Tag: bulk billing physio

Understand more about WorkCover Physiotherapy Treatment and how to apply for bulk billing.

Being safe at work is the most important thing. It is a responsibility shared by both the employee and the employer. This article offers information about the WorkCover physio program and which conditions are required to become a part of it, information about bulk billing physio and how to apply for the program, and how to make a Medicare claim to get your benefits from non-bulk billing physio services.

Get informed about these useful health service tools and make your visit to the physiotherapist less stressful.

What is WorkCover physio?

WorkCover physio ensures workers who get an injury or illness at the workplace are compensated for medical expenses, lost earnings, and other costs. It helps injured workers achieve a quick and safe return to the working process. Both employer and employee share the responsibility for doing the job safely.

WorkCover physio is the primary regulator for health and safety at work when it comes to all kinds of physiotherapy issues. This insurance is mandatory for most of Australia’s employers. It covers your business for financial costs that you would incur if your worker sustains illness or a work-related injury.

WorkCover physio covers workers in Australia. Its mission is to provide support and assistance to any workers who sustained a work-related injury or accident during the work (burns, stretches, fractures, sprains, lacerations, or industrial deafness). WorkCover physio packages cover only work-related injuries. For all types of injuries incurred at work, the WorkCover physio policy is applicable. Otherwise, any issue outside of it is not covered.

To achieve a successful WorkCover physio rehab, the process must be collaborative and transparent between all parties including the employer, worker, and WorkCover physio clinic. They have to exchange all necessary information related to the injury and be very transparent with each other.

WorkCover physio treatment usually includes five sessions. Most of the services will be covered by the WorkCover physio program at no cost. Passing the first ones, the worker’s health condition will be subject to re-evaluation and if necessary, the physio specialist will recommend additional ones, until the worker returns to work. WorkCover physio usually covers the full rehabilitation treatment process. Some additional aspects of the process might not be covered by the WorkCover physio framework. It depends on the case.

Realizing the importance of WorkCover physio to the business, the number of employers who apply has begun to grow in recent years. In the following paragraph, learn about how to apply for Workcover physio.

Guide To Applying For WorkCover Physio?

Follow these simple rules in a situation where you need to apply for the WorkCover physio service:

1. Your physiotherapist is the first stop. The injured worker must visit a physio specialist who works with WorkCover physio. He examines the patient and issues a medical certificate.
2. After applying, the employer lodges a report and a recovery plan. The injured worker submits a claim and waits for an answer (approximately 3 weeks). The employer should communicate with the WorkCover physio specialist to get a successful implementation of the rehabilitation process as soon as possible.
3. When the claim has been finalized and the recovery plan ended successfully, the worker returns to work.

What is Bulk Billing Physio?

Bulk billing is a payment option under Australia’s Medicare system of universal health insurance. Its primary purpose is to economically limit medical fees when you visit a physiotherapist. It may cover a prescribed set of health services listed in the Medicare Schedule of Services, at the discretion of the health care provider. The healthcare provider – usually a doctor – receives the fee for outpatient services and scheduled inpatient fees by billing the government to the patient’s Medicare card. The service provider receives a fixed share of the planned fee but avoids the costs and risks of billing and collection. It could be described as a form of factoring.

Bulk billing physio is a part of the general bulk billing insurance that covers only physiotherapy health services, provided by licensed physiotherapists. But, you should know that not all physiotherapists across Australia choose bulk billing. Therefore, it is recommended to check the list of bulk billing physio specialists before making an appointment.

Medicare does not allow billing the patient for a bulk billing co-payment (although it was previously allowed). The bulk billing physio specialist may not charge the patient additional for that service.

Generally, physiotherapists in Australia can choose whether to use bulk billing physio or not. Most often, physiotherapy services in major cities are bulk billed, but less so in rural, regional, and remote areas of Australia where there is a greater shortage of physiotherapists and health services.

Guide To Applying For Bulk Billing Physio

The first step you have to do is to review the list of bulk billing physio specialists to ensure that you will be able to use the benefit. Do your research on the Health Direct Australia official page.

Here is a quick search guide to find bulk billing physio specialists:

• The first step, from the field of SERVICES, select ‘Physiotherapy’
• In the second step, from the field of PREFERENCES, select either ‘Bulk billing (no fees)’ or ‘Bulk billing available. Some additional preferences (accessible parking, toilet, telehealth capable, wheelchair access, free parking) are available to be selected.
• The third step, From the field of LOCATION, write your location. You can also use your current location while you research through mobile.
• In the fourth step, click SEARCH.

