From April 1st2019, changes to Private Health Insurance mean that ‘Pilates’ will no longer be covered.
Recommendations from the Australian Physiotherapy Association are that the insurer may still pay benefits if a Physiotherapist is still providing services within their scope of practice. Exercise is an evidence based form of treatment provided by Physiotherapists and it is acceptable for exercises drawn from a ‘Pilates’ background to form part of an exercise treatment approach. However, if a Physiotherapist conducts a ‘Pilates’ session whereby the only exercise is ‘Pilates based’ these benefits cannot be lawfully paid.