EPC physio: a guide to Enhanced Primary Care plans

An EPC (Enhanced Primary Care) is a Medicare-subsidised program that gives people access to allied health services to help manage chronic conditions.

If you or a family member are facing challenges managing a long-term health condition, the EPC program offers extensive care and numerous benefits.

In this article, we’ll look at EPC-managed physiotherapy services, exploring who qualifies for this program, the range of services covered, available rebates, and the potential duration of treatment.

Whether you’re considering enrolling in an EPC plan or simply curious about its benefits, understanding the wealth of support available through this program is essential for anyone navigating the challenges of chronic health management.

Enhanced Primary Care plan: services and how to qualify

Many allied health services are covered under an EPC, including podiatry, exercise physiology and dietetics. Your GP will decide the best-allied health services to suit your needs.

There are certain criteria that need to be met to be eligible for an EPC plan. These are at the discretion of your GP, so it is best discussed with them.

For more information on eligibility and requirements, visit Services Australia.

EPC plan: sessions and duration

If eligible, you can access up to 5 allied health treatments each calendar year. Depending on your needs, these may be all physiotherapy or a combination of physio and other allied health services.

An EPC plan lasts until all the referred services have been used with no set expiry. However, your GP may want to review your progress at certain intervals to ensure that your needs haven’t changed.

EPC plan physio: costs

Medicare rebates for physiotherapy through an EPC plan of $58.30 (as of Nov 2023) are available.

In some instances, treatments under an EPC plan are bulk billed. In other circumstances, there may be a small gap to pay on top of the Medicare subsidy. This is processed by paying the full fee upfront, with your Medicare rebate being sent to your account within a few days.

Please discuss this with your chosen clinic before booking an appointment.

EPC physio: can I choose my physiotherapist under the EPC plan?

Yes. If your GP deems you eligible, you can request a referral to a specific physiotherapist. In the case of North West Physiotherapy, this would simply involve telling your GP the name of your chosen physiotherapist or clinic if you have a preferred location.

If your GP refers you to North West Physiotherapy as part of a Team Care Arrangement, you can call us directly to make an appointment.