Referrals and reimbursements
Referrals
Credentialled Diabetes Educators are health care professionals who have specialised in the field of diabetes education and care. They work in all health care sectors. You will find them in public hospitals and community health centres, in private hospitals and specialist services, in general practice and in their own independent private practice.
In most instances, people with diabetes and their family can refer themselves to a public health sector diabetes service, but it would be best to check this when making an appointment. There is no charge for accessing public health services.
People with diabetes can also self-refer to a Credentialled Diabetes Educators working from a doctor’s surgery or from their own private practice rooms, but this will attract a consultation fee. You may be able to claim reimbursement from Medicare Australia, but you should discuss if you are eligible with your General Practitioner (GP) before making an appointment.
If you are a veteran, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) may cover the consultation fee. But, you should check with DVA and your GP if you are eligible before the appointment.
To find a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) close to where you live or work, please click on ‘Find a CDE’ to return to our home page and start your search.
Reimbursements
Medicare Australia
People with diabetes can in some circumstances claim a reimbursement from Medicare Australia for the fee for an individual consultation by a Credentialled Diabetes Educator. People with type 2 diabetes may also claim reimbursements for the cost of attending group education programs provided by Credentialled Diabetes Educators.
Certain criteria and very specific referral requirements apply. We recommend that people with diabetes make an appointment with their GP to discuss their options and to check if they may be eligible.
Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans with diabetes are in some circumstances eligible to receive diabetes education provided by a Credentialled Diabetes Educators. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ eligibility criteria include a Repatriation Health Card – For All Conditions (Gold Card) or Repatriation Health Card – For Specific Conditions (White Card) when the diabetes has been accepted as caused by war service disease and a referral from a doctor or a hospital discharge planner
We recommend that people with diabetes discuss their options with their GP and contact the Department of Veterans Affair to check if their eligible.
Private Health Insurance
Australians with private health insurance cover are in some circumstances eligible to claim a rebate from their insurer for diabetes education provided by Credentialled Diabetes Educators. Health insurers have their own eligibility criteria and reimbursements are only available for some of their health insurance products and packages.
We recommend that people with diabetes contact their private health insurer to check if the insurance cover or package they have purchased includes diabetes education.
Unfortunately, very few private health insurers offer products that include reimbursement for diabetes education. To find out more about this, please click here.