Osteopathy and Private Health Cover: HICAPS, Rebates and What You’ll Pay

Wondering how osteopathy and private health cover work together in Australia? Here is what usually applies, what we do at the clinic, and what to check.

Money questions are some of the most common ones we get before a first visit. Can I claim? How much will I get back? Do I need a referral? I can’t speak for every health fund, and rules change. So here is what is generally true, what we do, and what to check with your fund.

Do I need a referral for osteopathy?

No. You can book osteopathy at Links Health & Performance directly, online or on 0493 837 172. You don’t need a GP referral.

Do you accept HICAPS?

Yes. HICAPS lets us process your private health claim on the spot. So you only pay the gap, if there is one. Bring your health fund card with you. We can then claim at the end of your appointment, if your policy covers it.

How do osteopathy and private health cover work together?

Most Australian private health funds cover osteopathy under extras cover, also called general treatment. It isn’t universal, though. Whether you’re covered, and for how much, depends on four things:

• Your fund and policy level. Basic extras policies may not include osteopathy. Some hospital-only policies include no extras at all.
• Annual limits. Many policies cap what you can claim each year. Sometimes osteopathy shares a cap with physio and chiro.
• Per-visit limits. Some funds cap the rebate per visit. Some pay more for an initial consultation.
• Waiting periods. If you recently joined or upgraded, you may need to wait before you can claim.

The quickest way to check osteopathy and private health cover is to call your fund or open its app. Ask about “osteopathy” or “osteopathic treatment”.

What about Medicare?

Medicare doesn’t cover osteopathy for everyone, so private health extras are usually where a rebate comes from. However, Medicare can help if your GP prepares a care plan for a chronic condition. You may then be able to claim some visits. Ask your GP whether you’re eligible.

Treatment may run under another scheme, such as a workplace, insurer or government arrangement. If so, call us before you book. Then we can tell you what we can do.

What will I pay?

Fees depend on the appointment type. Initial appointments run for an hour, and follow-ups run for 30 minutes. So they cost differently. Your rebate for osteopathy and private health cover then depends on your fund. Check the booking page or call us on 0493 837 172 for current fees.

How can I make my cover go further?

• Look at your annual limit. If you’re close to your cap, ask us to help plan your visits. We can often focus on getting you strong and independent quickly. That beats an open-ended run of treatments.
• Use your cover before it resets. Benefits usually reset each calendar year or on your policy anniversary, depending on your fund.
• Consider a membership. Want to combine osteopathy with classes or the clinic gym? Our membership includes 10% off osteopathy and physiotherapy.

What counts as good value?

I’ll offer an opinion here. Cheaper per visit isn’t always better value. What you want is the right diagnosis, a plan, and a clear path to needing us less. That’s why our first appointments are longer. It’s also why we aim to get you moving and strengthening. We’d rather not keep you on a treatment treadmill.

Ready to book osteopathy?

You can book an osteopathy appointment online. You can also read more about osteopathy at LinksHP. Coming from Mona Vale or nearby? See how we look after patients from Mona Vale.

This article is general information only and isn’t financial or insurance advice. Rebates and policy rules vary between funds and change over time. So please confirm your cover with your fund. If you have a specific injury, book an assessment rather than self-diagnosing or self-treating from a blog post. However, seek urgent help for sudden severe pain, numbness or weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control.