About the Program

The Healthy Directions PLUS program has been developed to support and enhance the Medicare-funded GP Management Plans (GPMP) and Team Care Arrangements (TCA) for patients with a chronic condition.  Currently patients with a GPMP and a TCA receive access to Medicare rebates for five allied health sessions per year.

Under the Healthy Directions PLUS program, HBF will fund up to ten additional allied health services with no out-of-pocket cost to the member, giving access to a more comprehensive treatment.  Perth Central and East Metro Medicare Local’s Healthy Directions team will liaise between the member’s GP and allied health professionals. 

HBF will be funding Perth Central and East Metro Medicare Local to act a case manager for HBF members. 

Referral

The Healthy Directions PLUS program is for adults (18 years and over) with the following chronic conditions:

• Asthma – moderate to severe.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
• Congestive Heart Failure.
• Coronary Artery Disease/Heart Attack.
• Diabetes – Type 1 and 2.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Osteoporosis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.

Healthy Directions PLUS Referral Form

Who is Eligible? 

To be eligible for the program participants will need to be a HBF member with current hospital cover, having been covered for at least one year, and seeing a GP within Perth Central and East Metro Medicare Local’s catchment area. 

Team Care Arrangements (TCAs) will be strongly encouraged.  Final eligibility will be decided by Perth Central and East Metro Medicare Local.

Assessment and Treatment Plan

Once the referral is received, the Healthy Directions team will contact the patient to schedule an appointment to assess / discuss their health needs.  Treatment plans will be development by the Healthy Directions team in collaboration with the patient’s GP and the patient, for the management of their chronic condition. Patients will need to attend their Healthy Directions PLUS assessment session to access the HBF funded allied health appointments. 

Allied Health Providers participating in the Healthy Directions PLUS program:

• Audiologist
• Chiropractor
• Diabetes Educator
• Dietitian
• Exercise Physiologist
• Mental Health Worker
• Occupational Therapist
• Osteopath
• Physiotherapist
• Podiatrist
• Speech Pathologist

As part of the Healthy Directions PLUS program, patients will be offered group sessions by Perth Central and East Metro Medicare Local’s Healthy Directions team on the following topics:

• Nutrition and healthy eating.
• Exercise.
• Medication compliance.
• Support techniques, e.g. stress management. 

Review

When the patients have completed their HBF funded allied health appointments, they will receive a final Healthy Directions PLUS appointment to review their progress.

The Healthy Directions PLUS program will help those with a chronic condition, registered on the program, better manage their condition through additional allied health appointments and increased coping skills. 

Reporting and Evaluation

GPs will receive feedback following assessment, completion of allied health services and following the final review.  Curtin University will conduct a mail based patient satisfaction questionnaire and a phone-based GP satisfaction survey.

For further information please contact the Healthy Directions PLUS team on phone 9376 9200 or reception@pcemml.org.au