Book now online or call (03) 9783 9041.
Can I use my NDIS funding for Osteopathy?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for support for eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, gain greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community; and gain an improved quality of life.
Here at Osteopathy Connections, we offer Osteopathic Therapy Services for self-managed and plan-managed NDIS Clients.
Our Osteopaths work with you to help you work toward your goals.
Which support/service category can we help you with?
Osteopathic services provide support in the category of capacity building (improved health and wellbeing, and improved daily living), which will support you to build your independence and skills.
Your NDIS plan must state you have goals and funding within your Capacity Building Supports budget.
How can an Osteopath support me?
Osteopaths may assist NDIS clients with goals associated with body movements such as the coordination of trunk & limb movements; or functional movements such as gait (walking); and also with improving strength and physical skills for activities of daily living, including oral-motor skills for eating and speaking goals.
Self-care is an important focus, and breathing education and relaxation techniques form an important part of the education provided.
What Osteopathic Services are not covered?
The NDIS goal is to assist in building lasting independence for movement, participation, lifestyle activities and function. If your Osteopathic therapy is not directly assisting in working toward the goals outlined in your support plan it will not be covered under NDIS.
This means we cannot simply provide hands-on Osteopathic treatment and use your NDIS funding. We need to provide you with education and a meaningful exercise therapy plan with your goals in mind.
(Hands-on treatment is still available to you but comes under the Health system, not the NDIS, so would require payment privately or with support from Medicare or your private health insurance fund).
What Osteopathic services can be offered?
Osteopathic therapy is very specific to the individual.
As Osteopaths, we use our hands to gather information about the way your body moves. This information coupled with visual assessment, measurements, your feedback and clinical observations helps us devise and progress your management plan.
Your Osteopath will work with you to assist in achieving your goals.
The strategies an osteopath would use include manual assessment, exercise programs and therapeutic activities for you to perform at home (sometimes with a carer) to improve your function and participation in the community.
How Do I Claim Osteopathy Through The NDIS?
To claim Osteopathy services under NDIS you need to have an approved support plan and clear goals we can help you toward.
For self-managed or plan-managed NDIS clients who are seeking Osteopathic therapy to enhance their function for activities of daily living you will need to do the following:
Check with your case manager to determine if functional and therapeutic services provided by an osteopath can be paid for with package funds.
Inform our receptionist upon booking and complete our NDIS Patient Intake Form.
Provide us with a copy of your current NDIS goals, or a copy of your current NDIS support plan. We require this before, or at, your initial appointment.
Your Osteopath will conduct the consultation and determine if the therapy we can provide is in alignment with your goals.
Following the consultation, your Osteopath will prepare an NDIS Service Agreement for you to discuss with your case manager to determine if the services are ‘reasonable and necessary’ to manage your functional needs. This report writing will incur a fee.
Once you sign & return the form your therapy plan can be started.
Your Osteopath will continue to monitor your progress against your goals using both subjective feedback and patient-reported outcome measures. We will also provide progress reports as required and communicate with your case manager if needed.
Consultations can be paid in full on the day by you, and then you place your claim with NDIS for reimbursement.
If you are plan-managed, we can invoice your support coordinator’s accounts department directly on your behalf if you wish.
How Do I Book in?
Please call our friendly reception team on 03 9783 9041 to discuss your booking needs at one of our clinics:
* Frankston * Highett * Healesville * Lilydale *