Understanding the 5-Treatment Care Plan in Allied Health

For many Australians, accessing allied health services is made easier through government-supported care plans.

The Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan, allows eligible individuals to receive Medicare rebates for up to five allied health treatments per calendar year. However, it is important to note that Acupuncturists are not included in this scheme.

Acupuncture is Not Covered

While acupuncture is widely recognized for its benefits in pain management, stress relief, and overall well-being, it is not included under the CDM Plan.

This means that Medicare does not provide rebates for acupuncture treatments, and patients seeking this service will need to pay privately.

Some patients mistakenly believe they are receiving acupuncture under Medicare when visiting other allied health professionals such as physiotherapists or chiropractors who may offer dry needling. It is important to understand that dry needling is not the same as traditional acupuncture, which is performed by a qualified and registered acupuncturist trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. Acupuncturist goes through extensive education, typically completing a 4 - 5 years degree, while dry needling practitioner often receiving only a few hours or days of training before they claim to offer the service.

Why See a Registered Acupuncturist?

Although not covered under the Medicare-subsidized care plan, acupuncture can still be a valuable addition to your health strategy.

Many people seek acupuncture for concerns such as:

• Chronic pain (e.g., back pain, migraines, arthritis)

• Stress and anxiety management

• Digestive health support

• Women’s health concerns

  
  

If you are considering acupuncture as part of your health routine, consulting with a registered acupuncturist ensures safe, evidence-based treatment tailored to your individual needs. Unlike dry needling, acupuncture is a holistic practice that involves careful diagnosis and treatment planning based on Traditional Chinese Medicine.

(Source: World Health Organization - Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42414)

A 5-treatment care plan is a valuable resource for managing chronic conditions with allied health support.

However, if you are looking for genuine acupuncture treatment, it is important to see a registered acupuncturist rather than relying on treatments like dry needling.

At our clinic, we offer personalized acupuncture sessions to support your health and well-being.

While Acupuncture is not currently included in Medicare plan, we hope that one day it will be, so that our patients can benefit from it.

If you would like to experience the benefits of acupuncture, book an appointment with us today and take the next step toward better health.

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