+ What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy, also known as Physical Therapy, are allied health professionals who help in the treatment of physical injuries. Physiotherapists work in many different areas (Explore the Australian Physiotherapy Association website for more information).

Private practice physiotherapists often consist of practitioners who treat musculoskeletal (muscles and joints) and sports injuries, however they can diversify depending on their experience and interests.

+ What is involved in a physiotherapy treatment session?

The physiotherapist will listen to your needs and tailor a treatment plan to help you meet your goals. This will involve a process understanding your injury and perform assessments to diagnose your problems.

Treatment approaches will vary depending on the physiotherapist and may involve a combination of hand-on treatment (i.e. soft tissue and joint mobilisation, dry needling/ acupuncture, taping, etc...) and/or exercise prescription (stretches, strengthening) to help facilitate your recovery.

+ How many treatments sessions will I need?

The number of treatment sessions will depend on the type and severity of your condition. Multiple sessions are often required to monitor your progress, upgrading your exercises and adjusting your treatment plan. This increases the likelihood of you achieving your goals.

+ Do I need a Doctor's referral?

As first contact practitioners, you do not need a doctor's referral to see a physiotherapist in Australia. However, a referral may help facilitate your management by working collaboratively with your doctor as part of a treatment team.

+ I've had "Physio" and it didn't work. What is different about Rehabilitation Plus?

Physiotherapy management will often vary between practitioners. Factors such as level of experience, qualifications, interests, assessment findings and treatment approaches can influence the decisions the physiotherapist make about your care at that particular time. We understand that not all approaches will suit each individual.

At Rehabilitation Plus, our approach to physiotherapy management will always involve taking a detailed history of your injury and formulating a plan for recovery. By helping you to manage your pain, addressing your impairments with progressive strengthening exercises, and promoting an understanding of your condition are our fundamentals to treatment. Your involvement in your treatment is important to us and we will work closely to monitor your progress.

+ What is Worker's Compensation Insurance?

Worker's Compensation (formally and more commonly known as Work Cover) is a state-based insurance system governed by Return to Work SA to help employees who sustained an injury at work to recovery and return to pre-injury duties.

Larger organisations may be Self-Insured and have their own insurance procedures. However, the Return to Work process is governed by the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and will following similar processes.

+ Do I require Worker's Compensation following an injury?

The decision to be under Worker's Compensation is not compulsory following an injury, but it may help you with your recovery. If an injury has been sustained at work, the insurance scheme can help support you by paying for any medical and treatment costs or time off work as a result of the injury and help provide additional resources to facilitate recovery. It is organised by your workplace after reporting your injury and then seeking medical review. Please ask your workplace for more details.

+ Who ARE involved in the Return to Work process?

• Workplace: Your workplace is primarily involved in your return to full duties following a work-related injury, finding suitable duties to help you remain in the workplace without further aggravating your injury. This may involve your employer or a workplace representative.
• Doctor: Your General Practitioner (GP)will help to diagnose your injury and is your primary healthcare professional during your Return to Work process. They will help to determine the relationship between your injury and your workplace, and help monitor your recovery. A Work Medical Certificate (WMC) or Work Capacity Certificate (WCC) will be issued outlining the workplace restrictions to help determine your physical limitations at work before being reviewed again.
• Case Manager/ Claims Agent: A case manager helps to oversee the Insurance Claim and ensure your recovery from injury is efficient and effective by communicating between you, your doctor and workplace. They can help to determine if there are any barriers to your process and answer any questions you may have about receiving Worker's Compensation.

+ Who MAY be involved in the Return to Work process?

• Physiotherapist: A physiotherapist will provide treatment for your physical injuries, formulating a progressive exercise rehabilitation program to help you get stronger and ready to return to pre-injury duties. They can help provide additional information to your doctor and workplace about your recovery and work restrictions.
• Rehabilitation Consultant: A Rehabilitation Consultant works with the Case Manager and workplace to help co-ordinate the recovery of long term and complex injuries by addressing possible barriers. Through further communication with your Healthcare professionals, they may help formulate a graduated Return to Work Plan/ Program (RTWP) so ensure your return to full duties is safe as possible.
• Occupational Physician: An Occupational Physican is a specialist doctor who is trained in the field of occupational (workplace) medicine. They may be involved in complex Worker's Compensation cases where physical and mental barriers are affecting the patient's recovery and serve as a point of consultation to address these issues. They can provide guidence to your existing team of health professionals and workplace to ensure you are moving in the right path towards recovery.

+ What WE DO in the Return to Work process?

To ensure our role as a treating physiotherapist is effective as possible, we aim to understand your position in your workplace and tailor our rehabilitation to meet the demands of your duties. With our experience as an Injury Management Consultant, we will work with your Doctor, Case Manager, Workplace and Rehabilitation Consultant as part of your management team to ensure your treatments are aligned with your Return to Work Program and recovery goals. In addition, we are able to attend any scheduled medical and workplace Case Conferences to help support your return to work.

+ Am I allowed to change physiotherapists even though I am currently having treatment with another physiotherapist for my work-related injury?

Under the Worker’s Compensation legislation, you are able to choose your own team of health care professionals even though your doctor or workplace may prefer you to see one of their choosing. This may include changing your physiotherapist if you are unhappy with your current rehabilitation. However, we advise you to speak with your current physiotherapist and discuss alternative treatment approaches which may help you achieve your goals.

+ How can I gain more information about Worker's Compensation in South Australia?

You can find more information about Worker's Compensation on the Return to Work SA website which details all the obligations and responsibilities of your Workplace, Treatment Providers and yourself during the Return to Work process. Or you can contact your claims agent who manages the claims on behalf of Return to Work SA; Employers Mutual Limited (EML) and Gallagher Bassett (GB).

+ What is a Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan?

Formally known as an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan, it is a Medicare Rebate referral system for allied health services for eligible patients if they have a chronic (or terminal) medical condition that has been (or likely to be present for six (6) months or longer) which includes musculoskeletal conditions and pain presentations. It can only be arranged by your General Practitioner (GP).

+ How many visits do it get under the CDM?

A Medicare rebate is available for a up to five (5) service visits per patient each calendar year as stated by your GP referral. If all services are not used during the calendar year, the unused services can be used in the next calendar year but will be counted towards the five (5) maximum number of visits available for that year. When all referred services have been used, or a referral to a different allied health provider is required, patients need to obtain a new referral.

For example, if five (5) visits were allocated in 2020 and only three (3) are used, the remaining two (2) are able to be used in the following year, leaving a possible 3 visits left for 2021. However, another referral by your GP is required for the additional three (3) visits.

+ Do I have to pay a gap if I have a CDM referral from a GP?

The CDM Medicare benefit will only cover $58 of each physiotherapy session. The patient will need to pay a small gap which covers the difference between the fee charged and the Medicare rebate.

+ What is required by the physiotherapist who accepts the CDM plan?

Each session is required to last for at least 20 minutes. As part of the service, the physiotherapist will communicate with the GP after the first and last sessions so they are aware of your assessment, treatment and any recommendations regarding the management of your chronic condition. This helps to facilitate a collaborative approach with your doctor.