Medicare
Medicare Rebates for Diabetes: What You Need to Know
Managing diabetes can be overwhelming, but help is available — and it doesn’t have to break the bank. If you’re living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in Australia, you may be eligible for rebates through Medicare to access exercise physiology, dietetics, podiatry, and other essential allied health services.
Here’s everything you need to know about accessing these rebates, what you’re entitled to, and how to get started.
What Support Does Medicare Offer for Diabetes?
Under the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan — also known as GP Management Plans (GPMP) and Team Care Arrangements (TCA) — eligible patients can access up to 5 Medicare-subsidised allied health visits per calendar year.
These visits can be used for:
Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs)
Dietitians
Podiatrists
Diabetes Educators
Psychologists (in some cases)
Why it matters: Research shows that lifestyle interventions — especially structured physical activity and dietary changes — are as effective as medications in managing blood glucose, reducing complications, and improving quality of life for people with diabetes.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible, you must:
Have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, lasting 6+ months.
Have a GP Management Plan (Item 721) in place.
Have Team Care Arrangements (Item 723) prepared by your GP if you require multidisciplinary care.
Tip: Your GP will determine if you’re eligible and refer you to the appropriate allied health professionals.
How Much Will It Cost?
Medicare provides a rebate of $58.30 per session (as of 2025) for each of the 5 visits. These visits must be provided by a Medicare-registered provider (like our Exercise Physiologists at Metabolic Telehealth).
Bulk billing may be available
If not bulk billed, you pay the gap between the provider's fee and the rebate
We offer clear pricing and flexible packages — ask us about options to minimise out-of-pocket expenses.
How to Access Your Rebate – Step-by-Step
1. Talk to Your GP
Book an appointment and ask if you’re eligible for a Chronic Disease Management Plan.
2. Get a Referral
Your GP will prepare the paperwork (GPMP + TCA) and write a referral for you to see an Exercise Physiologist or other allied health provider.
3. Book Your Sessions
Bring your referral to your first session. Medicare rebates will be processed after each appointment, either via bulk billing or claim-back.
Important Notes
The 5 sessions are shared across all allied health providers. So if you see a podiatrist twice and a dietitian once, only 2 sessions remain for other services.
You get a new set of 5 sessions each calendar year, but the GPMP/TCA must be reviewed annually.
You must attend sessions for the rebate to apply. No-shows without 24 hours’ notice may not be eligible.
Why Exercise Physiology?
Accredited Exercise Physiologists are university-qualified and specialise in clinical exercise interventions for people with chronic conditions like diabetes. Working with an AEP can help you:
Improve blood sugar control
Reduce insulin resistance
Prevent cardiovascular complications
Lose weight and increase energy
Avoid long-term complications (neuropathy, foot ulcers, etc.)
Studies show that regular exercise significantly improves HbA1c levels and reduces the need for medications.
Ready to Get Started?
At Metabolic Telehealth, we support patients across Australia with telehealth-based exercise programs tailored to diabetes management. We can even work with your GP directly to make the referral process seamless.
Talk to a Consultant Today to find out if you're eligible, or ask us to coordinate with your GP on your behalf.
FAQs
Q: Can I use all 5 sessions for Exercise Physiology?
Yes, as long as your GP refers you specifically to an AEP and allocates the sessions accordingly.
Q: Do I need a new referral every year?
Yes. Your GP will need to review your management plan and re-issue the referral each calendar year.
Q: Can I combine this with private health or DVA?
No, you cannot claim both Medicare and private health for the same service — but you may use private health for additional services beyond the 5 rebated sessions.