Indigenous Health (Allied Health)

Mainstream primary care provides a first point of call for health services in Australia. However, cultural barriers can limit usage of these services by Indigenous Australians. This program aims to ensure that mainstream primary care services (including but not limited to general practice, allied health, specialists) are able to provide culturally sensitive care for Indigenous Australians.

As part of the CTG program, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to self Identify and seek regular health checks to assist with the early detection of potential chronic disease.

As a direct result of having an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health check, patients become eligible to receive Allied Health Services (81300-81360).

Components of follow-up items

A maximum of five (5) allied health services are available per patient each calendar year.
This is in addition to allied health services available to eligible patients with chronic disease under MBS items 10950-10970. The five services can be provided by one eligible allied health professional (e.g. five physiotherapy services) or a combination of allied health professionals (e.g. one dietetic, two podiatry and two physiotherapy services). Services must be of at least 20 minutes duration and must be provided individually to the patient, in person, by the eligible health professional. A written report must be provided to the referring GP after the first and last service, or more often if required.

Referral arrangements

To access follow-up allied health services, patients must be referred by their GP to the relevant eligible allied health professional(s) using a Referral form for follow-up allied health services under Medicare for people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. The GP is responsible for identifying which allied health services are appropriate for the patient.

Care Coordination & Supplementary Services (CCSS) Program

The Capricornia Division of General Practice, with the support of Central Queensland Rural Division of General Practice has recently secured funding for a Care Coordination and Supplementary Services program.

Program Background:

The Australian Government’s Indigenous Chronic Disease Package supports Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander people with chronic disease to better access specialists, GP and Allied Health Services.

Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander people who are identified as needing more complex chronic disease management or support to access services can be referred to the Care Coordination and Supplementary Services Program (CCSS).

There are specific Provider and Patient eligibility criteria’s for the program.

As this program is still in an infancy stage of roll out, further information will be disseminated to Providers and consumers shortly as the program commences.

For more information on these activities please contact the Closing the Gap Coordinator.