A full list of bulk billing physio specialists, according to your search preferences will open. There you can find all the necessary information for them (official website, phone number, location, email, operating hours, etc.).

After you find your bulk billing physio specialist you can get in touch with them through phone or email. It’s better to call to check for availability and schedule an appointment in person. In that way, you will be sure about the day and hour of your booking.

How To Make A Medicare Claim For Non-Bulk Billing Physio Service

If your physiotherapist doesn’t choose bulk bills, you will have to pay for the provided service, but you will still be able to refund the paid funds. It’s called a Mеdicare claim. There are several different ways of making a Medicare claim, so find out how to make it after you have paid your physiotherapist.

1. Make your Medicare claim at the physiotherapist’s office. First, you need to show your Medicare card to the doctor. Аfter you have finished with the payment, ask the physiotherapist if he could make an electronic claim for you. If he can, he will do it immediately. Then, the process will go into processing and the payment of your Medicare benefit will go into either: the account for the EFTPOS card or the bank account you have registered with the clinic. If the payment goes through a bank account you have to give the correct personal information and your bank account. For any changes to your details or your bank account, you must update your Medicare account.

1. Make your Medicare claim online. If your physiotherapist doesn’t claim at his office, you will be able to do it online by either: your Medicare online account or the Express Plus Medicare mobile application. Be aware that only claims newer than 2 years are acceptable.

First, you need to register a Medicare online account to be able to make an online claim. During your registration, you will have to register your bank details. You can finish your claim from your PC or mobile phone through Express Plus Medicare. Keep in mind that you have your receipt and invoice when you start the Medicare claim because you will be asked to fill in some details from it. You can expect the funds in your account to be paid to you within 7 days.

1. Make your Medicare claim through the mail. Another option to make your Medicare claim is by downloading and completing a Medicare claim form with the required information and sending it to the following address – Services Australia, Medicare, GPO Box 9822 in your capital city.

When you submit this type of claim, you will get your refund within 28 days. The payment is performed electronically into the bank account you have registered with the clinic.

1. Make your Medicare claim at the service center. You can also make your claim at one of the service points, all across Australia. You can find the nearest Medicare service center to you at the following link. Visit it and complete your Medicare claim at the service center. The refund will be paid into your bank account within 28 days.

After finishing your claim in any of the above ways, check your bank account occasionally. If you don’t get the benefit into your bank account after the expiry of the stipulated days, it might be possible that your claim is rejected. In that case, you will be timely informed of the reasons for the rejection. Here are some possible ones:

• There is already a previous request for the same case
• Мore details are needed for your claim to be properly assessed
• There is a technical issue or mistake with your claim
• The maximum allowable benefits for the service are already paid

Keep in mind that you will have to prove your payment to support the claim. Without this, you will likely be rejected.

Final thoughts

We hope that we managed to help you to understand how Medicare and Bulk Billing physio work, and some conditions to apply for these services. This article will serve as a guide about how to reduce your cost, whenever you need a physiotherapist’s help.

If you find yourself in the situation of using the services of Workover physio or bulk billing physio, follow the instructions given above and realize your rights.

Your Ultimate Guide to WorkCover and Physiotherapy Treatment.

Care about our health and well-being must be a top priority for each of us. Our health is in our hands” – is not just one of many phrases and proverbs. Self-care is any activity we do to improve our mental, emotional and physical health. Although this almost school definition sounds simple in theory, in everyday life we often overlook it.

If you are scared about visiting a doctor because of expensive costs, you shouldn’t care anymore.  Bulk billing is a service under the Medicare system of universal health insurance that unites health professionals such as specialists, doctors, dentists, optometrists, and other health practitioners. All these health practitioners provide health services to patients at no cost. They accept the Medicare benefit by charging for the service.

The main purpose of bulk billing service is to provide an economic limitation on medical costs. Let’s learn about bulk billing physio and the benefits of using it.

What Is Bulk Billing Physio?

This is a health service provided by a professional physiotherapist at no cost. Bulk billing physio is a non-payment option for patients when they visit a physical therapist. All kinds of treatments like examination, diagnostics, education, massage, and electromagnetic currents are covered. After the treatment is finished, bulk billing physio therapists directly charge Medicare. That means you have no costs for the medical service you got.

You assign the benefit from bulk billing physio by either signing a form and pressing OK on the terminal (EFTPOS) after finishing the visit. Be aware that in case you have more services in the visit, you might not be bulk billed for everyone, so you must pay for non-bulk billed service.

