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Hi there, I'm new, so bear with me. Anyone know anything about Australia being the highest prescribers of orthotics in the world and that Australian health funds are the only ones to rebate on orthoses? This information was given to me from a patient and I'm interested in finding out if this is true. I find it hard to believe.

 

Someone is making the information up.

 

Well that did cross my mind! Thanks.

 

Hello I am a UK podiatrist who has just moved to OZ. I have been here for 2 months. At present my experience for what its worth is that in private practice the majority of work (80% ish) is biomechanics. Clients can claim back a fee on orthoses but generally not the full amount, so they pay the difference (its called a gap payment). All health care covers are different dependant on the level. Some health care cover such as DVA (department of vettrans affairs....retired military) will cover the cost of orthosis. There are generally rules such as up to an amount or so many a year, also work cover and pension card holders.

To get your head around it you have to experience the ozzy health care culture which is vastly different to the NHS or private practice in the UK. Given what i've seen in my short space of time I would say that statement is probably true.

gadday mate!:morning:

 

Hi pommypod,

it's certainly fair to say that there is a lot more biomechanics in private practice than in the public system however ~80% ish i think may be a slight exaggeration. There are also quite a few clinics kicking around that deal mainly in routine care with the odd biomechanical case. Whilst i peersonally find biomechanics a lot more interesting, its not every practisioer's cup of tea!

 

Thanks for the input, Just to clarify I'm not new to podiatry but new to actively being involved in podiatry arena. I've been running a private practice in Melbourne for 13 years and worked in public health for 8 years before that so am aware of what goes on here. My practice doesn't see 80% biomechanics but is a healthy mixture of general, kids and biomech stuff. I was more interested in hearing whether other countries give rebates on orthotics or not and whether anyone had seen any research/figures on what was claimed "that Australians are the highest prescribers". I presumed other countries health funds rebated similar to ours or better given some of the rebates people get can be pretty crap!

 

Aa cynical illegitimate child i believe that many people pay into health funds and then try and get as much back as is possible via AHP's opticians x rays etc etc.

You pay the money in and you want what you have paid for.

Also as a cynic i believe some believe that you can treat Syphillis with orthotics.:wacko:

So increasingly the insurance ceases to be that but is just a different way to pay for health care.

Why not cut out the middle man and pay money into an investment bank account and pay for your healthcare as you go along.

Trouble is is if you get something not nice having the Ins fund pay for the care is desirable.

regards david

 

It also becomes a case of the level of awareness in the community of the fact that the option exists at all. If you don't know you could be assessed biomechanically and that your discomfort could be decreased by some form of orthosis then you are unlikely to seek out the service. And if your practice actively advertises biomech expertise you are more likely to attract that type of patient. So in the end the figures at a particular practice can be influenced by all sorts of things. And yes in some places the boss has a need for a new 9 series BMW and that can cause all sorts of problems.
regards Phill