Government Assistance
GP Management Plan
If you have lived with chronic pain for at least six months you may be eligible for a rebate through Medicare for allied health services to help manage your condition. This will happen once your GP prepares a GP Management Plan, a Team Care Arrangement or Multidisciplinary Care. To find out more visit the GP Management Plan page on the Department of Human Services website.
Education guide—Chronic disease GP Management Plans and Team Care Arrangements—Services Australia.
GP Mental Health Treatment Plan
If you are experiencing mental health issues associated with chronic pain, you may be eligible for a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan. Medicare rebates are available for up to 10 individual and 10 group allied mental health services per calendar year to patients with an assessed mental health issue who are referred by a GP. Please talk to your GP about this. You can also find out more by reading the Government’s Better Access to Mental Health Care fact sheet.
Team Care Arrangement
If you have a chronic medical condition and complex care needs requiring multidisciplinary care, your GP can develop Team Care Arrangements (TCAs). These will help coordinate the care you need. TCAs require your GP to collaborate with at least two other health or care providers who will give ongoing treatment or services to you. Find out more here.
Disability Support Pension
If you no longer work due to the disabling impact of chronic pain, you may be eligible for the Disability Support Pension. You must have had the condition for at least two years and you must complete a detailed claim form and provide sufficient medical information to support your claim. For more information and advice, please download The Disability Support Pension and Chronic Pain.
Other Support
If you have a chronic condition you may be eligible for other government assistance, such as concession cards, the Medicare Safety Net and PBS Safety Net. Find out more about the Australian Government's chronic medical condition assistance here.