Interventions for Chronic Disease

Activate Health’s programs, education, and support help you prevent, manage and treat all types of Chronic Disease including but not limited too;

Medicare referred services: 

– Chronic disease GP Management Plan and Team care arrangements (10950 to 10970)

– Aboriginal and Torres straight Islander follow-up services (81300 to 81360)

– Group Allied Health Services for people with Type 2 Diabetes (81115 and 811250

ACTIV Survivors (Cancer survivors and patients)

ACTIVATE Neuro (Parkinson and stroke)

Interventions for Cardiac and respiratory diseases

My Health for Life (Health promotion program) 

See our conditions page for more information on how we can help manage difference chronic diseases.

Medicare Referred services (Bulk billed private consultations)

Chronic Disease Management Program:

Medicare rebates are available for patients with chronic and complex care needs on referral from their GP.

• Each Patient can access 5 bulk billled individual consultation, assessment and or treatment services each calender year shared between Allied Health providers, including Exercise physiologist, Physiotherapist, and Occupational Therapy.
• The 5 services can include:
  • 5 of the same service type, for example, physiotherapy
  • a mix of different service types, for example, 1 dietetic, 2 podiatry and 2 physiotherapy services

The Chronic Disease Management (CDM) program is an initiative of Medicare Australia, designed to support individuals with the management of a chronic disease and/or a musculoskeletal injury. The CDM enables a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of chronic diseases and injuries, to enable long-term resolution of the individual’s condition.

A “chronic medical condition” is a medical condition or injury which has been experienced, or is likely to be experienced, for 6 months or longer (as defined by Medicare Australia for the purposes of the CDM program). The following medical conditions represent those typically covered under the CDM program (but are not limited to):

• Weight loss/ weight managements
• Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis
• Falls risk and balance training
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes mellitus (Type 2 diabetes)
• Musculoskeletal conditions such as chronic pain, bursitis, joint degeneration or reduced capacity
• Stroke
• Respiratory Diseases

Upon a referral from your GP, you will have access to the services of an ACTIVATE Health Allied health team for up to five (5) visits. In these sessions, our Health Professionals will assess your individual needs, and then tailor an exercise and lifestyle modification program to assist you. Within your exercise sessions, you will experience one-to-one supervision under the care of our Exercise Physiologists, where you will undertake an exercise routine that has been specifically designed to improve your medical condition or injury.

The goal of these one-on-one consultation is to provide treatment and ongoing education and empowerment for individuals to better manage their chronic disease, illness, and disability. In practice treatment and education is performed along with at home independent intervention prescribed such as rehabilatory exercise, daily living modification, lifestyle changes, or health promotion exercise.

Individuals may also move on to regular Activate Health group exercise classes (private paying) following recommendation from the initial consultation, or continue at home independent performance with regular monitoring and support via subsequent one on one consultation.

Aboriginal and Torres straight Islander follow-up services (81300 to 81360)

ATSI individuals can also access a further 5 allied health follow-up services per calendar year in addition to the Chronic Disease Management plan above.

The 5 services can include:

• 5 of the same service type, for example, physiotherapy
• a mix of different service types, for example, 1 dietetic, 2 podiatry and 2 physiotherapy services.

These sessions allow great access to Health professionals and allow for increased support for your chronic disease goals.

Group Allied Health Services for Type 2 Diabetes 

The Type 2 Diabetes Group Services initiative provides 1 Private Consultation and 8 Group sessions for an Exercise Physiologist. These can be used to participate in any of our Activate Health Group Exercise session. The private Consultation can be used for Health assessment and education, and to determine to class ability type that best suits the patient. These can include in gym classes of different abilities (seated and gentle up to active and functional) and Hydrotherapy. Classes consist of 2 to 12 participants and are taken by an Accredited Exericse physiologist experienced with exercise and Diabetes management.

See further information on the types of pf classes that will benefit from you in or Group Exercise page

Cancer and Exercise Physiology

Exercise has been a proven therapy to aid in the rehabilitation before and during cancer treatment and into survivorship.  The process of cancer rehabilitation involves physically recovering from your cancer, cancer treatment and also adjusting to any physical changes experienced. Everybody has a different experience and some people’s bodies are affected more than others. 

