YES we do offer HICAPS at Day Chiropractic Centre
In Geelong, many people seek chiropractic care to address musculoskeletal pain, support injury recovery, and maintain overall wellness. For those with private health insurance, accessing chiropractic services can be more affordable. Here’s a breakdown of how private health cover and HICAPS work in relation to chiropractic care.
Private Health Insurance for Chiropractic
Private health insurance is split into two main types of cover: hospital cover and extras cover. Chiropractic services are generally covered under “extras” cover, which provides benefits for a range of services not usually covered by Medicare.
Extras Cover for Chiropractic
When selecting extras cover, it’s important to check if chiropractic services are included, as well as the specifics of coverage. Coverage for chiropractic in extras policies varies significantly between insurance providers and policies. Here’s what to consider:
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Annual Limits: Extras policies generally have an annual limit for chiropractic treatments. For instance, a policy might cover up to $500 per year for chiropractic care, while some high-level policies may offer more.
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Per-Session Limits: Some insurers also limit the amount claimable per session, such as reimbursing up to 50% per session. This means patients might pay a gap fee (the difference between the insurance reimbursement and the practitioner’s fee).
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Waiting Periods: Most extras policies include a waiting period (usually 2 to 6 months) before new members can claim for chiropractic services. This is essential to check if planning to access services soon after signing up for a policy.
What is HICAPS?
HICAPS (Health Industry Claims and Payments Service) is an electronic claims processing system that makes claiming health insurance benefits for services like chiropractic convenient and straightforward. The HICAPS system is available at Day Chiropractic Centre and allows out patients with private health insurance to claim directly for their treatment on the spot.
How HICAPS Works
Here’s a step-by-step outline of the HICAPS process:
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Swipe Your Health Fund Card: After your chiropractic session, you present your health fund membership card. Our receptionist swipes the card through the HICAPS machine.
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Instant Claim Processing: The HICAPS machine communicates with the insurance provider in real-time. Within a few seconds, it calculates the rebate amount the insurance will pay for your session.
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Gap Payment: If the cost of the session exceeds the insurance rebate, you only needs to pay the gap amount. This reduces the need for out-of-pocket payment and eliminates the hassle of submitting claims manually.
Benefits of HICAPS for Chiropractic Patients
HICAPS offers several advantages:
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Convenience: Patients don’t need to pay the full amount upfront or submit a claim form. The process is quick and takes place at the clinic.
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Immediate Reimbursement: Insurance benefits are processed in real-time, meaning patients immediately receive their benefit without waiting days or weeks.
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Simplified Claiming Process: HICAPS eliminates paperwork, reducing the burden on patients.
Medicare and Chiropractic in Australia
It’s important to note that Medicare does not usually cover chiropractic care. However, some patients may be eligible for a limited number of subsidised sessions under the Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan in conjunction with their GP. This plan is separate from private health insurance and typically offers up to five sessions per year, primarily intended for patients with long-term health needs.
Summary
For chiropractic care in Geelong, private health insurance with extras cover can be highly beneficial. Patients should carefully evaluate policies based on coverage for chiropractic, annual and per-session limits, and waiting periods. HICAPS adds further convenience, enabling instant claims and saving patients both time and effort.