In-hospital physio must be pre-authorised

As from 2010 all physiotherapy given to GEMS patients in-hospital, needs to be pre-authorised. Patients are often not aware of the need for physiotherapy prior to admission and only become aware of this, once admitted and the treatment has started. As with all medical treatment, services not covered by the Scheme will become the member's responsibility and may have a severe financial impact on the member.

What can you do?
Discuss any required physiotherapy with your treating doctor at the time of planning and admission.
Certain surgical and medical procedures will always involve the use of physiotherapy in order to facilitate healing, and your treating doctor would be planning this as part of your admission. This will enable you to obtain pre-authorisation for physiotherapy at the time of authorising your hospital admission.

What do you need?
In addition to the doctor's procedure and diagnostic codes, you will require the name or practice number of the physiotherapist. This can be obtained from the treating doctor or from the admitting hospital.