FUNDING
Medicare:
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The client will be eligible for a Medicare rebate when first accessing Speech Pathology and Psychology services. You can obtain a Medicare Plan from your GP or Paediatrician prior to your first session in order to claim the rebate. The Medicare Plan will include a referral to a Speech pathologist or Psychologist and usually provides a rebate for five 30 minute sessions. Please note that the rebate does not always over the entire cost of the session, and you may be out of pocket.
The following is an outline of some other Medicare rebates available when receiving Speech Pathology or Psychology services:
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CDMP – Chronic Disease Management Plan
(formerly known as Enhanced Primary Care (EPC))
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The Chronic Disease Management scheme is initiated by your General Practitioner and available to children and adults with Chronic Care needs. People with Autism are automatically eligible for the CDM because an Autism Spectrum Disorder is a chronic condition.
The Medicare rebate is available for 5 sessions of Allied Health therapy, including Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy, per calendar year.
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Please note that CDM plans are ONLY allowed to be used for Individual Therapy sessions. The CDM Plan does not allow for Group Therapy sessions, including Social Skills Groups, to be claimed by Medicare. For more information about the CDM program you can download the following Information Sheets from Medicare and Speech Pathology Australia or speak to your General Practitioner.
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Helping Children With Autism Medicare Rebates 0-13yrs
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In July 2008 the Federal Government introduced the Helping Children With Autism (H.C.W.A) Initiative. Under this initiative, it is now possible for families to claim rebates from Medicare for Assessment and Treatment for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, providing a referral has been made by a Paediatrician.
The paediatrician can allocate up to 4 sessions for assessment for which rebates are available up until the child turns 13 years of age.
For further information on these schemes, links to the following website Information Sheets will be helpful:
Speech Pathology Australia
Amaze (Autism Victoria)
Medicare Australia
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Private Health Insurance:
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Now We're Talking Speech Pathology Services allows you to claim through your private health extras.
Depending on your private health fund, you may be eligible for a private health rebate from your Speech Pathology or Psychology sessions. In order to claim a rebate, you can present your receipt to your private health fund and they will organise the rebate to your nominated account.
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Your eligibility for a rebate and amount will depend on your specific health coverage. Private health rebates do alter and coverage may be different depending on when you purchased your private health insurance. Coverage also has annual limits that you will need to check with your private health fund.
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Funding under the NDIS:
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NDIS is a national funding scheme being rolled out across the disability sector in Australia over the next few years.
NDIS offers an information and referral service to any Australian 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.
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You can decide whether to manage the funds yourself (“self-managed”) or you can ask the NDIS to manage these funds for you.
Now We’re Talking is not an NDIA Registered provider; however we welcome Self Managed and Plan Managed clients..
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Contact us for more information or visit the NDIS website at https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/families-and-carers