Need a podiatrist? You should check whether your treatment is covered by Medicare first.

Podiatry is a specialist form of medical treatment that deals with diagnosing and treating conditions affecting feet. This can be anything from reconstructive surgery to prescribing orthotics.  

In Australia podiatry is considered an allied health profession, and so Medicare rebates are generally not available for visits to the podiatrist.

But if you have a chronic condition requiring ongoing care, and you’ve discussed your condition with your GP, you may be able to arrange access to Medicare-funded podiatry.

The Chronic Disease Management plan is designed for patients with complex health conditions. They need a structured approach to their health care, and need a number of different specialists, including their GP.

If you qualify for a CDM, you can get a Medicare rebate for up to five services each year.

In order to access these rebates you need a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangements provided to you by a GP. This means your GP will refer you to specialists for your condition and coordinate your healthcare.  However if you are a resident of an aged care facility you will automatically fall under a health care plan.

If you have a gold Veteran Affairs card you can have all charges from the podiatrist paid by Veteran’s Affairs – you will need a referral from your GP first.

If you have private health insurance you can use the HICAPS payment system for consultations with a podiatrist. Check with your health insurance fund to find out your level of cover. 

To find out more information, visit the Department Of Health website.

If you need to find a local podiatrist, Yellow Pages can help you find a specialist close to your home.