We are able to support self-managed and plan managed NDIS participants who require Occupational Therapy support as per their NDIS plan. As an unregistered provider, Willow Therapy is unable to provide services to NDIA-managed participants. For more information regarding registered versus unregistered NDIS providers, check the FAQ page.

If you are self-managed, we will require you to pay for services within 7 days of services provided and submit your receipt to NDIA for reimbursement. Alternatively, prior to your NDIS planning meeting you can request that you be plan managed by a third party who will manage the finances for you for a monthly fee that should be included in your funding amount. If you would like to explore this option, please contact NDIS.

More information about how to register for the NDIS can be found here.

Chronic Disease Management (CDM)

The CDM is a Medicare rebate initiative that provides rebates for eligible clients (previously known as Enhanced Primary Care Plans). Your general practitioner (GP) can prepare this plan. The rebate equates to approximately $52.00 back per session for 5 allied health sessions per calendar year. If you are accessing more than one type of therapy, you are entitled to share the CDM sessions across therapists. Please note that you will be unable to claim the rebate directly, and will be required to pay the full amount at the time of your child’s session. You can then claim the rebate back either in person at a Medicare centre, online, or via the Medicare smartphone app with an electronic copy of your paid invoice from Willow Therapy Services.

If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander decent, you are eligible for an additional 5 allied health sessions per calendar year. Your GP can identify the need for follow-up allied health services within your care plan.

Better Access to Mental Health

GPs and Paediatricians can prepare a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) to refer patients for psychological services or occupational therapy. These may be individual sessions and/or group services. Generally, the plan includes referral for 6 sessions, and after follow-up can be extended to an extra 4 visits during the calendar year, being a total of 10 individual sessions and 10 group sessions. Medicare will pay the rebate into your nominated bank account once the fee has been settled.

Telehealth Medicare Measures

A significant change to the Better Access to Mental Health (BAMH) scheme to rural and remote clients was implemented in 1 November 2018. Medicare has removed the requirement for the face-to-face consultation during the first 4 sessions and now allows all 10 sessions to be provided via technology modes. This represents a significant improvement for clients and families both from a time-saving perspective and financially. Eligible patients are required to have a Mental Health Treatment Plan and be located in a rural and remote area, namely, Modified Monash Model areas 4-7. To find out if you are located in an eligible area, please visit the MMM locator, select the latest year next to the MMM Classification Filter and enter the location. For further information about accessing paediatric Teletherapy Occupational Therapy services, please contact us.

Medicare Safety Net

The Medicare Safety Net provides financial assistance for high out-of-pocket costs for out-of-hospital Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) services. Once you meet a Medicare Safety Net threshold you may be eligible for additional Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital MBS services for the rest of the calendar year. For individuals on the Autism Spectrum who hold a Health Care Card from Centrelink, their Medicare Safety Net Threshold is reduced compared to a standard family threshold. For more information on the Medicare Safety Net visit the Medicare website or contact the Department of Human Services – Medicare.

Check with your insurer whether you are covered for any allied health services within your policy prior to your first appointment with us. Coverage will vary between insurers.

Please note that you will be unable to claim the rebate directly, and will be required to pay the full amount within 7 days of your child’s session. You can then submit an electronic copy of your paid invoice to your private health fund. If your child is using a Medicare Plan for sessions, you will be unable to claim the gap through your private health fund.