First Ever Medicare Rebates For Group Services Are For Type 2 Diabetes, Australia

Beginning 1 May, approved group services for the management of type 2 diabetes will be eligible for Medicare rebates, recognising the importance of a multi-disciplinary primary care approach to managing a condition affecting an estimated 1.5 millions Australians1. This important move has the full support of the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA), who were instrumental in getting group services recognised under Medicare, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) and the Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science (AAESS). DAA Executive Director, Claire Hewat, said, 'The Australian Government must be congratulated because this move will increase access to health services and deliver important health benefits for people with type 2 diabetes, and it signals a stronger commitment to allied health primary care. Dietitians, exercise physiologists, diabetes educators, general practitioners and practice nurses now need to work together to successfully implement group services and demonstrate how this can be a successful approach for other chronic conditions in the future'. ADEA Professional Officer, Kaye Neylon, said, 'We are delighted to have been working with DAA, AAESS and the Australian Government to get this program up and running. People with type 2 diabetes referred by their general practitioner are now entitled to an initial individual assessment, followed by up to eight group sessions in a calendar year provided by an eligible allied health professional - an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD), Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP), or Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE)'. AAESS Executive Officer, Anita Hobson-Powell, said, 'This Medicare initiative can provide a wide variety of services to groups of 2-12 people including medical nutrition and weight loss, exercise sessions, and blood glucose monitoring. The new rebates are in addition to the current Medicare items for individual services provided by allied health professionals, so Australians with type 2 diabetes can now access even more services to help them successfully manage their diabetes and prevent complications.' Chief Executive Officer, of the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN), Kate Carnell said, 'AGPN are keen to work with DAA, ADEAA and AAESS to ensure this initiative will provide the best outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes'. 1 It is estimated that 50% are yet to be diagnosed For more information on this program visit: DAA -

(Author: http://www.daa.asn.au)

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