If you have searched “exercise physiologist near me bulk bill” lately, you are not alone, and you are probably confused. The rules behind what Medicare covers for Exercise Physiology changed on 1 July 2025, when the familiar GP care plan paperwork was replaced by a new system. The good news: eligible Australians still get rebated Exercise Physiology sessions each year, and for some people the referral process is now simpler.
Here’s what eligible Australians need to know about Medicare-funded Exercise Physiology sessions and how to access them through their GP.
What Is a CDM Plan and What Changed in July 2025?
Chronic Disease Management (CDM) is the Medicare programme that funds allied health visits for people with long-term conditions. From 1 July 2025:
- The old two-document system (a GP Management Plan plus Team Care Arrangements) was replaced by a single GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, or GPCCMP
- Your GP no longer needs to consult two other providers to set the plan up, which used to slow referrals down
- Referrals are now simple letters rather than structured forms, and they no longer have to name a specific provider, so you can choose which Accredited Exercise Physiologist you see
- A GPCCMP does not expire, but it must have been prepared or reviewed within the last 18 months for you to keep claiming allied health rebates
- If you are registered with MyMedicare, your plan and reviews must come from your registered practice
Full details are on the official MBS Online changes page at mbsonline.gov.au (Department of Health, updated 2025).
Who Qualifies for Medicare Exercise Physiology Rebates?
There is no fixed list of eligible conditions. Your GP uses clinical judgement, and the benchmark is a medical condition that has been present, or is likely to be present, for six months or more (or is terminal). Conditions we commonly see referred to iRehab include:
- Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes with complications
- Cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure
- Musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and chronic back pain
- Mental health conditions including depression and anxiety
- Obesity, COPD and chronic fatigue
If your condition affects your daily life and has stuck around for six months, it is worth asking the question.
What You Actually Get: Sessions and Rebates in 2026
- Up to 5 individual allied health sessions per calendar year (10 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients)
- The 5 sessions are shared across all allied health under your plan, so two physio visits and three Exercise Physiology visits uses the full allocation
- Individual Exercise Physiology is claimed under MBS item 10953, with a rebate of $63.40 per session following the 1 July 2026 indexation (it was $61.80 in 2025-26); check the current figure any time on the MBS item 10953 page
- One detail many people get wrong: the allowance resets each calendar year on 1 January, not on 1 July with the new financial year
- Telehealth Exercise Physiology sessions can also be claimed under equivalent video items
Have Type 2 Diabetes? There Is an Extra 8 Group Sessions
On top of the 5 individual visits, people with type 2 diabetes can be assessed under MBS item 81110 and, if suitable, access up to 8 group Exercise Physiology sessions per calendar year under item 81115. These structured small-group programmes are one of Medicare’s most underused benefits, and our diabetes Exercise Physiology team runs them regularly. We cover this pathway in detail in our companion article on the 8 Medicare-funded group Exercise Physiology sessions.
How to Get a Referral: Step by Step
- Book a standard (ideally longer) GP appointment and mention you want to discuss a care plan for your chronic condition
- Ask directly: “Am I eligible for a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan with a referral to an Accredited Exercise Physiologist?”
- Your GP prepares the GPCCMP (or reviews your existing plan) and writes a referral letter for Exercise Physiology
- Choose your provider, book, and bring or forward the referral letter
- After your first session, your Exercise Physiologist reports back to your GP, and regular plan reviews (available every 3 months) keep your access active
Bulk Billing vs Gap Fees: Why Most Clinics Charge a Small Gap
Medicare pays the rebate, but clinics set their own fees, and there is no requirement to bulk bill. Because Exercise Physiology consultations typically run 45 to 60 minutes and include program design and GP reporting, most clinics charge a gap, which is simply the difference between the clinic fee and the $63.40 rebate. Always ask about fees when booking. At iRehab, bulk billing is available in certain circumstances, so speak with our team about your situation before your first visit.
Other Ways to Fund Exercise Physiology
Medicare is only one pathway. Depending on your circumstances, sessions may instead be funded through:
- NDIS Exercise Physiology for participants with capacity-building supports
- DVA, for veterans with a Gold or eligible White card and a GP referral
- Workers compensation or CTP for work and motor vehicle injuries
- Private health insurance extras, noting you cannot claim Medicare and private health for the same session
- Aged care Exercise Physiology home visits and telehealth sessions if getting to a clinic is difficult
Already Have an Old GPMP or TCA?
You do not need to panic or rebook your GP this week:
- Plans and referrals made before 1 July 2025 remain valid, and you can keep using them until 30 June 2027
- If your old plan comes up for review after 1 July 2025, your GP will simply transition you to a GPCCMP at that appointment
- From 1 July 2027, a GPCCMP is required for any Medicare-funded allied health services
Ready to Use Your Sessions?
The team at iRehab has been helping Sydney locals navigate Medicare referrals since 2020, with in-clinic appointments at North Rocks and home visits across the city. Call (02) 9613 3751 or send through your referral, and we will handle the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Exercise Physiology sessions does Medicare cover?
Up to 5 individual allied health sessions per calendar year under a GPCCMP, shared across all allied health providers. People with type 2 diabetes can access up to 8 additional group sessions.
Do my Medicare allied health sessions reset on 1 July?
No. The 5-session allowance resets on 1 January each calendar year. Your plan itself does not expire, but it must be reviewed within 18 months to keep claiming.
Is my old GP Management Plan still valid in 2026?
Yes. GPMPs and TCAs prepared before 1 July 2025 remain usable until 30 June 2027. After that date, you will need a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan to access rebated services.
