October 2026
Bethany Robson, Physiotherapist
How Does a Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan Work for Physiotherapy?
If you have a long-term health condition that affects your movement, strength or ability to stay active, your GP may recommend physiotherapy as part of your ongoing care.
For eligible patients, Medicare can provide a rebate for physiotherapy through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP). This can make accessing physiotherapy more affordable while helping coordinate your care between your GP and other health professionals.
But how does a Medicare Chronic Disease Management Plan actually work for physiotherapy? How many appointments are covered, who is eligible, and how much will Medicare pay?
Here is what you need to know.
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What is a Chronic Disease Management Plan?
A Chronic Disease Management Plan is a Medicare-supported plan designed to help people manage a chronic health condition that requires ongoing care.
Since 1 July 2025, the current terminology is GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP). You may still hear people refer to these plans as Chronic Disease Management Plans, CDM plans, GP Management Plans or Team Care Arrangements.
The purpose of the plan is to coordinate care between your GP and relevant allied health professionals, which can include physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, dietitians, occupational therapists and other practitioners.
Your GP will determine whether you are eligible and whether physiotherapy would be beneficial as part of your management plan.
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Who can access Medicare-funded physiotherapy?
A GP Chronic Condition Management Plan is generally intended for people with a chronic or long-term health condition and complex care needs.
A chronic condition may include a health problem that has been present for an extended period and requires ongoing management. Examples can include arthritis, persistent musculoskeletal problems, neurological conditions and other long-term conditions that affect your physical function.
Importantly, having an injury or pain does not automatically mean you are eligible for Medicare-subsidised physiotherapy through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
Your GP needs to assess your individual circumstances and determine whether you meet the Medicare eligibility requirements.
How does a CDM plan work for physiotherapy?
The process is relatively straightforward.
1. Speak with your GP
The first step is to make an appointment with your GP.
Your GP will assess your health needs and determine whether a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan is appropriate. If physiotherapy is considered beneficial, your GP can include physiotherapy as part of your management plan.
2. Receive a referral to a physiotherapist
Your GP will provide a referral for physiotherapy.
The referral needs to be consistent with your management plan, and the physiotherapy service must contribute to managing your chronic condition and complex care needs.
You can then take the referral to an eligible physiotherapist.
3. Attend your physiotherapy appointments
Your physiotherapist will assess your condition and develop treatment based on your individual goals and the recommendations in your plan.
Depending on your condition, physiotherapy may involve exercises to improve strength, balance, mobility or physical function, education about managing your symptoms, and strategies to help you remain active.
4. Your physiotherapist communicates with your GP
Your physiotherapist is required to provide a written report to the referring GP after the first and last service. Additional reports can be provided when clinically necessary. These reports can outline your assessment, treatment and recommendations for ongoing management.
This helps your healthcare providers work together rather than treating your condition in isolation.
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How many physiotherapy sessions are covered by Medicare?
One of the most important things to understand is that Medicare does not provide unlimited physiotherapy appointments through a Chronic Condition Management Plan.
Eligible patients can generally access up to five individual allied health services per calendar year, including physiotherapy.
These five services are shared across eligible allied health services. For example, if your GP refers you for three physiotherapy appointments and two dietitian appointments under the relevant Medicare arrangements, you have used all five allied health services available for that calendar year.
The five services do not automatically roll over if you do not use them.
Your eligibility resets each calendar year, provided you continue to meet the relevant requirements.
How much does Medicare pay for physiotherapy?
For the current Medicare Benefits Schedule item for individual physiotherapy under a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, MBS item 10960 applies to eligible physiotherapy services.
As of 1 July 2026, the scheduled fee for this item is $74.55, with Medicare paying 85% of the scheduled fee, which is $63.40.
However, it is important to understand that this does not necessarily mean your physiotherapy appointment will cost only the gap between these amounts.
Private physiotherapy clinics set their own fees. If the clinic's fee is higher than the Medicare schedule fee, you may need to pay a gap.
For this reason, it is a good idea to ask your physiotherapy clinic about its fees and expected out-of-pocket cost before your first appointment.
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Does a CDM plan cover the full cost of physiotherapy?
Usually, no.
A Medicare rebate is different from having your appointment completely covered.
Medicare provides a rebate based on the relevant MBS item and scheduled fee. Your physiotherapy clinic may charge more than the Medicare scheduled fee, leaving you with an out-of-pocket cost.
Some clinics may offer specific billing arrangements for patients using a Chronic Condition Management Plan, while others may charge their standard consultation fee and process the Medicare rebate separately.
Always check with your physiotherapy clinic before booking if you are unsure about the cost.
What happens if I need more than five physiotherapy appointments?
Five Medicare-subsidised allied health services may not be enough for someone managing a long-term condition.
You can still attend physiotherapy after using your Medicare-supported services, but subsequent appointments may not attract the same Medicare rebate under the plan.
Your physiotherapist can discuss an appropriate treatment schedule with you based on your condition, goals and progress.
It is also important to remember that Medicare's five-service limit applies to the relevant allied health services available under the plan. It is not a recommendation that five physiotherapy sessions are sufficient to treat every condition.
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Can I use my CDM plan for any physiotherapy problem?
Not necessarily.
The physiotherapy service must be recommended as part of your management plan and must contribute to managing the chronic condition and complex care needs identified by your GP. The current MBS requirements also specify that the physiotherapy service must be at least 20 minutes in duration.
For example, if you have a chronic condition affecting your mobility, your GP may determine that physiotherapy can help you improve strength, movement and physical function.
Your physiotherapist can then work with you within the scope of the referral and your management plan.
Is a CDM plan the same as a normal physiotherapy referral?
No.
You can see a physiotherapist privately without a Medicare Chronic Condition Management Plan. You do not generally need a GP referral to book a standard private physiotherapy appointment.
The key difference is that a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan provides access to specific Medicare-supported allied health services for eligible patients.
A standard private physiotherapy appointment is paid for according to the clinic's usual fees, although other rebates or funding arrangements may apply depending on your circumstances.
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What should I do if my GP recommends physiotherapy?
If your GP believes physiotherapy could help manage your chronic condition, ask whether you are eligible for a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan and whether physiotherapy can be included.
Once you receive your referral, contact your physiotherapy clinic and let them know that you have been referred under a Medicare Chronic Condition Management Plan.
Before your appointment, ask about:
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The physiotherapy clinic's consultation fee
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The Medicare rebate you can expect
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Your estimated out-of-pocket cost
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How many Medicare-supported allied health services you have remaining
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Whether your referral is still valid
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The bottom line
A Medicare Chronic Disease Management Plan can provide valuable support for Australians living with chronic health conditions.
For eligible patients, the current GP Chronic Condition Management Plan can provide access to up to five individual allied health services per calendar year, including eligible physiotherapy services.
However, Medicare does not necessarily cover the full cost of your physiotherapy appointment, and eligibility depends on your individual circumstances and GP's assessment.
If you have a chronic condition that is affecting your movement, strength or ability to stay active, speak with your GP about whether physiotherapy could form part of your ongoing care plan. You can then contact your local physiotherapy clinic to discuss your referral, treatment options and expected costs.
Medicare rules, MBS item numbers and rebates can change. The information above reflects the arrangements available as of September 2026. For personalised advice about your Medicare eligibility, speak with your GP or contact Medicare.
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