“Chronic Disease” sounds like a scary term to most, however we like to think of it as a term used to signify “long term” conditions such as:
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Stroke
Chronic conditions are conditions that are present or likely to be present for a period greater than 6 months. These diagnoses allow treating practitioners and the team of chronic care nurses to construct individualised “care plans” which are a great pathway to coordinating care with other practitioners.
Care plans facilitate access to allied health practitioners under the Medicare Benefits Schedule. Allied health professionals include physiotherapists, podiatrists, chiropractors, exercise physiologists and dieticians to name a few. Medicare will contribute $58.30 per visit so your out of pocket fee with your allied health professional will be reduced by this amount. Under a care plan, medicare will contribute this amount for 5 sessions per calendar year.
Our chronic disease nurse team are highly experienced Registered Nurses who help the treating practitioner create these plans.
Care plans are also called GP Management Plans and must be approved by your treating Doctor who will confirm your eligibility prior to booking an appointment for this.