Private Health for Acupuncture
Health Fund Changes Since 2019
Has there been private health fund changes?
There has been some changes to the private health insurance legislation. As of April 1, 2019 changes surrounding health fund rebates for complimentary therapies and natural medicine have commenced. You might be wondering if your favourite and preferred complimentary medicines have been excluded or not. The good news is, Private health for Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have not been affected by the change. They will continue to be listed under therapies with private health fund status.
Will I be able to claim benefits for Acupuncture from a qualified Chinese Medicine practitioner from my private health fund?
Yes! Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have maintained their private health fund status. Depending on the type of private health insurance cover you have and are limited to, will determine how your health fund provider reimburses you. Tanya Keam would recommend you speak to your current health fund provider to ensure your current policy covers all that you need, such a hospital cover and the extras that you actually use. You may not need optical or dental as a extra for example. Your fund will ensure you have selected specific extras cover option that includes Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.
What therapies HAVE BEEN affected by the changes?
The federal government has made a decision to no longer allow health fund providers to issue rebates for a number of natural therapies. These include:
- Alexander Technique
- Aromatherapy
- Bowen Therapy
- Buteyko Breathing technique
- Feldenkrais
- Homeopathy
- Iridology
- Kinesiology
- Naturopathy
- Pilates
- Reflexology
- Rolfing
- Shiatsu Massage
- Tai Chi
- Western Herbalism
- Yoga
How can I claim my private health insurance at Tanya Keam’s Clinic?
Tanya Keam’s Sunshine Coast Acupuncture Clinic has a health fund provider HICAPS terminal on site to facilitate your health fund transactions. You can then pay the gap amount via eftpos, credit card or cash – meaning you don’t need to follow up your rebate afterwards. You can find which health funds are available for on the spot claims here. Rare occasions when health funds or terminals are down, you will receive an invoice via email that you can send a PDF document straight to your health fund for reimbursement. How much you get back from your private health fund for Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine depends on your individual policy and the level of cover your health fund provides, such as a 50% rebate or a 20% rebate. Health funds will also be able to let you know what your limit is for the entirety of your policy year round, such as $400 or $1000 per year. Policies are usually a calendar year or financial year start date.
Patients often ask who is the best health fund to go with. That question is really something you and your family need to sit down and go over, depending on the level of cover you want and the premiums you want to pay to insure your health privately. Rebates can also only be obtained when you attend your booked appointment and your Acupuncturist has treated you. If for example you are sick or miss the appointment, the practitioner cannot issue you an invoice to claim despite the practitioners own treatment costs.
If you have any further questions about private health rebates for your treatments then please contact us here or book online here.
Tanya Keam Wellness is a Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture and Natural Health Clinic in Nambour Heights, in the beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland. Tanya welcomes her patients into the clinic with compassion and and open mind, while understanding their desired outcomes for current ailments and life-long optimal health. Her particular interest is in women’s health and fertility, pain, the immune system, mental health and preventative medicine. With continued training, Tanya works closely with patients from a integrative perspective by blending evidence-based healthcare with traditional eastern medicine.