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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS AN OSTEOPATH?
In Australia, an osteopath is a government registered allied health practitioner who has completed a minimum of five years of university study. They have undertaken training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general healthcare diagnosis, and osteopathic techniques.
Osteopaths are trained to provide:
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musculoskeletal Injury assessment and diagnosis
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manual therapy; which includes a range of hands-on treatment techniques that may give relief from musculoskeletal pain, discomfort and may help tissues in the body
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clinical exercise programs
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advice about your lifestyle, stress management, diet or other factors that may influence your pain, injury or movement
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movement, postural, positioning advice and ergonomic assessments.
Here at Forward Osteo we treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries with a strong focus on long term goals and patient education. We do this through a combination of manual therapy techniques, detailed patient education, and home-based rehabilitation programs.
DO I NEED A REFERRAL TO SEE AN OSTEOPATH?
No, being primary healthcare providers there is no referral required to see an osteopath. However, to access Medicare (Chronic Disease Management) and Department of Veterans’ Affairs rebates you must be referred by a GP or other doctor. Osteopaths also provide services to Workcover, motor accident insurance schemes (such as TAC Victoria), and the NDIS (self-managed clients in some areas), which require the relevant paperwork and referrals.
CAN I CLAIM USING MY PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE?
Yes, depending on your private health insurance and your specific extras cover you can usually claim directly at the clinic using our HICAPs machine. This will pay a portion of your consultation fee instantly and you will simply need to pay the gap using EFTPOS or cash.
IS MY OSTEO APPOINTMENT COVERED BY MEDICARE?
Typically osteo appointments can not be claimed using your Medicare card. One exception to this would be if you have a pre-approved Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan from your doctor. This will entitle you to a maximum of five partially rebated osteopathic consultations per year. You will still be required to pay for your treatment in full at the clinic; however, we can process the Medicare rebate on the spot which will be deposited back into your allocated savings account.
HOW LONG WILL MY APPOINTMENT TAKE?
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Initial appointments at Forward Osteo are scheduled for 60 minutes.
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Subsequent appointments at Forward Osteo will take 30 minutes.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
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Initial appointments at Forward Osteo are priced at $140.
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Subsequent appointments are priced at $100.
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
Forward Osteo is located at Shop 10/129 Pakington Street, Geelong West. The clinic is positioned at the rear of the Pakington Street Arcade, opposite 63 Degrees cafe. You can access the clinic from Pakington street or via the rear car park accessible by Clarence Street.
WHERE CAN I PARK?
There is plenty of off-street parking located at the rear of the clinic, easily accessible by Clarence Street.
what is an osteopath?
referral to see an osteopath?
private healt insurance?
Medicare
How long will my appointmnt take?
Cost
where are you located
Parking
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