Does Medicare Cover Exercise Physiology? What You Need to Know

Exercise physiology is one of those services that a lot of people don't know they might already have access to through Medicare. If you or someone you know has been putting off getting help with a chronic health condition, injury, or disability because of the cost — this is worth reading.

The short answer

Yes, Medicare does cover exercise physiology, but only under specific circumstances. The key is something called a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, also known as a GP Management Plan.

How it works

If you have a chronic health condition — things like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, arthritis, mental health conditions, or a musculoskeletal injury — your GP can refer you to an Accredited Exercise Physiologist as part of your care plan. Under this plan, Medicare subsidises up to five allied health sessions per calendar year.

At Core Health Group, the gap payment after the Medicare rebate is $58 for an initial appointment and $38 for a follow-up.

Who qualifies?

Your GP determines eligibility, but generally speaking if you have a condition that has been present for six months or longer and benefits from a team approach to management, you're likely eligible. It's worth having a conversation with your GP and specifically asking about a Chronic Disease Management Plan or a referral for allied health services.

What happens at your appointment?

Your first session with one of our Exercise Physiologists runs for 60–75 minutes. We'll go through your health history, assess your current strength and movement, and design a program specifically for you. It's not generic — it's built around what your body needs and what your goals are.

Want to know if you're eligible?

Give us a call or send us a message and we can talk you through the process. If you already have a care plan in place, booking is straightforward.