Clinically necessary physiotherapy services can be claimed under private health insurance
Australian private health insurers must follow rules set by the Federal Government. In July 2025, the government updated the legislation to reintroduce several natural therapies, including Pilates. This has led to understandable confusion about whether Pilates or Feldenkrais can now be claimed under private health insurance.
DISCLAIMER: There are hundreds of private health insurance funds in Australia, each offering different levels of cover and different rebate amounts for physiotherapy services. The information below is a general guide only. For advice specific to your policy, please contact your health fund directly. It may be helpful to quote the item codes mentioned in the FAQs below when you speak with them.
Can I claim Individual Pilates or Feldenkrais Appointments at Free2Move?
Yes — you can claim for individual sessions when they are provided by our physiotherapists and billed as physiotherapy, provided they are clinically necessary. All one‑to‑one appointments at Free2Move are delivered by an AHPRA‑registered physiotherapist and are billed under standard physiotherapy item numbers. This means your session is eligible for rebates according to your level of physiotherapy cover.
Your physiotherapist may incorporate Pilates‑based, Feldenkrais‑informed, or exercise rehabilitation approaches only when your assessment findings show that these methods are clinically appropriate for you. These methods are always used as part of an individualised physiotherapy treatment programme, not as standalone natural therapies.
Because of this, your session is never “pure” Pilates or “pure” Feldenkrais — it is physiotherapy informed by our training across all three fields. Your receipt will list the appropriate physiotherapy item code for your consultation.
Rebate amounts vary between health funds and policies, so please check with your insurer if you’re unsure about your level of cover.
Can I claim for Group Pilates Sessions at Free2Move?
Yes — you can claim for two different types of physiotherapy‑led Pilates at Free2Move, depending on the class format and your level of physiotherapy cover.
1. Exercise Rehabilitation (formerly Clinical Pilates) — Item 560
These are small‑group physiotherapy sessions (maximum 3 participants) where each person follows an individualised programme designed specifically for their needs. The programme is tailored, supervised by an AHPRA‑registered physiotherapist, and delivered as part of your ongoing physiotherapy care. When your assessment findings show that this approach is clinically necessary, the sessions meet the requirements for Group Physiotherapy (Item 560).
Before joining a 560 group, you will need:
- Initial Physiotherapy Assessment
- Planning Appointment
- At least one individual training session on the studio Pilates equipment
These steps ensure your programme is safe, clinically appropriate, and aligned with your goals.
2. Clinical Pilates Floor Classes — Item 561
We also offer more general physiotherapy‑led floor classes with up to 10 participants, which can be claimed under Physiotherapy Class Consultation (Item 561).
These classes are designed for people with specific clinical goals, not for recreation or general fitness. They form part of an ongoing physiotherapy programme and are delivered by an AHPRA‑registered physiotherapist. When your assessment findings show that this approach is clinically necessary, the classes meet the requirements for item 561.
To claim these classes, clients must:
- Attend an individual physiotherapy assessment and goal‑setting appointment at least once every 12 months, so your physiotherapist can document your goals and monitor your progress
- Participate in the classes as part of an ongoing physiotherapy programme
At the end of each class series, we can issue a receipt listing the dates you actually attended. Only attended classes can be claimed — missed classes cannot be claimed.
Can I claim for Awareness through Movement Floor Classes at Free2Move?
Yes — you can claim for our physiotherapy‑led Awareness Through Movement (ATM)–based floor classes under Physiotherapy Class Consultation (Item 561), provided you have physiotherapy cover.
Although these classes are based on the Feldenkrais Method, they are not delivered as natural therapy. At Free2Move, these sessions integrate:
- our physiotherapists’ knowledge of musculoskeletal and chronic health conditions,
- principles of movement re‑education and neuromuscular retraining, and
- Feldenkrais‑informed strategies to support safe, efficient movement.
These classes are designed for people with specific clinical goals, not for recreation or general fitness. They form part of an ongoing physiotherapy programme and are delivered by an AHPRA‑registered physiotherapist, which is why they meet the criteria for item 561.
To remain eligible to claim:
- You must attend an individual physiotherapy assessment and goal‑setting appointment at least once every 12 months.
- This allows your physiotherapist to document your goals, monitor your progress, and ensure the classes remain clinically appropriate for your needs.
At the end of each class series, we can provide a receipt listing the dates you actually attended. Only attended classes can be claimed — missed classes cannot be claimed.
Rebate amounts vary between health funds and policies, so please check with your insurer if you’re unsure about your level of cover.
Where can I find more information?
Please follow the links to confirm the item codes for Physiotherapy.
Hicaps codes for Physiotherapy
