From 1 July 2025, Medicare is changing how chronic condition referrals are managed between GPs and allied health practitioners. If you currently access Medicare subsidised appointments with physiotherapists from Eastern Sports and Spinal Care or the podiatrists, exercise physiologists or psychologists at Move for Better Health, these changes may affect you.

We’ve summarised what’s changing, what it means for your care, and what you might need to do to continue accessing support below.

GP Chronic Condition Management Plans: The New Version of EPCs

Up until 30th June 2025, if you had a chronic health condition and were seeing multiple medical or allied health practitioners for your care, your GP could refer you for some partially funded visits under Medicare with an allied health practitioner. These plans have historically been called EPCs (Enhanced Primary Care plans) or Chronic Disease Management Plans.

From 1 July 2025, these existing plans will be replaced by a new, simplified plan called the GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP).

This change is designed to:

• Make care planning simpler and more streamlined
• Encourage more regular reviews with your GP
• Support ongoing coordination and improve the transfer of information between members of your healthcare team

What’s Changing?

Here’s what to expect from 1 July 2025:

• GPMPs, TCAs and EPCs will be replaced by a single plan – the GPCCMP.
• You’ll still be eligible for up to 5 allied health visits per calendar year that Medicare will partially subsidise.
  • The full range of allied health disciplines that can accept GPCCMPs include Aboriginal health workers or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners, audiologists, chiropractors, diabetes educators, dietitians, exercise physiologists, mental health workers, occupational therapists, osteopaths, physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychologists and speech pathologists.
• Your GP will no longer need to involve two or more collaborating providers to refer you. This requirement (previously part of TCAs) has been removed.
• GPs can now refer you directly using a standard referral letter – just like they would when referring you to a medical specialist.
• Referrals are still required for each type of allied health service you attend, and these must include certain details (e.g. the type of service, number of visits, provider name). For example, if you want to see a Physio and a Podiatrist using a GPCCMP, you will need one referral letter for each of those services.
• While the GP Chronic Condition Management Plan technically does not expire, the referral to the allied health practitioner is only valid for 18 months.
• To access GPCCMP services, patients registered with MyMedicare must do so through their registered general practice. If you’re not registered with MyMedicare, you can continue to access care through your usual GP clinic.

What Stays the Same?

Despite the change in structure, many things remain unchanged when using a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan:

• You’ll still need a referral from your GP to access Medicare-rebatable allied health appointments.
• The rebate you receive from GPCCMPs will stay the same as the rebate you would’ve received under an EPC, which is reviewed each year. See here for the most up to date information.
• You can continue to see us Move for Better Health using these plans
• You still get up to 5 sessions partially-rebated by Medicare per year to eligible allied health providers
• If you have a current EPC, you can continue using it until all sessions are used or the plan is due for review. These EPC plans will expire 2 years after creation.

What Do You Need to Do?

There’s no need to rush – but it’s helpful to be prepared.

1. Check your referral: If you already have a care plan and referral in place, you can continue using it until you use all of your allocated sessions or until it expires. Once your plan is due for review, your GP will move you to the new GPCCMP.
2. Register for MyMedicare: If you haven’t already, consider registering with MyMedicare so that your care remains coordinated through your usual GP. If you’re already registered, future GPCCMPs must be managed through your registered practice.
3. Ask your GP about your plan: At your next appointment, check when your plan was last reviewed and whether a new referral is needed.
4. Speak to our team: If you’re unsure how many sessions you have left or whether your referral is current, get in touch with us – we’re happy to check for you.

Supporting Your Care at Move for Better Health

We understand that changes to Medicare can sometimes be confusing, especially when managing a chronic condition. Our team is here to help you navigate the transition and ensure your treatment continues without interruption.

We’ll also continue working closely with your GP and other healthcare providers to keep your care coordinated, effective, and focused on helping you feel your best.

Want to Know More?

You can read more about the Medicare changes here and here or feel free to contact us if you have questions about how this affects your appointments. We’re always here to help.