Assessment:

  • A consultant paediatrician or a consultant psychiatrist can refer under the Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder MBS assessment items (previously HCWA).
  • This can be for up to 8 assessment sessions (in a lifetime) across a range of allied health professionals including psychology (other allied health include, Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Audiologist, Optometrist, Orthoptist, Physiotherapist).
  • Only 4 can be allocated per discipline at a time before a review with the referring practitioner (case conference, phone call, written correspondence etc) would be needed for more.
  • Concurrent referrals to different allied health practitioners can be made.
  • Eligibility has increased from 13 years to up to 25 years of age.
  • An allied health practitioner (in consultation with the referrer) can make an interdisciplinary referral.
  • Allied health assessment items can also be used for assistance with developing a treatment and management plan.
  • You will need to pay for your full appointment costs at the time of your appointment and then you will receive a Medicare rebate (if the correct referral is in place). There is always an out of pocket cost as we are not a bulk billing provider

Treatment:

Medicare:

  • Once a diagnosis of a Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder has been made, and the consultant paediatrician or consultant psychiatrist has a treatment and management plan in place, they can refer to eligible allied health treatment practitioners (e.g., Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Audiologist, Optometrist, Orthoptist, Physiotherapist) for a total of 20 allied health treatment services (per lifetime)
  • The paediatrician or psychiatrist can refer to multiple eligible allied health practitioner concurrently
  • There is a maximum of 10 services per course of treatment.
  • Eligibility has increased from 15 years of age to 25 years of age
  • You will need to pay for your full appointment costs at the time of your appointment and then you will receive a Medicare rebate (if the correct referral is in place). There is always an out-of-pocket cost as we are not a bulk billing provider.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS):

The NDIS provides support to eligible people with intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial disability. Early intervention supports can also be provided for eligible people with disability or children with developmental delay.

To access NDIS services and become a participant you must:

  • Be an Australian citizen, or hold a permanent visa or a Protected Special Category visa,
  • Reside in Australia
  • Be aged less than 65 years old when initially entering NDIS
  • Have a permanent disability that significantly impacts your ability to participate in everyday activities

To check if you are eligible click here go to www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/am-i-eligible

If you meet the criteria and you would like to become a NDIS participant, call 1800 800 110 and ask to make an Access Request.