Rebates and Funding for Speech Therapy
No referral is necessary to access speech and language assessments and therapy.
However, you may be entitled to the following for rebates towards the cost of therapy.
Private Health Insurance
All of our Speech Pathologist’s are registered with Private Health Insurance Funds. At Talking Heads Kogarah Clinic, we have the HICAPS system which enables you to claim your rebate on the spot, and only settle the gap amount. Most services provided are covered under private health insurance. If you would like to determine the exact rebate amount, please contact your health insurance provider directly.
GP Chronic Disease Management Plan
If eligible, a referral by a GP under this plan enables the client to access a rebate from Medicare of $52.95 for up to 5 sessions in a calendar year. To obtain this referral, you will need to attend an appointment with your GP who will assess your eligibility for the plan and provide you with a written referral that must be brought to your initial appointment. Payment for the session is made upfront, and the Medicare claim can be lodged at Talking Heads on your behalf, or alternatively, you can take your receipt directly to Medicare.
Helping Children with Autism Medicare Rebates
Children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) may be eligible to claim rebates from Medicare up until the age of 13. The referral for this service, Item Number 135, is provided by a Paediatrician for up to 4 Allied Health assessment sessions and up to 20 Allied Health therapy sessions. Payment for the session is made upfront, and the Medicare claim can be lodged at Talking Heads on your behalf, or alternatively, you can take your receipt directly to Medicare.
Helping Children with Autism Early Intervention Funding through FAHCSIA
The Helping Children with Autism Early Intervention program has been implemented to assist families in accessing early intervention. Children under the age of 7 who are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are eligible to access up to $6000 per financial year, to a maximum of $12,000. Talking Heads Speech Pathology are registered early intervention providers and are able to provide services under FAHCSIA funding at both our Kogarah, Miranda and Kirrawee clinics.
Better Start for Children with a Disability Initiative through FAHCSIA
The Better Start for Children with a Disability Initiative has been implemented to assist families in accessing early intervention. Children with a diagnosis such as Down Syndrome, Hearing Loss, Cerebral Palsy, Fragile X and other eligible syndromes are eligible to access up to $6000 per financial year, to a maximum of $12,000. Talking Heads Speech Pathology are registered early intervention providers and are able to provide services under FAHCSIA funding at our Kogarah, Miranda and Kirrawee clinics.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Talking Heads Speech Pathology are registered providers through the NDIS which rolled out in our area in July 2017.
For more information on how the NDIS can help with Early Childhood Intervention, click here.
If you need help working out what step you are up to in the NDIS process, click here or contact us today on 9553 1400.
