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- Medical and surgical
- Chronic disease management
Chronic disease management
Living with a chronic disease can affect many aspects of your life. We work closely with you, your loved ones and your general practitioner (GP) to help you manage your condition.
While chronic diseases progress in different ways, they often develop over a long time and are resistant to treatment. A long term management plan is often necessary.
Chronic disease management services
A Chronic Disease Management Plan provides support from a range of medical and allied health services, including:
- physician consultation
- diabetes education
- nutrition advice from a qualified dietitian
- support, counselling and information about community resources from a social worker
- a personalised exercise program developed by a physiotherapist
- an occupational therapist, who can assist you maintain your independence in daily activities.
If you have a chronic medical condition, you may be eligible for Medicare benefits if your doctor prepares the following plans for you.
GP Management Plan
A GP Management Plan can help if you have a chronic or terminal medical condition by providing a clear approach to your care. It is a plan of action agreed between you and your GP. It identifies your healthcare needs, sets out the services to be provided by your GP and others and lists the actions you need to take.
Team Care Arrangements Plan
If you need treatment from two or more health professionals, your doctor may also put a Team Care Arrangements Plan in place for you. This lets your doctor work with, and refer you to, at least two other health professionals who will provide your treatment or services.
Benefits of a Chronic Disease Management Plan
A Chronic Disease Management Plan has a number of benefits. It can:
- improve your exercise tolerance
- improve your activity levels and function
- give you the skills and education you need to take care of your own health
- allow you to enjoy better quality of life.
These benefits depend on your particular circumstances and require you to fully participate in necessary before and after care and management. You should consult a specialist in this area before deciding whether treatment is suitable for you.
Costs and fee payment options
If you have private health insurance, the costs for your hospital stay and specialist fees may be covered by your health fund, based on your level of cover.
If you don’t have private health insurance, you can access treatment at a St John of God Health Care hospital through our self-funded care option.
When you use your private health insurance, you get benefits that include access to St John of God Health Care private hospital facilities, your choice of specialist, minimal wait times, and with an eligible policy most of your hospital costs can be covered by your private health insurance fund.
You should contact your health insurer to understand your level of cover, and whether your policy is subject to additional fees such as a hospital excess or other ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses. Your health insurer will also be able to assist in understanding if you will have doctor, radiology and pathology out-of-pocket costs.
Patients who don’t have private health insurance can choose to access St John of God Health Care private hospital services and treatments by paying fees themselves.
By accessing our self-funded care option, you’ll be able to avoid wait times and have your surgery or treatment with your choice of specialist at a St John of God Health Care private hospital.
- Learn more and enquire about the self-funded care option.
- Call 1300 940 199 to get a quote for self-funded treatment.
If you have received an invoice for an expense associated with treatment from a St John of God Health Care service you can pay your bill online.
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