A varied and complex illness such as Parkinson’s usually requires a range of treatments and therapies. These are generally available through a combination of public, community and private healthcare systems. Often people with Parkinson’s will access a combination of treatments across these systems.

The main difference between these systems is cost. Put simply, you can access the public system for no cost, the community system for a subsidised rate (with subsidy levels varying depending on whether you have a Concession Card or not) or the private healthcare system on a user-pays-rebate basis (a range of Medicare and private health insurance rebates are available).

Specifically, your treatment costs vary according to:

• The Treatment Options you choose
• The Medicare Rebates & Subsidies available
• Whether you are eligible for any Healthcare Programs
• Whether you have Private Health Insurance
• Whether you are eligible for Net Medical Expenses Tax Offsets

Navigating the different healthcare systems can be complex and keeping up with your treatment needs is often expensive. This section aims to help you understand these five options and how they affect your expenses.

Treatment Options
Find a treatment cost overview (PDF File 41KB) here.

Medicare Safety net, Rebates and Subsidies
The public health insurer, Medicare provides rebates and subsidies for many health costs, such as:

• Private doctors & specialists bills
• A limited number of private allied health & counselling bills (see Health Program section below) (for those who are eligible)
• Some prescription medications
• Private health insurance (see Private Health Insurance section below)

Find a more detailed list of what Medicare covers here.

To safeguard against high medical costs, Medicare has a Safety Net.
This means that visits to your doctor or health tests will cost less after your annual out-of-pocket expenses reach the safety net level.

Remember! Eligible allied and mental health out-of-pocket expenses also contribute to the safety net.

How to Save on Medication
Medicare subsidises the cost of medication listed in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). An additional concession subsidy is available to concession cardholders.

Medicare also provides a PBS safety net. This means that medication will cost you less once your out-of-pocket medication expenses reach the safety net level.

Healthcare Programs
Depending on eligibility, you can get subsidised access to allied health services through the following programs:

Community Health Centre (CHC) Services
are located throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria. Your local CHC will usually provide a range of services, from allied health therapists to exercise and wellbeing groups. Community health service fees are subsidised according to a means (that is, income and assets) test. Concession card holders receive heavy subsidies, while employed and self-funded retirees receive partial subsidies.

Note: The range of services and prices charged will vary between regions. Find your local community health centre here.
Remember! Show your concession card to receive your full concession discount.

Services are often in high demand, so waiting lists can be substantial in some areas. Enquire about waiting periods if you are considering accessing a service through your local community health centre. If waiting lists are too long, you may consider using private allied health services under the following rebate programs.

Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Program
This program targets people with a chronic illness or disability who require multiple health services to help them better manage their condition. Under this program, you can receive Medicare rebates for 5 allied health sessions each year.

To be eligible, your GP needs to create a Care Plan for you that identifies the allied health services relevant to your needs. For more information, talk to your GP or Medicare 13 20 11.

Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative
This initiative, called Access to Allied Psychological Services program (ATAPS), provides Medicare rebates for a range of mental health services provided by psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses, occupational therapists, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers.

Find a list of Victorian mental health workers here.

To be eligible, your GP needs to create a Mental Health Care Plan for you. Depending on your circumstances, you may receive rebates for up to 12 time-limited individual and/or group sessions. A final 6 rebated sessions may be available after a subsequent GP review.

For more information, download the Beyond Blue Fact Sheet #24 “Help for Depression Under Medicare”, talk to your GP or Medicare: 13 20 11.

Private Health Insurance
All Australian citizens are entitled to free treatment under the public health system. However, there can be benefits for those people who choose private health cover. To find out more, download our article on private health insurance(PDF File 37KB).

Net Medical Expenses Tax Offsets
You can claim a tax offset of 20% from your accumulated eligible net medical expenses over $1500. Net medical expenses are illness or operation-related out-of-pocket expenses after Medicare or private health insurance rebates. There are a range of claimable expenses. Those most relevant to Parkinson’s include:

• Expenses paid to doctors, nurses, chemists, public and private hospitals,
• Therapeutic treatments under the direction of a doctor,
• Medical aids prescribed by a doctor
• Opticians or optometrists, including prescription glasses or contact lenses,
• Laser eye surgery,
• Dentists, Orthodontists or registered Dental Mechanics.

Find more information at Australian Tax Office - Net Medical Expenses Tax Offset - 13 28 61