nib First Choice Physiotherapy

In most cases, no. Physiotherapy is only covered by Medicare if you're treating a chronic and complex musculoskeletal condition requiring specific treatment under Medicare’s Chronic Disease Management (CDM) scheme.

Extras cover helps with some of the cost for services that aren’t covered by Medicare, such as a visit to the dentist, a new pair of glasses, opens in a new tab or rehab with a physio.

Physiotherapy (also known as physical therapy) can help relieve pain, regain movement and improve muscle strength using physical means such as massage, heat treatment and exercise.

The First Choice network is our community of specially selected health providers, who have promised they will deliver quality care and value for money by offering agreed rates for nib members.

nib First Choice includes dental practitioners, opens in a new tab and physiotherapy, plus you can also enjoy great savings the next time you need a pair of glasses, opens in a new tab.

As an nib customer you can choose to see the physio, dentist or optical provider of your choice, but by choosing an nib First Choice provider it means you could pay less.

Optical providers, dentists and physiotherapists who are part of our network have agreed to No Gap offers and have set treatment fees which are lower than the average fees*.

If you have an nib Extras cover with physiotherapy, or an eligible policy sold under third party brands such as GU Health, Qantas Health Insurance, APIA, Suncorp, AAMI, ING Health, Priceline, Real Health Insurance and Australian Seniors, you can access our network of First Choice physiotherapists to get your No Gap initial consultation^ and agreed rates* for follow-up appointments. Log in to your member account, opens in a new tab or the nib App to check your annual limits for physiotherapy.

Agreed rates are also available for Hospital Only members.

Your initial face-to-face consultation for a new condition with a First Choice network physiotherapist will be charged with No Gap^. Follow-up consultations will be charged at the agreed rates with the physio.

If it’s an existing condition you’ve already seen your First Choice network physio for you’ll still benefit from our agreed rates and get between 55% to 75% back, depending on your level of Extras cover.

Most physiotherapy services for follow-up visits are covered, such as telehealth, in-person consultations and group and class treatments.

An annual limit is the total amount you can claim back on Extras, such as physiotherapy. There’s an annual limit on how much we’ll pay for specific treatments and services. In some cases, there’s a limit on the number of times you can claim for Extras over a certain period of time (this is called a service limit).

A higher level of cover gives you higher limits to claim from. They’re calculated per person, per calendar year.

Depending on the level of health cover you choose, you’ll get between 55% to 75% of the cost back on Extras every time you claim, until you reach your annual or service limit.

Once you have reached your limits, you are still able to see your First Choice network physio at our agreed rates*.

You can see any recognised provider and make a claim, but by seeing a provider in our First Choice network, you could reduce the Gap (also known as an ‘out of pocket expense’) left between the total cost of your treatment and what we pay.

We only pay for services from recognised providers. A recognised physiotherapy provider is someone who provides physiotherapy, works in private practice and has professional qualifications recognised by nib.

Physiotherapists are invited to apply to become part of the First Choice network. To register your interest, fill out this form for Honeysuckle Health, opens in a new tab.

If your practice meets our criteria, Honeysuckle Health, opens in a new tab will be in touch for more information.

Honeysuckle Health was established in December 2019 with the specific purpose of delivering better health outcomes for members and communities generally. The business is a joint venture initiative between nib and Cigna Corporation (Cigna), a global health services company. Honeysuckle Health aims to play a leading role in Australia’s healthcare systems by engaging members, medical practitioners, payers and allied health providers in the provision of innovative, evidence-based healthcare services and programs.