IS A MEDICARE REBATE AVAILABLE?

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Medical Rebates are eligible for some clients living with a chronic medical condition or Eating Disorder and wishing to see a dietitian.  Clients need to be referred from their GP for services recommended in their Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Plan or Eatind Disorder Care (EDP) Plan with multidisciplinary Team Care Arrangements. 

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• An EPC Medicare rebate is $58.30 per appointment with a maximum of 5 dietitian visits per calendar year.

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• An EDP Medicare rebate is $58.30 per appointment with a maximum of 20 dietitian visits per calendar year.

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Five Forks Wellness can accept Medicare clients/EPC/ED Plans, however there is a gap fee to allow for extended sessions, high quality care and detailed reports.

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DO I NEED A REFERAL?

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No, you do not need to have a GP referral.

You can self-refer.  If you are seeking a Medicare rebate, it is best to go via your GP to gain a care plan.

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WILL MY HEALTH INSURANCE COVER DIETITIAN SERVICES?

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Many Private Health Insurance companies allow claims for dietitian visits.  Check with your health insurance to see what you can claim.

Five Forks Wellness accepts private health funds

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WHAT IS THE NON-DIET APPROACH?

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The Health At Every Size model (HAES®) and the Non-Diet approach take the focus off body weight and rather onto health behaviours and wellness.  This approach follows evidenced-based practice. 

We can nourish bodies through:

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• being weight inclusive (sadly the 'ideal' body shape is determined by our culture not our natural bodies and genetics);

• health promoting habits for physical, social, and mental health by acknowledging the social determinants of health;

• eating for well-being (not for weight control) based on your nutritional needs and pleasures;

• being respectful to ourselves and others, recognising our own biases and internalised weight stigma;

• learning to move joyfully, through physical activity that suits our abilities and interests.

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WHAT HAPPENS AT MY FIRST APPOINTMENT?

Many people are curious or anxious about how to prepare or what to expect from their first visit.  Your first appointment involves what is formally called a nutrition assessment, by this it means we take the time to gather all the information about you and your health history to help create nutrition recommendations at the end of the first visit.  Questions like: 

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• What happens in your day to day routine of life (work, home, sleeping patterns)

• Do you or someone else do the cooking and shopping

• What is your biggest concern at the moment which has led you to coming to an appointment

• Reviewing recent blood tests, or results

• Talking about your medical history and family medical history.

• Any medications or supplements you take

• Discussing your appetite and bowel motions, energy and stress levels.

• Any recent, unexpected increase or decrease in weight or in your past

• Learning what your usual eating patterns are (as well as weekends)

• What your lifestyle is like (exercise and activity habits)

 

Then we can work together to personalise your nutrition goals.   We can discuss WHY changing health behaviours are important and improve your knowledge surrounding your health concerns.  There may be nutrition gaps in your current way of eating or lifestyle pattern that be discussed.  All will be covered out of curiosity and understanding, without judgement.  

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A lot of ground is covered in the first visit to start a foundation of understanding, but that is why a follow-up visit is so important. To confirm your understanding, discuss any barriers to change, and to be flexible and adapt recommendations to suit YOU.