Question 1

Telehealth

Accepted Answer

Helping you stay connected Kristen is available for both in person (face to face) and Telehealth sessions with families. Telehealth, also known as online therapy is a way we can provide services to families who may find it difficult to attend the clinic at Barefoot Therapists in Main Ridge in person or are unable to attend in person. We use video- teleconferencing and audio sessions via Zoom for families within Melbourne, or those that are rural, remote or interstate.

Question 2

Funding – Accepting adult or child funding sources for services

Accepted Answer

The Mindful Movement centre operates services for families as a private clinic within Barefoot Therapists and fees are applicable for all assessments and treatments. Dependant on the service you are receiving, we can accept either adult, or child funding sources, or both. Many of our clients are eligible for rebates under Medicare rebate programs, such as Mental health care plans and Chronic disease management plans, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), or Private Health.  We also see families through a range of other funding providers & schemes including Helping Children with Autism, Better Start, VOCAT and Workcover/TAC. With several government funding sources, (such as Medicare), there may be a gap payment to be made by you, between the rebate and our fees. In times of financial distress we may be able to bulk bill your Medicare therapy sessions. For information, advice or our current rates please contact Barefoot Therapists

Question 3

THE NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME (NDIS) – Adult or Child

Accepted Answer

NDIS is a national funding scheme for the disability sector in Australia. NDIS offers an information and referral service to any Australian (aged 0-65 years) with any level of disability, including access to specialist disability support services. If eligible for NDIS, your child will receive funding on an annual basis to buy the services and aids your child needs to achieve your goals and achieve optimal independence. You can decide whether to manage the funds yourself (Self-Managed) or you can ask a Plan Manager or the NDIS to manage these funds for you. You can access this funding currently if you meet the approval criteria.  Please see the NDIS website for further details on the criteria.  Once you are sure you meet the criteria or even if you are a bit uncertain, call the NDIS for further details. Please see the NDIS website for further information: NDIS Information for Families or call 1800 800 100 and speak with a representative of NDIS.

Question 4

Medicare MENTAL HEALTH PLAN – Adult or Child

Accepted Answer

The Mental Health Plan (MHP) is a Medicare-rebated funding program for people who have mental health conditions (anxiety, depression etc.) It consists of up to 20 rebates per calendar year for Mental Health Occupational Therapy, or mental health SW, or Psychology services and multiple therapist can be on one plan. Additional to the 20 sessions per calendar year, are 10 group sessions. There is a gap payment to pay between the rebate and our fees. You or your child may be eligible for this funding package if you or your child are experiencing mental health difficulties, or have a diagnosis, and if this condition is being managed by your GP or Mental Health Provider. You will need to visit your GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist to discuss eligibility. Once deemed eligible, your GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist will complete paperwork which they will either give to you to bring into us or they can fax the form to us. (Please note that when visiting your health provider to discuss eligibility for the Mental Health Plan or other Medicare initiatives, ask for an extended appointment time as there may be considerable paperwork involved.) You are then entitled to claim under this program provided your GP/health provider has registered your plan with Medicare. Sessions are paid for as usual and a claim can be processed at Reception, or you can take your receipt to Medicare for the rebate.  If you are experiencing financial distress, please ask Kristen about Bulk Billing your Medicare funded service

Question 5

Medicare CHRONIC DISEASES MANAGEMENT PLAN – Adult or Child

Accepted Answer

The Chronic Diseases Management Plan (CDM) is a Medicare-rebated funding program for people who have any chronic medical conditions (classified as a condition that has been present for at least 6 months, e.g Asthma). It consists of 5 (maximum) rebates per calendar year for Allied Health services (ie. Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Psychology). If you are accessing more than one type of therapy you are entitled to share the CDM sessions across the therapists (ie. not 5 rebates per service). There is a gap payment to pay between the rebate and our fees.  You or your child may be eligible for this funding package if you or your child have a chronic medical condition and if this condition is being managed by your GP under a Chronic Diseases Management Plan. This plan is established by your GP and your therapist (Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist and/or Psychologist) is invited to participate in your care under this plan. Your GP will either give the form to you to bring into the clinic or they can fax the form to us. You are then entitled to claim under this program provided your GP has registered your plan with Medicare. Sessions are paid for as usual and a claim can be processed at Reception, or you can take your receipt to Medicare for the rebate   If you are experiencing financial distress please ask Kristen about Bulk Billing

