Yes! You can claim instant private health rebates for Remedial Massage through all major private health funds via Hicaps. Check with your health fund provider to see what refund you qualify for.

YES! You may be eligible for private health rebates on 1:1 and 1:3 Clinical Pilates sessions at Tippy Bird Studio!

Rebates are available when sessions are prescribed by a healthcare professional to manage or improve a specific diagnosed medical condition (e.g., back rehabilitation or arthritis) under a Health Management program.

Great news: Both Lahn and Tippy Bird Studio are fully accredited with AUSactive, meaning we hold two separate Bupa provider numbers you can use to claim your sessions.

How to Claim with Bupa

To claim through Bupa Extras, your sessions must be delivered as a targeted health management program rather than general fitness.

Eligibility Requirements

• Eligible Policy: You must hold a Bupa policy with Health Management benefits (e.g., selected Corporate Extras).

• Medical Necessity: Sessions must directly address a diagnosed medical condition.

• Qualified Provider: Your instructor and studio must be AUSactive-registered (Lahn & Tippy Bird Studio are both covered!).

3-Step Claiming Process

1. Get Medical Approval: Download Bupa’s Health Management Gym and PT Medical Form and have your GP, specialist, or exercise physiologist sign it.

   (Note: The form must be signed before your payment date and remains valid for 12 months.)

2. Pay & Get an Itemised Receipt: Attend and pay for your session. We will provide an itemised receipt containing your name, our AUSactive numbers, ABN, address, and service details.

3. Submit Online: Log into your myBupa account via a desktop web browser (desktop is required for this claim type), upload your signed form and receipt, and submit!

Other Participating Health Funds

You can also claim Clinical Pilates sessions run by an AUSactive professional through several other major and regional health funds (requires eligible Extras cover and a medical referral/form from your GP). Links to forms are provided below where available:

Major Funds

• Bupa: Claim under the Health Management Gym and PT program (requires Bupa medical form).

• HCF: Reclaimable via the Health Management Program (requires signed HCF Exercise & Gym Benefits Form).

• Medibank: Covered under Health Support Programs for GP-identified conditions (on My Choice Extras products).

• nib: Recognized under Healthier Lifestyle Benefits for documented health conditions.

• ahm: Accepted via Health Improvement Benefits with their official medical approval form.

Regional & Not-for-Profit Funds

• Health Partners: Partners with AUSactive for Pilates class rebates.

• Westfund: Claimable under Health Management Program benefits.

• Teachers Health: Covered via Healthy Lifestyle Benefits with a signed declaration form.

• CBHS: Accessible under Health Management / Wellness using a signed HMPA form.

Subject to individual policy limits, waiting periods, and health fund rules. Check with your fund to confirm your specific cover.

Yes! As a registered WorkSafe Remedial Massage provider, I can provide treatments for work-related injuries. To ensure your claim is processed smoothly, please keep the following in mind:

• Medical Referral Required: WorkSafe requires a written request or referral from your GP (Medical Practitioner) before your massage treatment begins.

• Claim Details: You will need to provide your WorkSafe Claim Number, Case Manager’s details, and the name of your employer or insurer prior to your first session.

• Gap Payments: WorkSafe sets a maximum fee schedule for remedial massage. Because our clinical sessions may exceed this amount, a gap payment is usually required at the time of your appointment. You can then submit your receipt to your agent for the approved rebate.

• Clinical Focus: These sessions are specifically designed for rehabilitation and functional recovery, focusing on your return-to-work goals as outlined in the Clinical Framework.

Note: We recommend checking with your Case Manager to confirm how many sessions have been approved under your current claim.

Yes. Both Remedial Massage and Clinical Pilates are often covered by the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS)—which recently replaced VOCAT—as part of a victim’s physical or psychological recovery.

To ensure your sessions are covered, please consider the following:

• Evidence of Need: The FAS generally requires that the service is "reasonable and necessary" for your recovery. A brief letter or recommendation from your GP or specialist supporting Remedial Massage or Clinical Pilates is highly recommended.

