Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral before starting physiotherapy?
In most cases, you do not need a doctor's referral to see a physiotherapist as a private patient. Physios are fully equipped to be your first point of contact for musculoskeletal complaints. They can assess your condition, provide treatment, and develop appropriate management plans.
However, a doctor's referral is required in some circumstances:
-
When claiming for a work injury through workers compensation
-
For CTP insurance claims
-
For Veterans Affairs (DVA) benefits
-
When using a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan.
Can I claim physiotherapy on Medicare?
Physiotherapy is generally not covered by Medicare. However, if you are eligible for a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan you can get partial reimbursement for up to 5 physiotherapy treatments per calendar year.
A CDM plan is only for people who:
-
have a chronic medical condition
-
are deemed eligible by your GP
-
have a referral from your GP.
If you have a CDM plan, you will receive a rebate of around $60 for each of the 5 treatment sessions.
Can I use my private health fund card?
Yes you can. We offer HICAPS claiming, allowing you to swipe your health fund card and receive your rebate instantly at our clinic. You'll only need to pay any remaining gap.
Please note that coverage varies between health funds and levels of cover. If you have private health insurance with "extras" coverage, you should be eligible to claim a portion of your treatment fee. For an accurate estimate of your specific coverage, contact your health fund directly.
Do you treat people under workers compensation or CTP Insurance?
Yes we do. Please notify reception when booking that your appointment is under workers compensation or CTP insurance. For us to bill your insurance company directly, please bring the following to your initial visit or email them to us:
-
Your insurance company details
-
Your claims officer's details
-
A doctor's referral prescribing physiotherapy treatment
-
A valid claim number.
If your insurance company hasn't yet accepted liability or if you don't have the required information at your first session, you'll need to pay for the consultation upfront. You can then submit the invoice to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Once we receive confirmation that your sessions are approved, we'll bill your insurance company directly, eliminating any out-of-pocket expenses for you.
What does a consultation cost?
Our fees are:
-
Initial consultation: $165
-
Follow-up consultations: $130
-
Complex consultations: $200
-
Consultations involving multiple body parts: $200
If you have private health insurance, you can claim your rebate immediately through HICAPS. You'll only need to pay any remaining gap.
With proper documentation, workers compensation or CTP sessions are billed directly to the insurer, resulting in no out-of-pocket expenses for you.
If you have a CDM plan, you will receive a rebate of around $60 for up to 5 sessions per calendar year.
How long is a treatment session?
Your initial appointment will be up to 60 minutes and includes a comprehensive assessment and treatment. All subsequent appointments are typically 30 minutes in duration.
If you are new to the practice, please arrive a few minutes before your scheduled appointment to complete the necessary paperwork.
What should I bring to my first session?
Please bring:
-
A change of clothes suitable for assessment and treatment
-
Appropriate footwear and any relevant sporting equipment
-
Any recent and relevant x-rays, scans, or medical reports
-
Medical referrals if applicable
-
Required documentation if you're claiming through:
-
workers compensation
-
CTP insurance
-
A Medicare CDM plan.
-
Bringing these items helps ensure a productive initial session and streamlines any insurance or healthcare claims processing.
Should I bring my scans and reports with me?
Yes, please bring with you all relevant scans and reports. These will help us to assess your condition.
Do I need to bring a change of clothes?
Depending on the area being treated, we have shorts available for you to change into, but feel free to bring your own clothes if you prefer.
While not all treatments require a change of clothes, our physiotherapists prefer to see the area they're working on. This allows for easier assessment of strength and movement, as well as palpation of relevant structures. That's why wearing shorts and a singlet top is often preferred.
If you're uncomfortable changing or exposing the treatment area, we understand. Our physiotherapists are experienced in assessing and working through clothing to ensure your comfort throughout the session.
If you have a lower limb injury or condition where footwear may be relevant, please bring any running shoes, football boots, or other shoes you feel might be important for your assessment.
What hours are you open and how soon can I get an appointment?
We're open Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm. We can typically schedule your appointment on the same day you request it. We prioritise urgent treatment needs and will do our best to accommodate you quickly.
All sessions require an appointment. To book a session, please call 9387 7419 or book online at brontephysio.com.au.
Where are you located? Where can I park?
We are at 38 Arden St, Clovelly, on the corner of Arden Street and Brandon Street. There is plenty of parking available or you can catch the 360 or 362 bus which stops 50m from the practice.
What happens if I have to cancel my appointment?
We understand that sometimes you may need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. However, you must give us at least 12 hours’ notice by calling or emailing the clinic. Otherwise, we'll charge a cancellation fee.
If you have to cancel within 12 hours, we'll charge you a cancellation fee of 50% of the treatment charge. If you do not attend your appointment, we charge a cancellation fee of 100% of the treatment charge. You may not book any further appointments until you have paid the charges.