However, some physiotherapists do not accept bulk billing services. Before you make an appointment, check if your physio is bulk billed. To find which physiotherapist’s clinic accepts the bulk billing physio option, follow the instructions below in the article. If your physiotherapist doesn’t use bulk billing physio you will be asked to pay the full cost for your appointment. You may claim some of this money back from Medicare.

Two conditions must be met to be able to use bulk billing physio service:

• You are registered with Medicare
• Your physiotherapist chooses bulk billing physio.

If you are enrolled in the Medicare system you will receive a Medicare card and you need to bring it with you when you go to the doctor.

Here is an example of how bulk billing physio service works:

John went to a physiotherapist to discuss his spine issue. The specialist performed a detailed spine examination, a specially adjusted massage, and used electromagnetic currents on the painful part to relax the nerves in the spine. Afterward, the physiotherapist advised John to get magnetic resonance imaging of the spine and after receiving the imaging to refer again for consultation and further treatment.

The physiotherapist bulk-billed John for the provided health service. This means he didn’t have to pay for the treatment.

John will have to pay for magnetic resonance imaging, due to the service not being covered by the bulk bill.

There will be no need for John to pay for the additional consultation from the physiotherapist after taking the MRI scan.

Benefits Of WorkCover For Physio Treatment

WorkCover physio is a policy that covers Australia’s workers to provide rehabilitation and support for each one who suffered an injury at work or professional disease due to an incident that happens at the workspace. The WorkCover physio program promotes a quick return to work, after injury or illness. Following the motto ‘The earlier and proper physiotherapist’s intervention, the shorter injury recovery and quicker back to work, more and more management all across Australia is registering their workers in the WorkCover physio program. Keep in mind that the package covers injuries that happened during the working process, not beyond that. If you get hurt while performing work tasks, the WorkCover physio will be applicable. Otherwise, if you get hurt after work, the WorkCover physio will not be applicable.

WorkCover physio covers all physical injuries that are incurred within work hours such as fractures, stretches, sprains, lacerations, industrial deafness, or burns. The full process of rehabilitation must be collaborative between all involved parties to get as successful a post-injury period as possible. The triangle between the injured worker, the employer, and the WorkCover physio office must function flawlessly to contribute to a quick return to work duties.

WorkCover physio treatment exempts the employer from any costs related to the worker’s injury. The policy is especially recommended for businesses that have a huge workforce operating in dangerous conditions. The risks of physical injury are quite high and the potential costs are as well. Often the rehabilitation period can be quite long and expensive. In that direction, the WorkCover physio program seems a suitable and affordable option.

The policy covers all costs during the rehabilitation process, from the day that injury occurred to the final back to work. The worker is also released from treatment costs related to the physiotherapist’s health services. The full health package of physio services like examination, massage, and all other services are covered by the WorkCover physio program.

We recommend first looking at the list of local WorkCover physio therapists before you make your claim. Make sure that the physiotherapist you have chosen is a part of the WorkCover physio system. If he does, most of his health services are acknowledged by WorkCover physio. In rare cases, some additional health services may be not covered. You have to check this one with your physiotherapist. In cases where not all health services you get during your visit to a physiotherapist are covered by bulk billing physio, you have to pay the difference between the amount your physiotherapist charges and the amount that is paid by bulk billing physio platform. This kind of payment is known as ‘out of pocket’ or ‘gap payment’.

Plenty of benefits come along with WorkCover physio. A healthy and satisfied workforce is a receipt of business growth. Therefore, use the benefits and apply for WorkCover physio service in your company.

How Can I Get Bulk Billing For My Physio Treatment?

The first step to getting bulk billing when it comes to a physio treatment is checking the list of physiotherapists in your area that are using bulk billing. The second thing as we said before, you have to be enrolled in Medicare.

If the physiotherapist you plan to visit chooses a bulk billing physio option, you have a couple of ways to use the benefit. You can claim the Medicare benefit:

• Directly at the physiotherapist’s office by filling out a form
• Online through your Medicare account
• Using the Express Plus mobile app
• By email

What Are Some Reliable Web Pages Where I Can Get In-Depth Information?

For more details about bulk billing physio payment, we recommend visiting the FRONTIER PHYSIO website where you can get in-depth information about WorkCover physio service and useful tips about applying for bulk billing physio. Also, look at some helpful information about occupational physiotherapy and all benefits it has for the worker’s health. Find out the meaning of that branch of physiotherapy and check whether it might apply to your case.

