New study reveals unmet need for Medicare-funded physiotherapy services

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) welcomed findings of a new study into uptake of allied health services and multidisciplinary care plans under Medicare's Chronic Disease Management (CDM) program, as published in the Australian Health Review this week.

APA President Melissa Locke said,‘This research is a necessary step towards optimising Australia's healthcare system in light of increasing chronic illness, where currently three out of every four Australians are likely to experience a chronic illness at some stage in their life.'

To date, there has been little evaluation of the 13 allied health services available under Medicare's CDM program, particularly from a multidisciplinary perspective. These new findings, however, reveal that physiotherapy and podiatry account for 73 per cent of all CDM consultations.

‘While commendable that Australians with chronic diseases are eligible for subsidised physiotherapy and multidisciplinary care under the CDM, it is obvious that there is an unmet need for physiotherapy services in our community under the broader Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS)'.

‘As the cornerstone of health funding in Australia, arrangements under the MBS have significant impact on patients. Today's payment system reimburses inputs rather than outcomes, so there are few incentives to avoid hospitalisations or to preferentially fund the most cost-effective treatments. A good example of this is physiotherapy rather than surgery, to manage urinary incontinence.

‘Physical activity is recommended for the prevention, treatment and management of many chronic illnesses. Physiotherapists are primary contact professionals who prescribe evidence-based therapeutic exercise programs. They facilitate individuals to self-manage and are the most referred-to health providers, including medical specialists.

‘Physiotherapists have expert knowledge and offer a wide variety of services to both people who are at risk of developing or have chronic diseases but, unfortunately, current funding mechanisms restrict the ability for people to access optimal levels of physiotherapy services,' Ms Locke said.

The APA supports the research findings that "a review of Medicare CDM policy is warranted... (and that) research is also required to identify the extent the policy is meeting the needs of GPs, allied health providers and their chronic disease patients.'

‘We recommend that the government implements more flexible funding models for healthcare service delivery to people with chronic diseases, but recognise that many viewpoints are to be considered in discussions regarding the MBS and therefore propose incremental reform,' said Ms Locke.

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