Children with NDIS funding

Children who have NDIS funding are charged at the usual hourly NDIS rate for Occupational Therapy. An additional one hour is charged for the initial report and review reports are charged up to 30 minutes. No additional time is charged for progress notes or preparation. The initial appointment usually takes 2 hours.

Children without NDIS Funding

Children without NDIS funding are charged at a discounted rate.  Phone me for more information about fees.

I am registered with most private practice health funds, so rebates can be claimed for those with extra cover health insurance. Parents can phone me to discuss fees if they are experiencing financial difficulties.

Medicare rebates

Children who are seeing more than one service provider, e.g. a physiotherapist, podiatrist, speech pathologist and occupational therapist, can often be referred by GPs under a Chronic Care Plan, also known as an Enhanced Primary Care Plan. I am registered to provide therapy under these plans. Under these plans, five rebates of approximately $50 are available per calendar year. It is important to be aware that the rebates do not cover the full cost of appointments and that the total of 5 Medicare rebates is for all services under the plan, not 5 rebates for each service.

Children who have a psychological diagnosis e.g. anxiety, autism and ADHD can be seen under a Mental Health Care Plan which will entitle them to ten Medicare rebates of approximately $80 (or 85% of the total cost if the Medicare safety net has been reached by families), so the rebates do not cover the full cost of the appointments. GPs and paediatricians can refer children under these plans.

Eligible occupational therapists are required to demonstrate expertise and to maintain their professional development in mental health skills, and I have done this. If children are also being referred to a psychologist, it is important to be aware that the total  10 Medicare rebates is for all services under the plan, not for each service. GPs often benefit from having information about my eligibility to work under a Mental Health Care Plan referral, as not all occupational therapists are eligible to do so. Parents can request that I send them an information sheet to take to their GP when they phone me to make an appointment.

If families have reached the Medicare safety net, 85% of the cost is paid by Medicare. Nonetheless, the rebates do not cover the full cost of the appointments. If you are requesting a referral by your GP, it is important to let the GPs receptionist know that you want a medicare referral when you make the appointment.

Payments should be made at the time of the appointment and EFTPOS facilities are available.