FAQ’S

<p class="rteBlock">In most cases, a referral is not required to access our allied health services at our Centres. However, some funding schemes (such as Medicare or DVA) may require a referral from a Doctor. Please contact our friendly team for more information.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">To make an appointment, simply visit our <span style="text-decoration:underline"><a value="allied-health#Centres" label="Centres" type="anchor" href="/allied-health#Centres" data-runtime-url="/allied-health#Centres">allied health centre page</a></span> and select your nearest location. Alternatively, you can contact us to discuss your needs and we can help to arrange a convenient time for your appointment.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">Yes, Medicare provides rebates for a range of Allied Health services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, and psychology. To be eligible for Medicare rebates, you will need a referral from a GP, specialist or consultant physician.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">The amount of rebate you receive from Medicare will depend on the type of service you receive and your eligibility. You can learn more about <span style="text-decoration:underline"><a type="url" href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/about-medicare?context=60092" target="_blank" data-runtime-url="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/about-medicare?context=60092">Medicare rebates</a></span> here. </p>

<p class="rteBlock">The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a government-funded program that provides support and services to Australians with a disability. The scheme aims to help people with a disability achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">Yes, Intrinsic is a proudly registered provider under the NDIS. The NDIS provides funding for a range of Allied Health services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, and more. To access NDIS funding, you will need to have a NDIS plan in place.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">To apply for NDIS funding, you will need to meet the eligibility criteria and complete an application form. Please visit the <span style="text-decoration:underline"><a value="https://www.ndis.gov.au/" label="" type="url" href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/" target="_blank" data-runtime-url="https://www.ndis.gov.au/">NDIS website</a></span> for more information.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">The Department of Veterans&#x27; Affairs (DVA) is a government agency that provides support and services to Australian veterans and their families.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">Yes, DVA provides funding for a range of Allied Health services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, and more. To access DVA funding, you will need to be a veteran or a dependent of a veteran and have a DVA health card.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">To apply for DVA funding, you will need to be eligible and have a DVA health card. Please visit the <span style="text-decoration:underline"><a type="url" target="_blank" href="https://www.dva.gov.au/" data-runtime-url="https://www.dva.gov.au/">DVA website</a></span> for more information. </p>

<p class="rteBlock">An FCA, or Functional Capacity Assessment, is  a comprehensive assessment of a person’s care needs and current level of function. Our occupational therapists complete a detailed report as part of this assessment, to identify the client’s support and therapy needs, barriers to completing everyday tasks, recommendations for assistive technology, ongoing therapy, modification of the environment, and strategies such as task modification, to promote task participation and goal attainment.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">For NDIS participants an FCA can be used to make clear recommendations for assistance with daily life including Supported Living (Core Supports), Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (Capital Supports), Improved Daily Living Skills and Support Co-ordination (Capacity Building Supports). Some NDIS Plans include a requirement for an FCA to be undertaken. For other participants their current level of support may no longer be meeting their disability-related needs and an FGCA can be used to demonstrate these changed needs.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">A Service Access Assessment is a shorter form of an FCA, generally funded privately and submitted as part of a person’s application for NDIS funding.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">FCAs are performed by an Occupational Therapist or other physical medicine or rehabilitation specialist.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">Yes. The FCA will be charged separately to other specialist occupational therapy services such as a home modification assessment, plan, and report, but can be organised on the same Schedule of Supports.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">No. Although an FCA adopts a common general approach to assessment, each FCA is customised to the client and their individual situation.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">Our occupational therapists use a range of formal and informal assessments along with observation and information collected during interviews, to develop a comprehensive understanding of the person being assessed. This usually involves two separate visits with the client face to face.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">Yes. Intrinsic Health invites applications from both our own allied health professionals and external researchers to conduct research.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">All of our allied health practitioners have undertaken tertiary studies to become qualified clinicians. Some of our staff have already completed higher order training, and education at a Masters or Doctoral level to advance their specialist knowledge. For others, the design and participation in research activities both extends their research knowledge and skills and educates the allied health professions to continually improve treatment options and the experience of health care.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">2024 sees the formal launch of the Intrinsic Health Research Committee to review all research applications and promote research throughout the organisation. In addition to strict requirements for approval from a registered Human Research and Ethics Committee, Intrinsic Health also assesses the relevance and impact of a proposed project on the organisation and our various stakeholders.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">No. Participation is entirely voluntary. Research projects have very specific and tightly controlled principles, ethics and procedures. Intrinsic Health does not share any client information with a researcher without the express consent of potential research participants.</p>

<p class="rteBlock">Email hola@intrinsichealth.com.au, Attention Dr Gigi Sutton, Director of Strategy ad Governance.</p>