Question 6

Private Health – Adult of Child

Accepted Answer

We are registered with most of the leading Private Health Care insurers. Generally, allied health services or occupational therapy will need to be listed as an option on your policy for you to be covered for them and coverage varies between providers. HiCaps is available for you to electronically claim on the spot. If your provider is not registered with HiCaps you will need to utilise other payment options and then follow up your rebate with your provider.

Question 7

Medicare AUTISM INITIATIVE – PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY (PDD) - Child

Accepted Answer

The Autism Initiative (PDD) is a Medicare-rebated funding scheme that has been put in place to help fund assessment and therapy for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Pervasive Developmental Delay (PDD). The funding scheme provides funding for eligible children to access 4 sessions for assessment and 20 sessions for therapy with Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists or Psychologists. This funding is eligible to be used for children up to the age of 13 but can be used only once (cannot be claimed again). Children up to the age of 15 may be eligible for treatment funding only if they have a prior diagnosis of ASD or PDD.You will need to speak with your GP who will provide you with a referral to a Consultant Paediatrician or Consultant Psychiatrist. If the Paediatrician or Psychiatrist decides further investigation is required they may then refer you to one or more allied health professionals (psychologists, speech pathologists or occupational therapists) to assist their diagnosis.

Question 8

THE BETTER START FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY (BETTER START) INITIATIVE - Child

Accepted Answer

Better Start is a funding scheme that allows children with developmental disabilities to access funding for early intervention services. Eligible children diagnosed with Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Fragile X syndrome, or a moderate or greater vision or hearing impairment, including deaf-blindness, Prader Willi syndrome, Williams syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Kabuki syndrome, Smith-Magenis syndrome, CHARGE syndrome, Cornelia de Lange syndrome, Cri du Chat syndrome, Microcephaly or Rett’s Disorder will have access to funding and new Medicare items under the Better Start for Children with Disability initiative. The initiative includes the following components: Funding for early intervention services and treatments for eligible children under the age of six Medicare items for the development of a treatment and management plan for eligible children under the age of 13 Medicare items for up to four allied health diagnostic services and for 20 relevant allied health services (in total) for eligible children up to the age of 15 (provided the treatment and management plan is in place before the age of 13). Parents or carers of eligible children will need to register their child for the Better Start initiative before they turn six in order to access the early intervention funding. Carers Victoria is the overseeing body for the Better Start program in Victoria. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed your Paediatrician will provide paperwork which you then provide to Carers Victoria as part of your application for funding. Contact the Better Start Registration and Information Service (RIS) on 1800 242 636 or email betterstart@carersvictoria.org.au and ask about the Better Start program.

Question 9

WORKCOVER OR TAC – Adult or Child

Accepted Answer

Workcover and TAC may provide funding for you to access our services. Please let us know when you call if you are planning on using this funding to pay for therapy services as there may be a gap payment required.

Question 10

VICTIMS OF CRIME (VOCAT) – Adult or Child

Accepted Answer

If you have been the victim of a crime you and/or your child may be eligible for financial assistance for your therapy when assistance from another program is not available. To find out more, visit the Victims of Crime website to apply www.vocat.vic.gov.au

Question 11

DVA

Accepted Answer

Please let us know when you call to make an appointment if you are planning on using this funding to pay for therapy services as there may be a gap payment required. Please refer to https://www.dva.gov.au/health-and-treatment/injury-or-health-treatments/health-services/occupational-therapy

Question 12

OTHER

Accepted Answer

Funding may also come from various other services to cover the full or partial cost of seesions, including funding packages from not for profit organisations for eligible clients, such as OZChild, Anglicare, Carers Victoria, etc.

Funding & Telehealth

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