Private Health Insurance
Private Health Insurance & Exercise Physiology for Diabetes: What’s Covered?
If you’re managing type 1 or type 2 diabetes and you hold private health insurance, you may be eligible to claim rebates for Exercise Physiology sessions to support your long-term health and independence.
At Metabolic Telehealth, we provide clinically-backed exercise interventions for people with diabetes — and many of our clients use private health extras cover to help pay for their sessions.
Here’s everything you need to know about how it works, how much you can claim, and how to get started.
What Is Covered Under Private Health?
Private health insurance extras cover (also known as ancillary cover) may provide rebates for Exercise Physiology — depending on your fund and level of cover.
What’s typically covered:
Initial assessments
One-on-one exercise sessions
Telehealth exercise consultations (if your fund includes it)
Exercise prescription & monitoring
You’ll need to check with your individual fund, but common providers that cover Exercise Physiology include:
Bupa
Medibank
HCF
nib
Australian Unity
HBF
Teachers Health
AHM
Tip: Look under your fund’s “Allied Health” or “Exercise Physiology” category in extras cover — it’s usually separate from physiotherapy or general medical.
Why Use Exercise Physiology for Diabetes?
Exercise Physiology is a clinical service delivered by university-trained allied health professionals (Accredited Exercise Physiologists – AEPs). It’s not “general fitness” — it’s targeted therapy for chronic disease.
Benefits for people with diabetes include:
Lower HbA1c (blood sugar) levels
Improved insulin sensitivity
Increased strength and cardiovascular health
Weight management and energy levels
Reduced risk of complications (e.g., foot ulcers, neuropathy)
Mental wellbeing and functional independence
Research supports that exercise therapy is as effective as medication for many aspects of type 2 diabetes management — and with fewer side effects.
Who Is Eligible?
To claim through your private health:
You must hold extras cover that includes Exercise Physiology
The sessions must be delivered by a provider with an AHPRA-registered provider number (we meet all these requirements)
In some cases, your fund may require a GP referral or pre-approval — always check your fund’s policy
You don’t need to have a chronic disease diagnosis to claim, but people with diabetes will benefit the most from structured, ongoing programs.
How Much Can I Claim?
It depends on your health fund and level of cover, but typically:
Rebates range from $20 to $70 per session
Yearly limits often apply (e.g., $300–$800 per year total across allied health services)
Gap fees may apply if your rebate does not cover the full session fee
At Metabolic Telehealth, our standard session fee is designed to be competitive with private health rebates, and we provide itemised invoices for easy claiming.
How to Claim – Step-by-Step
1. Check Your Extras Cover
Log into your health fund portal or call them to check:
Is Exercise Physiology included?
Are telehealth sessions eligible?
How much do they cover per session?
2. Book Your Initial Consultation
No referral is required (unless your fund asks for one). Just contact us to book your first appointment.
3. Pay and Receive Your Invoice
After your session, we’ll provide a receipt with the correct provider details, item numbers, and session codes for claiming.
4. Submit to Your Fund
You can usually claim through your fund’s mobile app, online portal, or at a health fund branch.
Ready to Start?
With no waitlists, flexible hours, and simple claiming, Metabolic Telehealth makes it easy to access high-quality exercise support — wherever you are in Australia.
Talk to a Consultant Today or book your first appointment and let us help you navigate your private health claiming process.
FAQs
Q: Is Exercise Physiology covered under physiotherapy benefits?
No — it’s usually a separate category. Be sure to check that “Exercise Physiology” is specifically listed in your extras cover.
Q: Can I use this rebate with Medicare or NDIS as well?
Not for the same session. You can’t double-claim a single appointment — but you can use different rebates for separate services (e.g., use Medicare for five sessions, and private health for additional ones).
Q: Are telehealth sessions claimable through private health?
Some funds allow it, others don’t. Always check with your provider before booking telehealth sessions if you want to claim them.
Q: Do I need a referral from my GP?
Most funds do not require a GP referral — but a few may, especially if claiming for chronic condition management. Check your individual policy.