COVID-19 Update: Physiotherapy is an essential service
This is an update from The Physio Co team as we continue to help you and all of our clients stay mobile, safe and happy through this COVID-19 period.
Older people need to mostly keep to normal appointments and treatments
Health Minister Greg Hunt yesterday shared an update that encouraged all people with chronic health conditions to not neglect their regular health care.
It’s an important message, especially those over 65 who more commonly have some form of chronic condition, to continue to take care of those ongoing conditions that need management during and after this COVID-19 pandemic passes.
Physiotherapy an essential service
For us physiotherapists, the message from the Australian Government has been clear and continuous: Physiotherapy is an essential service. We are required to keep seeing our clients, in a safe way, to help manage the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related health concerns of Australians.
The advice has been that normal in-person treatment should definitely continue where possible and safe. If that option isn’t possible, a virtual consultation using telephone or video is the next best option that should be used.
We need to not sit and wait. Staying mobile, safe and independent needs us all to be proactive!
Bulk billing for Medicare and DVA-funded telehealth consultations
For the duration of this COVID-19 outbreak season, Medicare and Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) bulk-billing is available for clients who receive a virtual consultation from a physiotherapist.
These virtual appointments, using a normal telephone or video call with a physiotherapist, can be as effective as a normal treatment session and certainly more effective than no treatment at all.
For more information on Medicare and DVA funded physiotherapy from our team of expert physios for older people, please call 1300 797 793 to chat with our customer service team.
User-pays telehealth consultations and private health insurance
From April 15, many Australian private health insurers have announced that rebates are available for physiotherapy services via phone or video (otherwise known as telehealth, or online consultations). If you have private health insurance, it’s best to check with your insurer directly.
Starting from a short, cost-effective 15-minute phone call, The Physio Co has a phone or video consultation that could help you today. If you’re curious as to what’s possible with an online consultation and/or how telehealth works, please have a quick read of the options and how it works here.
The Physio Co team members are at work and available to help.
Our team is following Australian Health Department Guidelines and continues to run as close to normal as possible.
Unless you hear otherwise from one of our team, our usual consultations are happening as scheduled and our support team are available on 1300 797 793.
Lastly, and as always…
Please take care of yourself, your family and the people you care for as we work through this COVID-19 season.
If there’s anything The Physio Co might be able to help with, please call us on 1300 797 793 today. We’re here to help.
Article by Tristan White, CEO of The Physio Co.