Private Health Insurance and Physiotherapy
Most people put off booking because they don't know what they'll be out of pocket. The answer depends less on us than on which funding pathway you're on. Here's how each works at a Well Motion appointment: private health extras, Medicare, NDIS, workers compensation and CTP.
What private health insurance covers
Physiotherapy sits under extras cover, not hospital cover, so what you get back depends on your policy and level of cover. Where you have it, that cover generally goes towards the physiotherapy we provide at Well Motion: initial consultations, follow-up treatment, sports injury rehabilitation, chronic pain management and post-surgical recovery 2.
We're an NIB Preferred Provider and part of HCF's More for Muscles program, so if you're with either fund it's worth checking what that gets you before you book. We claim through HICAPS for most major funds.
How HICAPS works at your appointment
HICAPS (the Health Industry Claims and Payments Service) is the terminal at our reception desk. You swipe your fund card at the end of your appointment, the claim goes through on the spot, and you pay only the difference between your rebate and the fee 2. No claim forms, no waiting on a reimbursement.
Medicare, and what it covers
Medicare doesn't fund physiotherapy the way it funds a GP visit. It becomes available through a GP chronic condition management plan (GPCCMP), which replaced the earlier chronic disease plans on 1 July 2025 1.
You need a referral and the plan itself, from your GP or a prescribed medical practitioner. That allows up to 5 Medicare-subsidised allied health services per calendar year (10 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients), and those can all go towards physiotherapy 1. A plan put in place before 1 July 2025 still works until 30 June 2027 1.
The rebate doesn't cover the whole session, so there's usually still a gap to pay. Fuller breakdown on our Physiotherapy page.
NDIS funding
Well Motion is a registered NDIS provider, and how your plan is managed decides who we invoice. If you're plan-managed, we invoice your plan manager directly. If you're NDIA-managed, we claim through the NDIS portal on your behalf. If you're self-managing, you pay us and claim it back, with an invoice carrying everything the portal asks for. More on our NDIS physiotherapy page.
WorkCover and CTP claims
For a work injury or a motor vehicle accident, your physiotherapy is billed to the insurer, not to Medicare or your health fund. Both pathways need a referral before treatment can start. Bring that, your claim number and your insurer's details to your first appointment and we'll manage the paperwork from there. More on our WorkCover physiotherapy page.
Which pathway is yours
| Pathway | Before you book | On the day |
|---|---|---|
| Private patient, no cover | Nothing. Book directly | The fee, which we tell you upfront |
| Private health extras | Your fund card | The gap only, claimed on the spot via HICAPS 2 |
| Medicare (GPCCMP) | A referral and a GP chronic condition management plan 1 | The gap between the rebate and the fee |
| NDIS | Your plan details and how it's managed | Nothing, unless you're self-managing |
| WorkCover or CTP | Referral, claim number, insurer details | Nothing. It is billed to the insurer |
What to ask your fund before you book
Your insurer is the only one who can give you the exact figure. Two things to ask:
- What do you rebate per physiotherapy session, initial and follow-up?
- Are there limits or a waiting period on physiotherapy at my level of cover?
Not sure who to ask? Call (02) 8111 5633 or get in touch.
FAQs
Do I need a referral to see a physio in NSW?
No, you can book with us directly. Physiotherapists are primary allied health professionals, so there's no GP paperwork needed to get started as a private patient. A referral only matters if you're claiming through workers compensation, CTP, DVA or Medicare. Each of those pathways needs one before we can treat you under it.
Is physiotherapy covered by Medicare in Australia?
Only in specific circumstances. You'll need a referral and a GP chronic condition management plan (GPCCMP) from your GP or a prescribed medical practitioner 1, and Medicare's rebate won't cover the full session cost even then. Private health insurance may cover physiotherapy separately, depending on your policy.
How do you get 5 free physio sessions?
"Free" isn't quite accurate. If your GP assesses you as eligible and puts a GP chronic condition management plan in place, that can give you up to 5 Medicare-subsidised allied health services per calendar year (10 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients), all of which can go towards physiotherapy 1. There's still usually a gap fee, since the rebate doesn't cover the full session cost.
More on appointments, payment methods and what to bring on our FAQs page.