The National Disability Insurance Scheme provides approximately 460,000 Australians with permanent and significant disability with funding for support services. Registered NDIS participants can access podiatry as a therapy under ‘reasonable and necessary’ support.
Podiatry is the most utilised Medicare-subsidised individual allied health service, with patients with diabetes most likely to use this service under Chronic Disease Management plans. However, ongoing allied health workforce shortages place NDIS participants at risk of inadequate access to podiatry services. For more information about the NDIS podiatry services Adelaide, click here.
NDIS Mobile Podiatry
If you have a disability and need assistance to care for your feet, our qualified podiatrists can come to you. The NDIS covers home visiting podiatry services and can be included in your plan as a ‘reasonable and necessary’ support.
We can help you maintain your independence by assisting with nail cutting, foot hygiene, foot injury management and pain relief. We also provide footwear designed explicitly for difficult-to-fit feet with simple fastenings that are easy to put on and remove.
We have strict procedures for cleaning, disinfection and sterilising our equipment to ensure we do not transmit any infections to you. Our staff are trained in these procedures and follow all the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Home Visiting Podiatrist
If you’re a participant of the NDIS, you may be eligible for home-visiting podiatry services. This will help you maintain your independence and manage everyday tasks such as trimming your toenails and managing corns and calluses.
The NDIS provides participants with “reasonable and necessary supports” to help them live happy lives. Podiatry can be one of these supports, so you should find out if your plan covers this service. For more information about the NDIS podiatry services Adelaide, click here.
In Australia, most podiatrists are employed in private practice and are funded fee-for-service with subsidies through Medicare, an Australian Government health insurance scheme [3]. In addition, some allied health professionals bulk bill certain items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule, which can result in zero out-of-pocket costs to patients.
NDIS Assessment
Foot care can be challenging for people with disabilities, especially when trimming toenails. If you are an NDIS participant, your plan may include funding for podiatry services as a therapy support.
OTs can objectively assess your functional needs and identify the types of support that will help you achieve your goals. They can also help you choose and buy equipment and modify your home environment. OTs can also offer other therapies, such as counselling and massage.
Data on podiatry utilisation was sourced from the community health information system ComCare. Data was analysed using a combination of computer-assisted telephone interviews and clinic assessments. Foot pain and podiatry use were examined for associations with demographic variables, including age, sex, body mass index, selected chronic diseases, health risk factors and musculoskeletal pain. However, data relating to podiatry were embedded within overall cohort analyses and attributing characteristics to the podiatry workforce has been challenging.
NDIS Treatments
NDIS participants can use their funds to access a variety of therapies and supports. These include clinical physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, psychosocial therapy, clinical hypnotherapy and mindfulness and relaxation therapy. These services build capacity and improve daily functioning to support independence and community participation.
Several providers in Adelaide provide NDIS Home Visit Physiotherapy services. These providers can assist with self-managed, plan-managed, and NDIA-managed participants. For more information about the NDIS podiatry services Adelaide, click here.
The NDIS Home Visit Physiotherapy service is classified as therapy support and can be included in your NDIS plan under the ‘Reasonable and Necessary’ support category.
NDIS Hydrotherapy offers a water-based exercise program that can achieve various outcomes, from muscle strengthening to improving mobility/flexibility and gait re-education. Before commencing in a NDIS Physiotherapy hydrotherapy program, you will be thoroughly assessed in a consultation that can take up to an hour. This includes a history of previous injuries and an assessment of posture, joint mobility, flexibility, and muscle control.
NDIS podiatry services in Adelaide are therapy supports and can be claimed under your NDIS plan. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS Physio) provides Australians under 65 who have a permanent and significant disability with funding for support. We currently help self-managed, and plan managed participants.