Funding & Access

Medicare GP Management Plan | Physiotherapy Funding | Physio to Home

Michael Ghattas, Physiotherapist8 March 2026

Your GP can fund up to 5 home physiotherapy visits per year through Medicare. North Tasmania's home physiotherapist explains exactly how the GP Management Plan works and how to get one.

Micheal Ghattas

3/6/2026 · 6 min read

How to Use a Medicare GP Management Plan to Fund Home Physiotherapy in Tasmania

By Michael Ghattas, DPT | AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist | 18 Years Experience

Physio to Home, North Tasmania | Last reviewed: March 2026

Most Australians know that Medicare covers GP visits and hospital care. Far fewer know that Medicare also subsidises allied health services — including physiotherapy — for people with chronic conditions, through a pathway called the GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement. For people in North Tasmania managing conditions like osteoarthritis, chronic back pain, stroke, Parkinson's disease, or post-surgical recovery, this can mean up to five partially funded home physiotherapy visits per year at significantly reduced cost.

This guide explains exactly how the system works, who qualifies, what the process involves, and how to have the conversation with your GP.

Who this guide is for

This article is for people across North Tasmania who have a chronic health condition and want to understand whether Medicare can contribute to the cost of home physiotherapy. It is also useful for family members and carers who are helping an older person navigate the health system.

What Is a GP Management Plan?

A GP Management Plan (GPMP) — sometimes called an Enhanced Primary Care Plan or referred to alongside a Team Care Arrangement (TCA) — is a formal care plan written by your GP for patients who have a chronic medical condition that requires ongoing management.

The plan documents your health goals, the services you need, and the health professionals involved in your care. When a GP Management Plan is combined with a Team Care Arrangement — which brings in two or more allied health providers — it unlocks Medicare subsidies for a range of allied health services, including physiotherapy.

Under a Team Care Arrangement, you are entitled to up to five Medicare-subsidised allied health visits per year, which can be directed entirely to physiotherapy or split across different allied health disciplines.

What Conditions Qualify?

To be eligible for a GP Management Plan, you must have a chronic medical condition — defined as one that has been present for at least six months or is likely to be present for at least six months. There is no approved list of specific conditions. If your GP determines that you have a chronic condition that would benefit from physiotherapy as part of a multidisciplinary care plan, you qualify.

Conditions for which GP Management Plans are commonly written to include physiotherapy include:

Osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, or spine
Chronic low back or neck pain
Parkinson's disease
Stroke and neurological conditions
Chronic pain including fibromyalgia
Osteoporosis with mobility concerns
Post-surgical recovery from joint replacement
Diabetes with peripheral neuropathy or mobility complications
Cardiovascular conditions with deconditioning
Falls risk in older adults with contributing medical conditions

If you have been living with any of these conditions — or another chronic health problem affecting your mobility or function — speak to your GP about whether a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement is appropriate.

How Much Does Medicare Cover?

Under a Team Care Arrangement, the Medicare rebate for an allied health visit is currently $58.30 per session (indexed periodically — confirm the current rate with your GP or Medicare). If your physiotherapist charges more than the Medicare rebate, you pay the difference (the gap). If they charge at or below the rebate, you pay nothing out of pocket.

Physio to Home charges a gap on top of the Medicare rebate. The exact amount depends on the type and duration of the visit. When you contact us, we confirm the gap cost before your first appointment so you can make an informed decision without any obligation.

Five sessions per year is the maximum number of subsidised allied health visits under a Team Care Arrangement across all allied health disciplines combined. If you use physiotherapy for all five visits, no subsidised visits remain for other allied health services (such as podiatry or occupational therapy) until the following calendar year. Your GP can help you prioritise how to allocate your visits.

How to Get a GP Management Plan: Step by Step

Step 1 — Book a longer GP appointment

Writing a GP Management Plan takes more time than a standard consultation. When you call to book, tell the receptionist that you want to discuss a GP Management Plan for chronic disease management and ask for a longer appointment — typically 30–45 minutes.

Step 2 — Have the conversation with your GP

At your appointment, tell your GP that you are experiencing difficulties with your mobility, pain, or physical function and that you would like to discuss whether a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement would be appropriate. You do not need to know all the terminology — simply explain what is affecting you and that you are interested in physiotherapy support.

A useful phrase: *"I've been having difficulty with [your condition] and I'd like to see a home physiotherapist. I was wondering whether a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement would be appropriate so Medicare can contribute to the cost."*

Step 3 — Your GP writes the plan

If your GP agrees, they will write the GP Management Plan — documenting your chronic condition, your health goals, and the allied health services being included. This is billed to Medicare separately and does not cost you anything.

