Chronic condition care plans in South Morang
Yes. A GP at Lakes Boulevard Medical can sit down with you and put together a chronic condition management plan for a long-term health problem such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease or arthritis, then update it over time. Bulk billed for Medicare-eligible patients. A plan can also give you Medicare rebates for some allied health visits, and several allied health providers work from our building.
What is a chronic condition management plan?
A care plan sets out, in writing, how you and your GP will look after a condition that isn't going away soon. It records what you want to achieve, the care that will help, and the other health professionals who will be part of it. With everyone working from one plan, it's easier to keep your care on track.
Since 1 July 2025, the GP chronic condition management plan has replaced the old GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement. If you have one of the older plans from before that date, it still works for allied health visits until 30 June 2027.
Who can have a care plan?
A plan is for a chronic condition, meaning one you've had, or are expected to have, for at least 6 months. There's no Medicare list of approved conditions, so your GP will talk it through with you and decide together whether a plan makes sense. Common reasons include:
- Diabetes, type 1 or type 2
- Asthma, COPD and other breathing conditions
- Heart conditions and high blood pressure
- Arthritis, ongoing back pain and other muscle or joint conditions
- Kidney disease and other long-term health problems
A plan can't be made while you're a hospital inpatient. If you've registered with a practice through MyMedicare, that practice needs to prepare and review your plan.
What goes into a care plan?
- Goals for your health that you and your GP set together
- The treatment and support you'll have, and who provides each part
- Referrals to allied health professionals, where they'd help
- A time to come back so your GP can check how it's working
You take a copy home, and the plan is kept on your record at the clinic so any of our GPs can pick it up with you. Whether a practice nurse is involved in care plans here: [To be confirmed: whether a practice nurse helps with care plans at Lakes Boulevard].
Which allied health visits does Medicare cover?
When your GP refers you under your plan, Medicare pays a rebate for up to 5 individual allied health visits each calendar year. You can spend them all with one provider or spread them across a few. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients can claim up to 10, and some people with type 2 diabetes can also claim group sessions.
Your GP might refer you to:
- A physiotherapist or an exercise physiologist
- A diabetes educator or a dietitian
- A podiatrist
- A psychologist, an occupational therapist or another allied health professional
At our building you'll find physiotherapists from Inspire Physio and diabetes educator Satinder Kaur from SimplyDiabetes4U, along with an audiologist and a cardiologist. They run their own practices, so you book with them and ask them about their fees and any gap. Allied health at Lakes Boulevard.
How do I get a care plan?
- Book. Book online or ring reception, and let us know the appointment is for a care plan so enough time is set aside.
- See your GP. You and your GP talk about your condition, the medicines you take and what you'd like to improve.
- Tests if needed. If you need blood tests, Dorevitch Pathology collects on site with no appointment, Mon to Fri 8:00am to 3:00pm, Sat 8:30am to 12:00pm.
- Your plan and referrals. You go home with a copy of your plan and any allied health referrals.
- Reviews. You return so your GP can see how you're going and adjust the plan.
We're Open 7 days, evenings until 10pm Monday to Thursday, so a care plan appointment can fit around work. How long to allow: [To be confirmed: care plan appointment length at Lakes Boulevard].
What should I bring?
- Your Medicare card
- Your medicines or a list of them, including vitamins and anything bought over the counter
- Recent test results and letters from other doctors involved in your care
- Names of any allied health professionals you already see
- One or two things you'd like to be able to do, such as gardening or climbing stairs more easily
How often is a care plan reviewed?
If needed, your GP can review your plan every 3 months, although many people don't need it that often. Allied health rebates continue as long as the plan was prepared or reviewed in the past 18 months. If your health or goals change, book a review earlier.
Are care plans bulk billed?
Bulk billed for Medicare-eligible patients. Some procedures have an out-of-pocket fee. Without a valid Medicare card, the full fee applies.
The allied health providers you see under the plan charge their own fees, and Dorevitch Pathology charges its own fee for any test Medicare doesn't cover.
GPs for ongoing conditions
Any of our GPs can prepare a care plan, and it often works well with the GP who already knows your history. GPs with an interest in chronic conditions: [To be confirmed: which GPs have an interest in chronic condition care]. See all our doctors or find a service.
Care plan questions
Yes. Book with one of our GPs and mention it's for a care plan. Your GP writes the plan with you and arranges any allied health referrals you need.
Bulk billed for Medicare-eligible patients. Some procedures have an out-of-pocket fee. Without a valid Medicare card, the full fee applies. Allied health providers charge their own fees.
No. Medicare has no set list. The condition needs to have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 6 months, and you and your GP decide together whether a plan is right for you.
With a referral under your plan, up to 5 individual visits a calendar year, or up to 10 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Providers set their own fees, so there may be a gap.
As often as every 3 months if you need it. For allied health rebates to keep applying, the plan must have been made or reviewed within the past 18 months.
A plan made before 1 July 2025 can be used for allied health visits until 30 June 2027. Your GP can help you switch to the new plan when it suits.
Under Medicare's rules, if you're registered through MyMedicare, your plan and reviews are done by the practice you're registered with. Ring reception on (03) 9436 0966 to talk about what that means for you.
Yes. Diabetes educator Satinder Kaur (SimplyDiabetes4U) and physiotherapists from Inspire Physio work from the clinic. They run their own practices, so book and ask about fees with them directly. Details are on our allied health page.
Usually, yes. Dorevitch Pathology collects on site and you don't need an appointment: Mon to Fri 8:00am to 3:00pm, Sat 8:30am to 12:00pm.