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.
How does this affect you?
While the exercise classes we offer at our clinics have traditionally been called ‘Pilates’ classes, they have always been much more individually targeted, specifically progressed and individually monitored than a standard Pilates class. Our classes incorporate a range of treatment approaches; including strength, neuromuscular control and mobility. Some of these, but not all, draw on the original ideas of Pilates. The exercises within the class environment are carefully chosen and modified for each participant according to their history, goals and current status. As a result, the content of our classes will not change at all under the new legislation, just the name and some of our screening processes.
To ensure we meet the new legal requirements, the following will occur from the end of March 2019:
- Formalization of our assessment and pre-screening process before attending your first session
- Regular re-assessment of class participants to ensure progress towards individual goals
- Renaming of our exercise classes to remove the terminology of Pilates.
From April 2019 our classes will be known as Functional Exercise Class. Our ‘Mums and Bubs’ class will now be known as Postnatal Exercise Class.
If you have any further queries regarding how these changes will affect you, please contact the relevant rooms on:
Blacktown 9672 3511
Penrith 4721 5788
Norwest 8814 5551
Westmead 9633 1035
