A GP chronic condition management plan is a Medicare-supported way for your GP to map out your care, set goals with you and connect you with the right support. Here's what it involves, who's eligible and how to get one at Kilmore Village Medical.
Why a management plan makes a difference
When you're managing an ongoing condition, care can easily become fragmented: a bit of advice here, a referral there, with no one keeping the whole picture in view. With a plan in place, your health goals are written down, everyone involved in your care works from the same information, and you can get Medicare-subsidised access to allied health services. Rather than reacting to problems as they come up, you and your GP plan ahead to keep you well.
What is a chronic condition management plan?
It's a written plan your GP prepares with you if you have a chronic condition: one that has been present, or is likely to be present, for six months or more. There's no fixed list of qualifying conditions.
The current plan is called a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP). If you've had a plan before, you may remember the older GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement, which were combined into this single plan on 1 July 2025.
Every plan covers the same essentials:
- Your health goals: agreed between you and your GP
- The written plan: kept on your file and shared with you
- Referrals to allied health: where other professionals should be involved
- A review schedule: so the plan stays current as your needs change
Am I eligible?
Eligibility comes down to one main question: do you have a condition that's likely to last six months or more? It's a clinical judgement your GP makes with you. Conditions often managed this way include:
- Diabetes: type 1 or type 2
- Respiratory conditions: such as asthma or COPD
- Heart and circulation: including heart disease and high blood pressure
- Musculoskeletal conditions: such as arthritis and chronic back pain
- Chronic pain: where it's ongoing and affects daily life
- Some mental health conditions: where a coordinated approach helps
If you're not sure whether your condition qualifies, book a longer appointment and ask. Even if a plan isn't the right fit yet, your GP can talk through other ways to manage your condition.
How to get a plan
- Book a longer appointment with your GP, and let reception know it's for a chronic condition management plan so enough time is set aside
- Talk it through: your GP reviews your condition, your goals and the support that would help
- Set up the plan: your GP writes it up and, where appropriate, refers you to allied health
- Review it regularly: reviews can happen as often as every three months, and at least every 18 months to keep your allied health access active
Our practice nurse works alongside your GP and may help with parts of your plan, such as checks and follow-ups.
What allied health support does it cover?
Depending on your needs, your GP may refer you to allied health professionals in the community, such as:
- Physiotherapists and exercise physiologists: for musculoskeletal and heart conditions
- Dietitians and diabetes educators: for diabetes or weight-related concerns
- Podiatrists: for foot, circulation and mobility problems
- Psychologists and occupational therapists: for mental health and day-to-day function
- Other allied health: such as speech pathology or audiology, where relevant
With a referral under your plan, you can generally claim Medicare rebates for up to five allied health visits each calendar year, with one provider or spread across several. Allied health providers set their own fees, so ask them about any gap when you book.
Is it bulk billed?
Yes. GP consultations, including chronic condition management plans and reviews, are bulk billed for Medicare-eligible patients at Kilmore Village Medical. How bulk billing works.
When to see your GP
Book an appointment rather than waiting if:
- Your condition is getting worse or harder to manage
- You're due, or overdue, for your plan review
- A new symptom is worrying you
In an emergency, call 000.
Getting the most from your plan
A management plan works best as a living document, reviewed regularly and adjusted as your health changes. If you think a plan could help you, book online or call (03) 4714 8400.
The information in this article is general in nature and isn't a substitute for personalised medical advice. If you're concerned about your health, book an appointment with your GP at Kilmore Village Medical or call (03) 4714 8400.