• Case Manager Approval: Before beginning regular sessions, confirm with your FAS Case Manager or legal representative that these therapies are included in your approved "Medical and Recovery Expenses."

• Documentation: During your Initial 1:1 Consultation, we will document your clinical goals. This assessment helps provide the necessary evidence to show how these treatments (whether it's manual therapy or movement-based rehab) assist in your long-term recovery.

• Invoicing: We provide formal tax invoices for you to seek reimbursement. If you have an approved Purchase Order from the Department, please provide this prior to your appointment so we can discuss direct invoicing options.

Why combine both?

Many of our DJCS/FAS clients find that combining Remedial Massage (to manage acute pain and tension) with Clinical Pilates (to rebuild functional strength and stability) provides the most holistic path to recovery.

Yes, in many cases! However, because we are a private studio, the following conditions typically apply:

• NDIS: We can accept participants who are Self-Managed or Plan-Managed for Remedial Massage or Clinical Pilates. We cannot currently accept "NDIA-Managed" participants as we are not a registered NDIS provider. Your sessions must align with the "Capacity Building" or "Improved Daily Living" goals in your plan.

• Aged Care (Home Care Packages): You can often use your HCP or "Support at Home" funding if Remedial Massage or Pilates is included in your Care Plan to manage age-related functional decline or chronic conditions. You will need to coordinate this with your Package Provider first.

• Other Third Parties: For WorkCover or DVA, please contact us directly. These usually require specific prior approval and a GP referral.

Tip: We recommend discussing Remedial Massage or Pilates with your Plan Manager or Case Manager first. We can provide the necessary tax invoices and progress reports required for your claims.

No, a referral isn't required for a standard Remedial Massage, though Lahn loves collaborating with your care team. If you have recent scans or a management plan, please email them in advance or bring them to your Initial Consultation or Follow Up Sessions.

A referral from your GP or Allied Health provider may be needed via a completed Health Management Gym and PT Medical Form if you intend to claim private health fund rebates for Pilates sessions. Please check with your individual health fund for conditions and your eligibility.

Absolutely. Your Clinical sessions are specifically designed for "special populations." Your program is tailored to your physical limitations and medical history.

You don't need to decide this yourself! During your Initial 1:1 Clinical Session, Lahn performs a thorough postural and muscle assessment to identify "trigger points" or areas of myofascial tension. If she believes these techniques will accelerate your recovery, she will explain the benefits for your specific condition.

• Dry Needling is excellent for "switching off" stubborn muscle or nerve pain that stretching alone can't reach.

• Cupping is ideal for increasing circulation and "lifting" tight connective tissue to improve your range of motion.

Your Consent Matters: These are strictly optional additions to your remedial therapy. Lahn will always discuss the process with you first, and these techniques are only performed with your clear, informed consent. If you prefer manual massage only, your treatment will be tailored accordingly.

Regarding Remedial Massage, the regularity of your sessions will depend on how quickly your body responds to treatment. You are reassessed at every follow up session to determine whether you need to return again weekly or fortnightly (acute conditions, pre- and post-event prep), or every 4-6 weeks (maintenance, chronic conditions).

Regarding Clinical Pilates, consistency is key. For rehabilitation and chronic condition management, we generally recommend 2 sessions per week to build muscle memory and functional strength.

Clinical Pilates is a movement therapy used for rehabilitation and functional strength. It is supervised by a specialist and uses clinical-grade equipment (like the rehab reformer) to address specific pathologies rather than a "one-size-fits-all" fitness Pilates workout. Regular observation and modifications are applied to exercises to suit your functional needs at each session. This is no cookie cutter approach.

Every new client starts with a 1:1 Initial Clinical Consultation. This ensures you are safe, confident, and have a program tailored to your body before moving into small groups or self-managed sessions.

Comfortable exercise clothing that allows you to move freely. For hygiene and safety on the equipment, grip socks are required (available for purchase at the studio).

The studio provides filtered water, cleaning spray and cloths to ensure good hygiene practices.