under this benefits scheme. Your GP may recommend you to see our Dietitian but if this is not the case, you are able to request to be referred to our dietitian at Brisbane Livewell Clinic.
I Have a GP Management Plan – What Next?
Often your doctor’s surgery will fax your management plan over to our office. Our practitioner will then sign the Team Care Arrangement form provided and return this to the surgery to confirm that we are happy to help in the management of your care.
We will then use the contact details on your referral provided to call up and arrange an appointment time with you and provide any information you require regarding the clinic. If instead your doctor has provided you with the referral, please feel free to call the clinic yourself to arrange an appointment time or book online and ensure you bring your referral along to your appointment.
Please note – we are unable to provide you with a Medicare rebate if we do not have a copy of your GP Management Plan at your appointment.
Using Your Allocated Visits
Some allied health providers will provide short consultation times and will not request any additional gap fee for their services outside what Medicare will pay for the session.
Here at Brisbane Livewell Clinic, we provide extended consultation times to ensure you receive the time and support you require to fully understand and improve your condition. This means that you will be required to pay the full fee after the completion of your appointment and will then be able to obtain a Medicare rebate of $52.95 back onto your card on any initial or review appointments you have seen the dietitian for under your plan; resulting in a subsidised fee.
Once your allocated visits have been used, you will be no longer eligible for a Medicare rebate. Please note many private health funds provide rebates for dietetic services under ‘extras’ cover which you are welcome to use after this time for ongoing support in meeting your health goals.
