Medicare Care Plan Physiotherapy (Chronic Disease Management Plans) in Gwelup

Medicare-Supported Physiotherapy for Chronic Health Conditions

At Lake Gwelup Physiotherapy, eligible patients can access Medicare-subsidised physiotherapy through a Medicare Care Plan. These plans are now formally known as GP Chronic Condition Management Plans (GPCCMPs) and were previously referred to as Chronic Disease Management (CDM) or Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plans.

If you have a chronic or complex health condition and your GP believes physiotherapy would assist in managing your condition, they may refer you under a Medicare CDM plan.

This allows eligible patients to receive Medicare rebates for physiotherapy treatment while still receiving the same high-quality, one-on-one care provided to all patients at Lake Gwelup Physiotherapy.

Located inside Gwelup Medical Centre, we regularly work alongside local GPs to help patients manage a wide range of chronic musculoskeletal, neurological and balance-related conditions.

 

What Is a Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan?

A Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan is a referral pathway that allows eligible patients with chronic or complex health conditions to access Medicare-subsidised allied health services, including physiotherapy.

Your GP determines whether you are eligible and prepares the necessary documentation and referral.

Under the current Medicare arrangements, eligible patients may receive access to up to five Medicare-subsidised allied health appointments per calendar year, which may be allocated across one or multiple allied health providers.

Common conditions managed under Medicare physiotherapy referrals include:

  • Arthritis and osteoarthritis
  • Chronic neck and back pain
  • Persistent shoulder pain
  • Balance and falls risk
  • Neurological conditions
  • Chronic mobility limitations
  • Post-operative rehabilitation
  • Chronic tendon and joint conditions
  • Long-term musculoskeletal injuries
  • Deconditioning and age-related weakness

 

How Does Medicare Physiotherapy Work?

Step 1 – Visit Your GP

If your GP determines your condition is suitable, they will prepare a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan and provide a physiotherapy referral.

Step 2 – Book Your Appointment

Book an appointment with Lake Gwelup Physiotherapy and bring your referral with you (paper copy, email copy or electronic referral).

Step 3 – Attend Your Consultation

You will receive a standard physiotherapy assessment and treatment tailored to your condition and goals.

Step 4 – Claim Your Medicare Rebate

You pay the standard consultation fee on the day of your appointment.

We process the Medicare claim electronically on your behalf, and Medicare deposits the rebate directly into your nominated bank account.

 

Medicare Rebate and Out-of-Pocket Costs

As of January 2026, the Medicare rebate for physiotherapy services provided under a CDM plan is approximately $61.80 per session.

Medicare rebate amounts are indexed periodically and may change.

Lake Gwelup Physiotherapy does not bulk bill Medicare physiotherapy appointments.

Patients are responsible for paying the consultation fee on the day of treatment, with Medicare reimbursing the applicable rebate afterwards.

For current Medicare rebate information, please refer to Medicare.

 

Conditions We Commonly Manage Under Medicare Plans

At Lake Gwelup Physiotherapy, Medicare-funded physiotherapy is frequently used to assist patients with:

  • Arthritis and Joint Pain

Helping patients improve mobility, reduce pain and maintain independence through exercise therapy, manual therapy and education.

  • Balance Problems and Falls Prevention

Assessment and treatment of balance impairments, strength deficits and mobility limitations to reduce falls risk and improve confidence.

  • Chronic Neck and Back Pain

Evidence-based management combining exercise rehabilitation, manual therapy and self-management strategies.

  • Post-Operative Rehabilitation

Structured rehabilitation following joint replacement surgery, spinal surgery and other orthopaedic procedures.

  • Neurological Conditions

Exercise and mobility programs designed to improve strength, balance and functional independence.

  • Persistent Musculoskeletal Conditions

Long-term management of tendon, muscle and joint conditions through progressive exercise and education.

 

 

Why Choose Lake Gwelup Physiotherapy?

Experienced Senior Physiotherapist

Your treatment is provided by Chris Warne, Principal Physiotherapist at Lake Gwelup Physiotherapy.

Chris holds:

  • Master of Physiotherapy (Curtin University)
  • Bachelor of Science (Anatomical Sciences) – University of Western Australia
  • More than 10 years of private practice experience

He has a particular interest in:

One-on-One Appointments

All consultations are conducted individually with your physiotherapist.

Evidence-Based Care

Treatment focuses on current best-practice physiotherapy, including exercise rehabilitation, education, manual therapy and long-term self-management strategies.

