Normally no.  Unless you are on an Chronic Disease Management Plan (organised by your GP).  As this is restricted to people who have chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, you will need to discuss your eligibility with your GP first.

Medicare can cover Podiatry services via the Medicare Chronic Disease Management Program.  This program is initiated by your General Practitioner and can entitle you up to 5 medicare funded podiatry consultations per calendar year.  To access this service via medicare please consult your GP.

No.  Not specifically for private visits.  However, in certain circumstances as mentioned above, such as for Veteran Affairs, or Medicare rebates a referral is required.

Abosulately.  As long as your insurance covers Podiatry services you will be able to claim on the spot.  Please contact your health fund for the specific information.  Rebates are generally available on consultations, customised orthotics and semi-customised orthotics.

Yes.  HICAPS allows you to claim your rebate at the time of your consultation, meaning you only have to pay the outstanding gap.

Yes.  If you have a GP referral (D904), there will be no out of pocket expense. 

You will be seen by a qualified podiatrist who will conduct an assessment, and devise a treatment plan suited to your needs.

Due to the nature of the treatment, sharp instruments are sometimes used so there is a small risk of harm occurring.

Many patients experience a reduction in pain due to podiatry intervention but some treatments may cause discomfort at the time.

Please bring any referrals or reports from your GP or specialist along with any scans you may have had.

If you have an EPC referral from your GP,  you will need to bring the referral paper and your medicare card to your appointment.

You should wear shoes that you regularly wear as it is important for the podiatrist to be able to review these shoes.  It would also be helpful to bring in some of your other shoes so that an accurate assessment of your current footwear can be made.

Please bring a list of your current medications.  If you have diabetes, bring your blood glucose levels diary.

As the podiatrist will need to see you barefooted it is a good idea to wear socks or half length stockings that are easy to remove.

If you currently wear orthotics or have worn them in the past, it would be helpful to bring them to your appointment.

No.  At this point in time, we are not satisfied with the amount of evidence that exists to prove it works as well as claimed.   We have collectively decided to wait until our podiatrists are satisfied the evidence is sufficient to offer it as a treatment option.