If your GP has ever suggested an “EPC”, a “care plan” or a “chronic disease management plan”, you might have left the appointment with a referral in hand and plenty of questions. What is it? What does it cover? And what will you actually pay? Here’s everything you need to know about using an EPC plan for physiotherapy or podiatry at Head2Toe.
What is an EPC plan?
An EPC plan (short for Enhanced Primary Care, the scheme’s original name) is a Medicare program that gives people with chronic conditions access to up to 5 Medicare-subsidised allied health sessions each calendar year — including physiotherapy and podiatry.
The name has changed a few times over the years. You may also hear it called a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan or a GP Management Plan. Since 1 July 2025, its official name is the GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) — but almost everyone, GPs included, still says “EPC” or “care plan”. They all refer to the same thing: a plan your GP prepares that unlocks Medicare rebates for allied health treatment.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible if you have a medical condition that has been present — or is likely to be present — for at least six months. There’s no fixed list of qualifying conditions; your GP uses their clinical judgment. Conditions we commonly see under EPC plans include:
- Chronic low back, neck or joint pain
- Arthritis and osteoarthritis
- Diabetes (including diabetic foot care)
- Osteoporosis
- Chronic tendon problems and long-standing injuries
- Balance problems and falls risk
Your GP decides whether a plan is appropriate, which allied health services it covers, and how many of your 5 sessions go to each.
How it works: from your GP to your first appointment
It’s a simple process: talk to your GP, and if they agree a plan is right for you, they’ll prepare it and write a referral to your chosen allied health provider — you’re welcome to nominate Head2Toe. Then just book in at your nearest clinic and bring the referral to your first appointment (or ask your GP to fax or email it to us directly). We’ll take care of the rest, including reporting back to your GP as required under the plan.
Your 5 sessions across the calendar year
This is the part that catches most people out, so it’s worth understanding clearly.
- You get up to 5 sessions per calendar year — that’s 1 January to 31 December, not 12 months from your first visit.
- The 5 sessions are shared across all allied health services on your plan. You could use all 5 for physio, all 5 for podiatry, or split them — for example 3 physio and 2 podiatry.
- Unused sessions carry over — but with a catch. Sessions you don’t use stay claimable for up to 2 years, but any you use in the new year count towards that year’s allocation of 5. So if you carry 2 sessions into January and use them, you’ll have 3 left for the rest of that year — they’re not a bonus on top.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients are eligible for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.
- Each session must run for at least 20 minutes and be one-on-one.
That’s why it usually pays to use your sessions before 31 December: sessions used this year come out of this year’s allocation, leaving you a full fresh 5 from 1 January. Ask us and we’ll help you plan your appointments around it.
What does it cost? How claiming works at Head2Toe
An EPC plan doesn’t automatically mean free treatment — it means Medicare pays a set rebate towards each session. The rebate amount is set by Medicare and indexed from time to time, so ask our reception team (or check the MBS) for the current figure. Here’s exactly how it works at Head2Toe:
You pay our standard consultation fee at the end of your appointment, and our reception team lodges your Medicare claim electronically through Tyro Health on the spot — there are no forms to fill in and no trip to a Medicare office. The rebate is deposited straight into the bank account you have registered with Medicare, usually within 24–48 hours. Your out-of-pocket cost ends up being just the gap between our fee and the rebate. You can find our current fees on our prices & funding page.
EPC plan FAQs
Is treatment under an EPC plan free?
Not automatically. Medicare contributes a set rebate per session and you cover the gap between that and the consultation fee. At Head2Toe you pay the fee on the day and the rebate lands back in your account within 24–48 hours.
How many EPC physio or podiatry sessions can I get in a year?
Up to 5 per calendar year across all allied health services combined — not 5 per service. Your GP decides how they’re allocated on your plan.
What conditions qualify for an EPC plan?
Any condition that has been (or is likely to be) present for six months or more — there’s no set list. Common examples include arthritis, chronic back or neck pain, diabetes and osteoporosis. Your GP makes the call.
Do unused sessions carry over to next year?
Yes — unused sessions on your referral stay claimable for up to 2 years. But there’s a catch: they’re not extra sessions. Any carried-over sessions you use in the new year count towards that year’s allocation of 5. Use 2 leftover sessions in January and you’ll have 3 remaining for the rest of the year.
Can I get more than 5 subsidised sessions?
Medicare caps it at 5 per calendar year (10 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients). If you need more care, you can continue privately or use your private health extras cover for the additional visits — and a fresh 5 becomes available the following January.
Can I use my private health insurance as well?
Not for the same appointment — you can’t claim both Medicare and private health for a single session. Many patients use their 5 EPC sessions first, then switch to their extras cover.
Do I need a new referral every year?
Not necessarily — your referral doesn’t automatically expire on 31 December. However, your GP should review your plan regularly (under the current rules, a plan needs to have been prepared or reviewed within the last 18 months for you to keep accessing sessions), so it’s a good idea to check in with your GP each year. If you have an older EPC/GPMP referral from before July 2025, it remains usable during the transition period, which runs until 30 June 2027.
Do I choose where I go?
Yes — you can ask your GP to refer you to the provider of your choice, including Head2Toe. Referrals from other clinics can also be accepted here without needing to change any formwork.
Does an EPC plan cover both physio and podiatry at Head2Toe?
Yes. If your GP includes both on your plan, you can split your 5 sessions between our physiotherapists and podiatrists in whatever combination your plan allows.
Ready to use your EPC plan?
Head2Toe Physiotherapy & Podiatry accepts EPC referrals at all three of our clinics — Moonee Ponds, Brunswick and Kew. Once you have your referral from your GP, simply book online or call your nearest clinic, mention that you have an EPC plan, and bring the referral to your first visit. Our team will handle the Medicare claiming for you from day one.
Information in this article is current as at September 2026. Medicare items, rebate amounts and program rules change from time to time — check with your GP or Services Australia for the latest details.
42 Pascoe Vale Road, Moonee Ponds 3039