Can Medicare pay for speech therapy?

Medicare can give a partial rebate for a limited number of speech pathology sessions each year if your GP prepares a Chronic Disease Management plan. A gap fee usually still applies.

Through a Chronic Disease Management plan (sometimes still called a care plan), a GP can refer your child for a capped number of allied health sessions in a calendar year, which can include speech pathology. Medicare then rebates part of the cost of each eligible session.

The rebate is partial, so most families pay the difference between the clinic's fee and the Medicare rebate. The number of sessions is limited and shared across all allied health under the plan, so it suits shorter-term needs rather than ongoing therapy.

Start by booking a longer GP appointment to discuss whether your child is eligible and to set up the plan. Your GP and the clinic can confirm the current rebate amount.

This page is general information, not clinical advice, and every child is different. For advice about your child, speak with a GP or a speech pathologist.