Convenient Gwelup Location

Lake Gwelup Physiotherapy is conveniently located inside Gwelup Medical Centre at:

698 North Beach Road, Gwelup WA 6018

Free onsite parking available.

 

Related Physiotherapy Services

Many patients attending under a Medicare CDM plan may also benefit from:

Your physiotherapist can discuss which treatment options are most appropriate for your condition.

 

Book a Medicare Physiotherapy Appointment

If you have been referred under a Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, our team would be happy to assist.

Call (08) 9244 8588 or book online to arrange your appointment.

Please bring your Medicare referral and Medicare card details to your first consultation.

Lake Gwelup Physiotherapy provides care to patients in Gwelup and across Perth’s northern suburbs including KarrinyupStirlingCarineInnaloo and Balcatta.

Medicare Physiotherapy (Chronic Disease Management Plans) – FAQs

A. A Medicare Care Plan is a referral pathway that allows eligible patients with chronic or complex health conditions to access Medicare-subsidised allied health services, including physiotherapy. These plans are now formally called GP Chronic Condition Management Plans (GPCCMPs) and were previously known as CDM or EPC plans.

A. Yes. To receive a Medicare rebate for physiotherapy, you must have a valid Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan and referral from your GP. Your GP will determine whether you are eligible and provide the necessary documentation. Please bring your referral with you to your first appointment.

A. Eligibility is determined by your GP. In general, CDM plans are designed for people with chronic or complex health conditions that have been present, or are expected to be present, for six months or longer and require ongoing management from multiple healthcare providers.

A. Under current Medicare arrangements, eligible patients may access up to five Medicare-subsidised allied health appointments per calendar year. These visits may be used entirely for physiotherapy or shared between different allied health providers such as physiotherapists, podiatrists, exercise physiologists, dietitians or occupational therapists.

A. Medicare provides a rebate for physiotherapy services delivered under a valid CDM referral. Rebate amounts are indexed periodically and may change over time. Current rebate information can be found on the Medicare website.

A. Yes. Lake Gwelup Physiotherapy does not bulk bill Medicare physiotherapy appointments. Patients pay the standard consultation fee on the day of treatment, and Medicare rebates the eligible amount directly into the patient's nominated bank account. The difference between the consultation fee and the Medicare rebate is the patient's out-of-pocket expense.

A. No. Medicare and private health insurance cannot both be claimed for the same physiotherapy consultation. If you choose to use your Medicare CDM referral, any remaining gap payment cannot be claimed through your private health fund.

A. No. You can choose which physiotherapy clinic you attend. Even if your GP suggests a particular provider, you are free to use your referral at any physiotherapy clinic that accepts Medicare CDM referrals.

A. Please bring:

 

  • Your Medicare CDM referral (paper or electronic copy)
  • Your Medicare card details
  • Any relevant scans, specialist letters or medical reports
  • Comfortable clothing suitable for assessment and exercise

A. Yes. Many patients continue physiotherapy after their allocated Medicare-supported visits have been used. Ongoing treatment can be funded privately, through private health insurance (if eligible under your policy), DVA, NDIS or other funding arrangements where applicable.

A. Yes. We can process Medicare claims electronically at the clinic, saving you the need to submit paperwork yourself. Medicare will then deposit the rebate directly into your nominated bank account, usually within a few business days.

A. Physiotherapy under a CDM plan may assist with a wide range of chronic and complex health conditions, including arthritis, chronic neck and back pain, balance problems, falls risk, mobility limitations, neurological conditions, post-operative rehabilitation and other long-term musculoskeletal conditions.

A. In many cases, yes. Depending on your condition and clinical needs, Medicare-supported physiotherapy appointments may be used for one to one services such as hydrotherapy, home visit physiotherapy, balance rehabilitation or exercise-based rehabilitation. Your physiotherapist can discuss the most appropriate treatment approach during your assessment.

For a full and up-to-date list of our fees, please visit our dedicated Pricing page.

Booking your appointment at Lake Gwelup Physiotherapy is quick and easy. You can book online 24/7 via HealthEngine or HotDoc, or contact our friendly team directly on (08) 9244 8588 or by email at chris@lakegwelupphysio.com.au for appointments or enquiries.

For effortless future bookings, we recommend downloading the HealthEngine or HotDoc app and adding Lake Gwelup Physiotherapy and Principal Physiotherapist Chris Warne to your “Care Team” for fast rebooking and appointment reminders.

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