Rebates

There are several options for accessing financial support for speech pathology services:
Private Health Insurance
Medicare – Chronic Disease Management Program
FaHCSIA – Helping with Children Autism Program
FaHCSIA – Helping with Children Early Intervention Program
Centrelink – Carer Allowance

1. Private Health Insurance

Health rebates for speech pathology services may be claimed through your private health insurance. Ring your individual health insurance fund today to see if your specific level of cover entitles you to a rebate for speech pathology services.

TALK & LEARN Speech Pathologists have registered with a wide variety of health funds. If you find that we are not registered with your specific health fund, then let us know and we will endeavour to register with them.

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2. Medicare – Chronic Disease Management Program

The Chronic Disease Management program (previously the Medicare Enhanced Care Program) provides Medicare rebates for allied health services including Speech Pathology for individuals who have a chronic medical condition. A chronic condition is one that has been (or likely to be) present for six months or longer. Clients have complex care needs if they need ongoing care from a multidisciplinary team consisting of their GP and at least two other health care providers.

The GP nominates the number of services (sessions) up to a maximum of 5 per client per the calendar year. The five sessions may be made up of one type of service (e.g., speech pathology) or a combination of different types of services (e.g., speech pathology and occupational therapy).

A Medicare rebate of $50.05 per session is available (as at December 2010) and is indexed on 1st of November each year.

For further information visit the Department of Health and Aging – Medicare Rebates.

TALK & LEARN Speech Pathologists are registered Medicare Providers.

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3. Helping with Children Autism Package

The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs provide financial support through the Helping with Children Autism Package. The program allows parents rebates for speech pathology services including;

  • Four sessions (per lifetime) by eligible allied health professionals to assist in the diagnosis of the child and/or development of the child’s treatment plan and Twenty speech pathology sessions (per lifetime) by eligible allied health professionals to provide early intervention treatment.
  • Clients who are eligible include children with autism or any other Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). The child must be under 13 years of age at the time of diagnosis and under 15 years of age when receiving treatment.

TALK & LEARN Speech Pathologists are registered Medicare Providers.

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4. FaHCSIA – Helping with Children Early Intervention Program

The Helping Children with Autism Early Intervention Package provides up to $12,000 ($6,000 per year for two years) in individual assistance for children, diagnosed with an ASD and aged six years and under when eligibility is approved, and under 7 years of age when receiving service, to support the provision of structured and intensive early intervention services such as one-on-one intensive activities, behavioural therapies and tailored group and individual programs.

For further information visit:

Talk & Learn Speech Pathology is a member of the FaHCSIA Early Intervention Autism Provider Panel as part of a consortium with Spectrum House Psychology and Leapfrog Occupational Therapy Services.

For further information visit:

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5. Centrelink Carer Allowance

Carer Allowance (child) is a supplementary payment for parents or carers who provide daily care and attention for children with a disability or severe medical condition at home. It is paid fortnightly by Centrelink and is not means tested. The application form requires the carer and a medical professional to each complete a section, which can happen either before or after a child receives a formal diagnosis. Carer Allowance commences from the date the form is lodged, not the date of diagnosis, so it’s a good idea to apply as soon as possible.

For further information visit:

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