Living with an ongoing health condition can involve care from several different health professionals. A GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, commonly shortened to GPCCMP, may help eligible patients access Medicare-subsidised allied health services.
At Connect Healthcare, eligible concession card holders attending with a valid GPCCMP referral have an out-of-pocket gap of $30 per consultation.
What is a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan?
A GP Chronic Condition Management Plan is prepared by your GP to support the coordinated management of a chronic or terminal medical condition.
The plan records your health needs, treatment goals and the services that may help you manage your condition. Where appropriate, your GP can refer you to eligible allied health practitioners for Medicare-subsidised consultations.
The GPCCMP replaced the previous Chronic Disease Management arrangements for new plans from 1 July 2025. You may therefore still hear older terms such as:
- Chronic Disease Management Plan or CDM Plan
- GP Management Plan
- Team Care Arrangement
- EPC referral
Who may be eligible?
You may be eligible for a GPCCMP if you have at least one medical condition that:
- has been present, or is likely to be present, for at least six months; or
- is terminal.
There is no fixed list of eligible conditions. Your GP will use their clinical judgement to determine whether you would benefit from a structured chronic condition management plan.
Conditions that may be managed under a GPCCMP include, but are not limited to:
- persistent back, neck or joint pain
- osteoarthritis
- diabetes
- cardiovascular disease
- high blood pressure
- asthma or other respiratory conditions
- neurological conditions
- cancer
- recovery following stroke
- other long-term health conditions.
Having a condition for six months does not automatically guarantee eligibility. Your GP must assess your circumstances and determine whether a GPCCMP is appropriate.
How many allied health consultations can I access?
Eligible patients can generally claim Medicare benefits for a combined maximum of five individual allied health services per calendar year.
These five services can be:
- provided by one allied health profession; or
- divided between different eligible allied health professions.
The five-service limit applies across all participating allied health providers and clinics. It is not five services with each practitioner.
Additional Medicare-supported services may be available in some circumstances, including for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Your GP can advise whether any additional services apply to you.
Which Connect Healthcare services are eligible?
Depending on your referral and clinical needs, eligible Medicare-subsidised services at Connect Healthcare may include:
- chiropractic
- physiotherapy
- exercise physiology
- podiatry
- dietetics
- diabetes education
- psychotherapy & counselling
Your referral must identify an eligible allied health profession, and the care provided must be relevant to the condition being managed under your plan.
How much does Medicare contribute?
From 1 July 2026, the Medicare benefit for an eligible individual allied health consultation under a GPCCMP is $63.40.
Connect Healthcare’s reduced concession gap
Connect Healthcare offers a reduced $30 out-of-pocket gap per consultation for eligible GPCCMP appointments for patients who hold a valid government concession card or are enrolled as a full-time student.
The $30 gap applies to eligible initial, standard and longer consultations provided under the referral.
You will be asked to pay the full consultation fee at the time of your appointment. We can then submit your Medicare claim electronically, with the Medicare benefit paid into your nominated bank account.
Patients who are not eligible for the reduced $30 gap will be charged the applicable consultation fee and can still receive the Medicare benefit where eligible. Please refer to our current service fees or contact our administration team for further information.
How do I get a GPCCMP referral?
Book an appointment with your usual GP to discuss:
- your ongoing condition;
- how it is affecting your health and daily activities;
- the care you are currently receiving; and
- whether allied health support would help you work towards your health goals.
Your GP will determine whether you are eligible, prepare the plan where appropriate and issue any required allied health referrals.
You do not need a GP referral to see most allied health practitioners privately. However, a valid referral and management plan are required to claim the relevant Medicare benefit.
How long does the referral remain valid?
Under the current arrangements, a GPCCMP allied health referral generally remains valid for 18 months from the date of the first service provided under that referral, unless the referring practitioner specifies a different period.
Your plan must also have been prepared or reviewed within the required timeframe, and you must still have eligible Medicare-subsidised services available.
A referral does not provide five new services every 18 months. The maximum number of services resets at the beginning of each calendar year, subject to your ongoing eligibility, current plan and referral.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Before attending, please ask your GP clinic to send us:
- your GPCCMP allied health referral;
- any relevant medical information; and
- your current management plan where available.
Your GP can send the referral directly to Connect Healthcare, or you can bring a copy to your appointment.
Please also bring:
- your Medicare card;
- your concession card, if claiming the reduced $30 gap; and
- any relevant scans, test results or specialist correspondence.
We recommend confirming before your appointment that you still have Medicare-subsidised allied health services available for the current calendar year.
Can I claim both Medicare and private health insurance?
You cannot claim both a Medicare benefit and a private health insurance benefit for the same consultation.
Our administration team can help explain the claiming process, but your private health insurer should confirm whether using Medicare or private health insurance will provide the better benefit in your circumstances.
Using your referral at Connect Healthcare
To use a GPCCMP referral at Connect Healthcare:
- Ask your GP to send your referral to us before your appointment, or bring a copy with you.
- Let our administration team know that you will be attending under a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
- Bring your Medicare and concession cards to your appointment.
- Confirm that you have Medicare-subsidised allied health services remaining for the calendar year.
- Attend the consultation and complete payment so that your Medicare claim can be processed.
For questions about appointments, fees or using your referral, contact Connect Healthcare on 08 8357 2348 or email info@connecthealthcare.com.au.
Medicare rules and benefit amounts can change. The information above is current from 1 July 2026 and is general information only. Your GP and Medicare can confirm your individual eligibility and available services.