Funding

Medicare does not generally fund speech pathology, however there are some funding options available for people who meet various criteria.

• Chronic Disease Management CDM (previously known as: Enhanced Primary Care or EPC) – 5 sessions partially subsidised – see Medicare website for further information

Federal Government Initiatives:

• HCWA (Helping Children with Autism) for children who are eligible for financial assistance under the HCWA program. For further information, visit: Helping Children with Autism information from the Department of Health
• BS (Better Start) for children who are eligible for financial assistance under the BS program. For further information, visit: Better Start information from the Department of Health

Private Speech Pathology sessions may be subsidised through

• Private health insurance – extras – check directly with your health insurance company as each company and policy determine their own benefits. Ask them for the amount of benefits paid for:
• Item number: 320 (for an initial individual assessment session) and/or
• Item number 340 (for subsequent individual therapy sessions)

Also note: Private health insurance companies often have ceilings for each therapy type (eg. speech therapy), so you may wish to ask about this too.