Private health insurance
A number of health care reforms have come into effect on April 1st 2019 and subsequently there is some confusion about what services are still claimable with private health insurance. Although there have been some changes made to the rebates available for some natural health services, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine continue to be rebatable health services. Additionally, remedial massage is also indeed able to be to claimed on private health insurance.
Rebates for Torquay acupuncture using health insurance are claimable in one of two ways. Firstly, by submitting your invoice directly to your participating fund and secondly, by claiming and paying instantly using HICAPS Go.
HICAPS Go is an app available to download on smartphones from the App Store or google play Downloading the app is surprisingly easy and enables complete transparency on your out of pocket expenses for acupuncture services. Previously, you would have needed to contact your insurance provider directly, by phone to find your level of cover. Also, you would then have to pay upfront at the time of session and then your insurer would rebate your for your session. Whereas now you can find out your rebate before you have even had a session. Using the HICAPS go app is undeniably easier.
HICAPS Go Out-of-pocket quotes
Straightaway, you can discover your out-of-pocket costs before you book your acupuncture appointment, therefore you will know exactly how much your session will cost you out of pocket.
Claim and pay instantly
You can claim and pay in a matter of seconds with HICAPS Go in Torquay, whereas you can continue using our HICAPS terminal in Geelong and Essendon. This means less time and administration at the end of your session, meaning you can instead get on with your day.
Health insurers using HICAPS Go
Torquay acupuncture health insurance claimable funds;
AAMI health insurance 
aha health insurance 
Apia health insurance 
Defence health insurance 
Emergency Services health insurance 
Frank health insurance 
Gmhba health insurance 
health.com.au health insurance 
healthcare health insurance 
his health insurance 
medibank health insurance 
Nurses Midwives health insurance 
nib health insurance 
People care health insurance 
Phoenix health insurance 
Police Health insurance 
Qantas health insurance 
St Lukes health insurance
Occasionally, new funds join the HICAPS Go program. Therefore, if your fund is not listed we suggest meanwhile regularly checking in with either your fund directly or otherwise here for the most current list of participating funds The list below shows the funds compatible with HICAPS go as of April 1st 2019. We expect large funds such as BUPA and Australian Unity will join HICAPS go soon.
- AAMI
- ahm
- Apia
- Defence Health
- Emergency Services Health
- Frank
- GMHBA
- Health.com.au
- Healthcare Insurance
- hif
- Medibank
- nib
- Nurses and Midwives Health
- Peoplecare
- Phoenix
- Police Health
- Qantas AssureSt Lukes Health
- Suncorp
Rebates for remedial massage in Essendon continue to be claimable by submitting directly to your insurer, or otherwise instantly using our HICAPS terminal.
More information about the reforms
From 1 April 2019 certain natural therapies will no longer be permitted to be covered under private health insurance policies. Natural therapies no longer eligible for health fund rebates include Alexander technique, aromatherapy, Bowen therapy, Buteyko, Feldenkrais, Western herbalism, homeopathy, iridology, kinesiology, naturopathy, pilates, reflexology, rolfing, shiatsu, taichi, and yoga. Many of these therapies have been removed despite new studies showing they are beneficial to patient.
These reforms have been implemented by the Australian government, not health insurance companies. As natural therapists we particularly understand the benefits of natural therapies. Hence, we emphatically feel these reforms significantly represent a backwards step by the government. We undeniably support natural medicine and preventive health.
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