WHY IS THERE A GAP AT FUNCTIONAL PHYSIO SA
WORKING TOGETHER TO GET THE BEST OUTCOME FOR YOU
Physiotherapy is essential care for the close to 7 million Australians who live with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions.
Physiotherapists are highly qualified health professionals who are a trusted part of the health system, with GPs referring more patients to physiotherapists than any other single group (Britt and Miller, 2016).
It is therefore essential that GPs and physiotherapists work together to reduce the impact of chronic pain and disability.
We want to work with you and your doctor to get the best outcomes.
The Value and Cost of Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists reduce out-of-pocket costs for MSK conditions by reducing reliance on medication, unnecessary imaging and unnecessary specialist appointments and surgeries. They provide patient-centred care that is highly valued and highly effective.
There is limited MBS funding for physiotherapy under a GP Management Plan or Team Care Arrangements. Currently, the MBS does not adequately remunerate physiotherapists for the time they spend with patients.
WHY IS THERE A GAP?
Your physiotherapist has one job, to care for you and your family. In Australia, this is mostly funded by the federal government in the form of Medicare, or through private health insurance. Physiotherapists mainly work in small family owned and operated clinics. There are many costs including staff wages, medical indemnity insurance, rent and equipment supplies. We all know the cost of living has increased in recent years, and costs in physiotherapy practice are no different. In fact, equipment costs increase at more than twice the rate of inflation every year.
Despite the increase in costs (which are being felt by everyone), the government and health insurance companies have not increased their rebates enough to support your ongoing healthcare. Medicare and private health insurance rebates have averaged a 1.2% increase in the last 10 years. Labour started the Medicare “freeze” in 2013, and the liberal coalition continued it. As a result, the government funding for physiotherapy practice is less than half of what it would be if it had kept up with the real-world costs.
The graph shows the difference between the rising costs of living (the top line) and the amount the government invests in your healthcare (the bottom line). You will notice these lines are moving further away. The problem becomes even greater as less physiotherapists are choosing to enter private practice due to the lack of government funding. This is why we charge a $10 gap to patients referred to physiotherapy under a GP Management Plan or Team Care Arrangement – need to pay their consult fee in full, at the time of their appointment.
We lodge your claim with medicare on the day, and the MBS rebate is paid to you, via EFT, usually within 24hrs.
Patients that have financial difficulties can access physiotherapy through our public health system. In our area, that would be a referral to Physiotherapy at Royal Adelaide Hospital.
We look forward to continuing to provide a very high quality level of care, reducing the workload and stress on your doctors, as well as helping your patients get better and back to their normal activities.
If you have any question about referrals to us, PLEASE reach out. You can call our Practice Manager, on 0426968517, or send us an email: info@functionalphysiosa.com.au.
Concerned? Please talk to your local Federal MP