How To Find A Physio That Provides Bulk Billing?

As we have already clarified in the previous paragraphs, not all physiotherapists in Australia provide bulk billing physio options. Before you make an appointment you should check the list of physiotherapists that offer bulk billing physio to the clients.

If you are interested to find out which ones provide bulk billing physio, visit the official website of Health Direct Australia. With just a few clicks you can find detailed information about which physiotherapy practitioners bulk bill. Follow the instruction step by step about how to get the information:

1. Select ‘Physiotherapy’ from the field of Services
2. Select ‘Bulk billing available’ or ‘Bulk billing (no fees) from the field of Preferences. Here you can select some additional preferences for your search, depending on your needs.
3. Type the location you are searching for
4. Select ‘Search’

A complete list of physiotherapists that provide bulk billing physio for your location will open. All the basic data about physiotherapists you were looking for are available to you (phone number, website, email, location on the map, working hours and working days, whether it is open at the moment, and many additional details).

Also if you need an advanced search for a certain physiotherapist, you can search by name. To make this search you need to select the option ‘By Name’ and you will be available to type the name of the doctor you are looking for.

Final Thoughts

Physiotherapy as a branch of medicine can have a lot of benefits to our well-being and general health. Recently, more people have decided to ask for help from physio specialists when treating certain physical issues.

Don’t miss a chance to grab the benefits that bulk billing physio and WorkCover physio have. Reduce costs to a minimum in cases where a physiotherapy health service is necessary for you.

What Is Workcover Physio and how to apply for bulk billing in Queensland Australia

Just a few years ago, physiotherapy was a discipline or activity that was very little known in society. It is a discipline that uses various physical techniques to restore certain functionality of the human body. It deals with recognizing and increasing the possibilities of movement within the areas of improvement, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.

When it comes to the body suffering from hard work, things are no different. The more a person is exposed to hard physical work, the greater the chances of an injury, which in many cases forces the person to abstain from work for a longer period. It also makes it difficult to perform daily activities.

The only thing that can help in dealing with this type of problem is physiotherapy. The professional observation of the body by the physiotherapist is a basis for determining the physiotherapeutic diagnosis and intervention strategy.

If you need a physio but aren’t sure how Workcover Physio works and how to apply Bulk Billing Physio then this article is for you. We cover in detail how you can benefit from physiotherapy, what is Workcover physio and how you can enjoy the benefits of bulk billing.

Benefits Of Physio

Physiotherapy as a kind of medical service has become more relevant in recent years. People have realized that the body must be priority number one in their lives and have started investing in their health and well-being now more than ever.

Visiting a physiotherapist has many advantages. In particular for those who are exposed to the risks of hard physical work or a sedentary lifestyle. You should not only ask for help when you get some injury, but you should think about visiting physiotherapy preventively. It might be a burden on your wallet, but the benefits are incomparably greater than the cost.

Physical therapy or physiotherapy is a medical method that, according to the definition, uses the energy of nature for the treatment and prevention of various health problems, conditions, and diseases. Most serious injuries or illnesses that make it difficult for you to perform daily activities and limit normal movement can often be alleviated with physical therapy. Sometimes only physical therapy can certainly reduce pain and improve the patient’s quality of life.

From the multitude of benefits brought by physical therapy we single out the following ones: eliminates pain, increases mobility, improves circulation throughout the body, accelerates metabolism, accelerates the healing of sports and other injuries, increases flexibility, improves balance, and so on.

Physical therapy has a huge implication for the workforce. Especially for workers who do hard physical work. Following are the most important benefits workers have from physiotherapy.

• Recovery from injuries – Physical therapy can help with recovery from injuries and prevention so that injuries do not reoccur. It helps to relieve pain in muscles, tendons, or ligaments, strengthens muscles, and increases flexibility and range of motion.
• Physiotherapy helps in preventing the onset of disease – Physiotherapy is usually applied once things have taken a turn for the worse. It is of particular importance to take a proactive approach to improve the well-being of the workforce and manage Physiotherapy has a high knowledge of the health issues caused by poor working habits. Physiotherapists understand the importance of acting preventively, so they can recognize contributing factors that lead to work-related injuries. The physiotherapist understands the working practices and needs of the workers, so they create a strategy specially adjusted to them.
• Making a prompt and correct diagnosis – Hard physical work is closely related to musculoskeletal disorders before the condition becomes chronic. A physiotherapist is trained to notice signs of such a disorder, such as decreased grip strength, loss of limb function, and muscle weakness. He can also identify workers facing such risks and provide them with timely intervention through screening.