Step 4 — Receive your referral

Your GP will give you a referral letter to take to your physiotherapist, or may send it directly. The referral specifies the number of visits and the condition being managed.

Step 5 — Book with Physio to Home

Contact Physio to Home with your referral and we will arrange your first home visit. We process the Medicare rebate directly, and you pay only the applicable gap on the day.

Can I Use a GP Management Plan for Home Visits?

Yes. Medicare subsidies under a Team Care Arrangement apply to home visits as well as clinic visits. There is no requirement that physiotherapy be delivered in a clinic setting. This is particularly relevant for older Tasmanians and people with limited mobility for whom home visits are the only practical option.

GP Management Plans and Other Funding Sources

A GP Management Plan does not exclude you from other funding sources — it can be used alongside them. Common combinations include:

GP Management Plan + Home Care Package. Your five Medicare-subsidised visits can be used in addition to physiotherapy funded through your Home Care Package, effectively extending the number of funded visits you receive across the year.

GP Management Plan + Private Health Insurance. Depending on your extras policy, private health insurance may cover a gap payment after the Medicare rebate has been applied. Check with your fund about whether they cover the gap on allied health visits under a GP Management Plan.

GP Management Plan + NDIS. Medicare GP Management Plans are generally not used alongside NDIS funding for the same service — NDIS is typically the primary funder for NDIS participants. Your support coordinator can advise on the appropriate arrangement for your plan.

Reviewing and Renewing Your Plan

A GP Management Plan should be reviewed at least annually — or sooner if your health needs change significantly. At each review, your GP can confirm that physiotherapy remains an appropriate part of your plan and reissue the Team Care Arrangement for the next 12 months of subsidised visits.

If your five subsidised visits are used before the end of the calendar year and you require further physiotherapy, additional visits can be funded privately, through a Home Care Package, or through private health insurance. Your physiotherapist can help you think through the most cost-effective pathway.

Frequently Asked Questions

My GP hasn't mentioned a GP Management Plan. Why not?

GPs see many patients and do not always initiate the conversation about GP Management Plans proactively. It is entirely appropriate for you to raise it yourself. Many patients who would clearly benefit from one simply have not asked. Use the language in Step 2 above and your GP will be able to assess your eligibility quickly.

Can a GP Management Plan be used for physiotherapy for an older parent living at home?

Yes. If your parent has a chronic medical condition affecting their mobility or function, a GP Management Plan is appropriate regardless of age. In fact, older adults managing falls risk, arthritis, Parkinson's disease, or post-stroke recovery are among the most common and most appropriate recipients.

Does the GP Management Plan cover the full cost of physiotherapy?

The Medicare rebate ($58.30 per session, current rate) is a contribution toward the cost — not necessarily the full cost. Your physiotherapist sets their own fees. Some charge at or below the rebate (bulk billing); others charge more and you pay the gap. Always confirm the fee and gap before your first visit.

Can I choose which physiotherapist I see under a GP Management Plan?

Yes. You can direct your referral to any registered physiotherapist of your choosing. If you would like home visits from Physio to Home, mention this to your GP when requesting the referral so it is written accordingly.

What if my GP refuses to write a GP Management Plan?

Your GP has clinical discretion about whether a GP Management Plan is appropriate for your situation. If you feel strongly that it is warranted and your GP disagrees, you are entitled to seek a second opinion from another GP. In some cases, further documentation of your condition and its impact on function — from a physiotherapist or specialist — can support the case for a plan.

Want to Use Your Medicare Entitlements for Home Physiotherapy?

If you think a GP Management Plan could help you access funded home physiotherapy in North Tasmania, the first step is a conversation with your GP. If you would like to discuss your situation with us first — to understand whether physiotherapy is appropriate for your condition and what a course of treatment would involve — contact Physio to Home for a no-obligation chat before your GP appointment.

About the Author

Michael Ghattas, DPT

AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist | Doctor of Physical Therapy | 18 Years Clinical Experience

Michael is the founder of Physio to Home, a mobile physiotherapy practice serving older adults and rural residents across North Tasmania. He specialises in aged care physiotherapy, chronic pain management, and post-surgical rehabilitation delivered entirely in the home setting.

References & Further Reading

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Chronic disease management — GP services. www.health.gov.au, 2025.

Medicare Benefits Schedule. Allied health group services — Item 10950–10970. Commonwealth of Australia, 2025.

Australian Physiotherapy Association. Accessing physiotherapy through Medicare. APA, 2024.

My Aged Care. Getting help at home. www.myagedcare.gov.au, 2025.

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