Coronary heart disease is considered a chronic medical condition. This means that the condition has been (or is likely to be) present for at least six months. If you have a chronic disease, it’s important to get the help you need to treat and manage it. Your GP can arrange a care plan to coordinate treatment and services from different healthcare professionals and to help cover some of the costs.
In this video, GP Dr Melinda Sullivan-Bunt explains chronic disease management plans and how they can help you to manage your care and live well with heart disease.
If you have a chronic condition, you may be eligible for a chronic disease management plan. These plans includes two types:
Your GP can prepare a GPMP for you to identify your health and care needs, outline the services to be provided by your GP, and list the actions you can take to help manage your condition.
If you need to see other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, dietitians), your GP can also organise a TCA to help coordinate your care more effectively.
If your GP has determined that you need both a GPMP and TCA, you may be entitled to Medicare rebates for certain allied health services. If a provider accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment for the service, there will be no out-of-pocket cost. If not, you will have to pay the difference between the fee charged and the Medicare rebate.
Your GP will give you a copy of your plan and will arrange follow-up appointments and referrals as needed.
If it is difficult for you to see a healthcare professional in person, telehealth options are available under chronic disease management plans.
Last updated28 May 2024