What Is Workcover Physio?

Workcover physio is an insurance policy that covers most workers in Australia. Its goal is to provide support and rehabilitation for every employee who suffered an injury during work or occupational disease as a result of a workplace incident. The Workcover physio scheme is adjusted to help workers return to the working process, after work-related injury or illness. A multitude of scientific research shows that early and proper physiotherapy intervention contributes toward shorter injury recovery and provides an earlier return to work. Be aware that Workcover physio covers only injuries that occur during the working process, not before or after that. If you hurt your knee during work, the Workcover physio service is applicable, but if you fell off a scooter outside of work, you cannot apply for Workcover physio benefits.

Workcover physio program includes all kinds of physical injuries that happen during work hours such as stretches, sprains, fractures, industrial deafness, lacerations, or burns. The whole rehabilitation process, starting with the injury until the final return to work, must be collaborative and supportive between all parties involved. The employee itself, the employer, and the Workcover physio office have to communicate with each other to contribute towards faster returning of the worker to the working process, and managing the process.

Every injured worker who suffered the injury during the working process, or has suffered from an illness linked with the working process is most likely eligible for treatment that is funded partially or completely by the Workcover physio program. If you have a Workcover physio claim, it’s recommended to review the list of local physiotherapists that work with the Workcover Physio program. Get in touch with one of them and submit your Workcover physio claim.

Most of the Workcover physio services include 5 treatment sessions. After initial sessions, the health condition will be reconsidered and if necessary, the physiotherapist will suggest the next steps, until the final recovery. Most of the services provided by the physiotherapist are covered by the Workcover physio program and there will be no costs. In most cases, Workcover physio covers the full fee of the treatment. Some additional aspects of the recovery process may be covered by the Workcover physio framework, but it depends on case by case.

Here is the simplified guideline for applying to the Workcover physio program:

After the injury is sustained, the first thing the employee must do is visit a physiotherapist who collaborates with the Workcover physio program. The physiotherapist issues a medical certificate and the employee seeks appropriate treatment. After that, the employee submits a compensation application, and the employer lodges a report and develops a recovery plan. Furthermore, the employee submits a claim and waits for an answer (usually not more than 20 days). In more complex claims it’s recommended for the employer to cooperate with the Workcover physio office in the direction of more successful implementation of the recovery plan. Finally, after the claim is finalized, the employee returns to the working process.

What Is Bulk Billing?

Have you ever heard of health care provided by a professional physiotherapist at no cost? If you are wondering if it is possible, the answer is YES. Bulk billing physio provides physiotherapist’s service you don’t have to pay for it. Bulk billing physio therapist accepts the benefit provided by Medicare as full payment for the service.

Bulk billing physio is defined as a payment option under the Medicare system of physiotherapy services. Physiotherapy treatment can be a long process and very expensive at the same time. Faced with enormous costs of the service, not everyone can afford it. Especially because the length of the treatment can not be predicted. That is exactly why bulk billing physio is a recommended option for any of us.

You should keep in mind that not all physio clinics in Queensland, Australia accept bulk billing physio. The first thing you must do before you make an appointment is to review the physio clinics nearby and check if your favorite is on the Bulk billing physio list. For more information about which physiotherapists apply the bulk billing physio option, which terms are open for an appointment, price, location, etc., you can easily look online.

The bulk billing physio option covers all costs of services provided by the bulk billing physio specialist. In that way, you won’t have additional costs for the received health service. The physiotherapist will charge for the provided service via the patient’s Medicare card. The purpose of the bulk billing physio program is to limit medical fees. You not only get a quality physio treatment, but you save money, too. Otherwise, if your physiotherapist doesn’t pay the bulk bill, you will have to pay all costs caused by the treatment. Therefore, do a check in advance to be sure.

Finally, let’s summarize that two conditions must be met for the medical service to be applicable for the bulk billing physio option:

• You have to be enrolled in Medicare
• The physiotherapist chooses to apply the bulk billing physio

If you are not a part of the Medicare system yet, do not waste time anymore. Grab the opportunity and apply for the bulk billing physio program.

Final Thoughts

Neglecting the treatment of the disease can cause serious complications. Therefore, be faster than the pain and contact some of the physiotherapists covered by the Bulk billing physiotherapy program as soon as you feel discomfort because our health must come first!