The first question most people ask before they begin an exercise program is:

“Is it safe?”

The answer is yes, with a trained professional such as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist it is safe to exercise during all phases of the cancer continuum.

Prior to treatment exercise can assist to reduce treatment related complications and improve post surgery recovery.

Whilst undergoing cancer treatment exercise poses some amazing benefits which include:

• Increased function
• Increased health outcomes
• Increased quality of life

• Decrease tiredness and depression and improve sleep
• Reduced the number, duration and severity of side effects of treatment (fatigue, nausea, pain, lymphoedema etc)

Once treatment is completed exercise can assist to:-

• Prevent, improve and/or manage the long-term side effects of treatment (eg chemo-brain, fatigue, bone strength)
• Improve immune function
• Reduction in sexual dysfunction
• Reduce the risk of the cancer reoccurring
• Prevent the development of new cancers
• Reduce the risk of developing other chronic diseases including diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis.

There are many different modes of exercise but research has shown these types are beneficial:-

• Cardiovascular OR Aerobic training (brisk walking, running, swimming etc.)
• Resistance/Strength OR Anaerobic training (weights, TheraBand’s, cables etc.)
• Balance and Coordination to reduce the risk of falls
• Flexibility and Agility

What do we offer:-

At Activate Health we have many options for exercise.  We treat you as a whole person and not just your diagnosis.  Our Exercise Physiologist has completed further training in Exercise Oncology and will work with you to tailor your program to your individual needs taking into consideration all aspects of your treatment, side affects and health conditions in a safe environment with modifications made when required.  We offer the following:-

• An extensive initial assessment to discuss your diagnosis, treatment and any other medical conditions. Assessments will be carried out at this time to assess your level of function and fitness.
• Individual exercise sessions – these can be conducted within our clinic, in your home, at the pool or via Telehealth.
• Activ Survivors Group sessions – follow your individual program in a group setting.

Your return or uptake of exercise does not have to be immediate, it should be a progressive step in your rehabilitation. Activate Health can help with this step to ensure your concerns are addressed and your safety and wellbeing is managed at all times.

How much does it cost?

Funding is available through the following avenues:-

• Bulk-billed through Medicare – you can obtain a referral through your General Practitioner for five bulk-billed sessions (with no out-of-pocket cost).
• Department of Veteran Affairs
• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• My Aged Care (MAC) Package
• Workcover, Income Protection Insurance or Return to Work Programs
• Private Health Insurance rebates

Please contact our administration team for more information.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Entitled Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) clients (Veteran Gold Card and Veteran White Card holders) can be referred to Allied Health services (Exercise Physiologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physiotherapists) by their General Practitioner, Medical Specialist, treating hospital doctor, or hospital discharge planner.

D904 referral form.

Interventions with our Allied Health practitioners (Exercise Physiologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physiotherapists) can include but are not limited too:

Occupational Therapist’s

• Home or workplace assessments and modifications
• Mental and mobility exercises
• mental health treatment, community and workplace engagement, community and social access and activities

Exercise Physiologist’s

• the delivery of clinical exercise to manage chronic disease such as COPD, Diabetes, CVD, Osteoporosis, arthritis, Cancer, Chronic musculoskeletal conditions, Mental Health Conditions.
• Exercise management and rehabilitation for treatment of a major injury or illness
• interventions to increase mobility and independence, quality of life, and wellness
• Pre and post-surgery exercise interventions

Physiotherapist’s

• exercise programs to improve movement and control
• airway clearance techniques that help to decrease lung infections and improve lung function
• soft tissue massage to improve range of motion, joint flexibility and relieve pain
• dry needling that can provide pain relief and restore movement
• water therapy conducted in a heated pool
• aids and appliances

My Health For Life

Activate Health Facilitates this practical group program in its local CQ practices please call to enquire 49 39 5696.The program offers a positive and supportive environment to share and learn as a group, while working on your own personal health goals.

Home Page – My health for life

Ways to access our services

Chronic Disease Medicare Referrals (Bulk billed)

Type 2 Diabetes Group referral

Activ Survivors (Cancer survivors and patients)

Indigenous Health

My Aged care packages, DVA, NDIS