Podiatry cover

Explore extras cover that helps with the cost of eligible podiatry services, while giving you the freedom to choose a recognised provider.

See your preferred podiatrist¹
Access benefits towards podiatry services and selected support items like orthotics
Compare cover options to suit your needs and budget

¹Provided they are a recognised provider, in private practice.

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Compare Extras Cover with Podiatry Benefits

Choose the level of extras cover that matches your podiatry needs and budget.

Why choose Australian Unity for podiatry cover?

Choose your own podiatrist

You are not locked into a restricted podiatry network. You can generally visit your preferred podiatrist, provided they are appropriately registered and recognised by Australian Unity for the service being claimed.

Choose benefits that suit your needs

Compare a range of podiatry benefit structures and annual limits. This makes it easier to select cover based on your expected treatment needs, other extras priorities and budget.

Support beyond consultations

Benefits are also available towards orthotics, garments, braces or splints. Limits apply.

Compare cover

Podiatry Cover at a Glance

What is podiatry cover?

Podiatry cover is an extras health insurance benefit that helps pay towards services provided by a recognised podiatrist. Podiatrists assess and manage conditions affecting the feet, ankles and lower limbs. People may visit a podiatrist for concerns involving foot function, mobility, skin or nail care, gait, footwear or ongoing foot health. Podiatry benefits and support items on Australian Unity cover apply to:

podiatry consultations;
orthotics
braces and splints
compression or support garments

Annual limits, per-service benefits, waiting periods, clinical requirements and item-specific rules may apply. Ultimately podiatry cover can reduce eligible treatment costs, but it does not necessarily pay the full provider fee

Can I get podiatry cover without hospital cover?

Yes. Australian Unity offers Extras cover options that include podiatry benefits without requiring Hospital cover.

Does Medicare cover podiatry treatment?

Medicare does not generally pay for routine podiatry for everyone. It may provide rebates for eligible podiatry services for some people with chronic conditions who meet the current requirements and have an appropriate referral.

Orthotics Cover and Private Health Insurance

Orthotics are custom-made or prefabricated inserts designed to support the feet, improve alignment and reduce pressure on specific areas. A podiatrist, orthotist or medical practitioner may recommend orthotics to help manage foot pain, gait issues or other foot-related concerns.

Some Australian Unity extras health insurance products include benefits towards eligible orthotics. Depending on your cover, benefits may also be available for approved braces, splints or support garments. These items may have different recommendation requirements, waiting periods and item-specific rules.

Orthotics can vary significantly in cost depending on the type prescribed. As a guide:

Basic prefabricated orthotics may cost around $130
Custom-made orthotics can cost several hundred dollars or more
Replacement and adjustment costs may apply over time

Before purchasing orthotics, check your benefit limit and any applicable waiting periods. Benefits and out-of-pocket costs will vary depending on your cover and the item being claimed.

How to compare health insurance for podiatry

The best health insurance for podiatry is not necessarily the policy with the highest advertised limit. It is the cover that delivers practical value for your likely use while also supporting the other health services that matter to you. Use these four steps to compare cover.

Estimate how often you may use podiatry

Consider whether you expect an occasional appointment or regular treatment. If you already have a podiatrist, ask about expected visit frequency and typical fees.

Compare benefits, annual limits and eligibility requirements

Look at both the benefits you can claim for and the annual limit available for podiatry services and any waiting periods. A higher annual limit may be useful if you expect regular treatment, but only if the per-service benefits allow you to make meaningful use of it.

Look at your complete extras needs

Consider whether you are also likely to use other services because podiatry doesn’t come on its own:

General or major dental
Physiotherapy
Optical
Hearing services
Remedial massage
Other therapies and health support services

Choose cover that fits your needs

Look for cover that aligns with your current health needs and gives you the flexibility to access the services and providers that matter to you.

Compare cover

Tips if you're switching cover

Check when annual limits reset

Benefit years vary between funds. Understanding when annual limits reset can help you plan your claims and understand when a new year's benefits will become available.

Understand waiting periods

If you are taking out a new Extras policy to include podiatry cover, check whether waiting periods apply before you can claim podiatry service

Check provider eligibility

If you already have a preferred podiatrist, check whether you can continue seeing them when you switch cover. Some funds have provider arrangements that may influence where members choose to receive treatment. Australian Unity lets you choose your own podiatrist provided they are appropriately registered and recognised by Australian Unity for the service being claimed

FAQs

Does private health insurance cover podiatry in Australia?

Yes, some extras health insurance products include podiatry. The amount you can claim depends on the product, treatment, per-service benefit, annual limit and waiting periods.

Does Medicare cover podiatry in Australia?

Medicare may provide rebates for eligible podiatry services for some people with chronic medical conditions who meet the current requirements and have an appropriate referral. Medicare does not generally pay for routine podiatry for everyone.

Does Medicare pay the full cost of a podiatrist?

Not necessarily. If you are eligible for a Medicare rebate, the rebate may be less than the podiatrist’s fee. Unless the provider bulk bills, you may need to pay the difference.

How do I compare health insurance for podiatry?

You can compare Australian Unity Extras options online or by speaking with one of our consultants to help choose cover based on your podiatry needs and budget. When comparing products between funds it helps to look at the per-service benefit, annual limit, waiting period, recognised provider requirements and eligibility of orthotics or related support items. Also consider the value of other extras benefits such as dental, physiotherapy, optical and hearing as podiatry benefits are part of broader extras cover.

What should I check before choosing podiatry cover?

Check that podiatry is included, how benefits are calculated, the annual limit, waiting periods, provider requirements and expected out-of-pocket costs. Some funds may have provider arrangements that affect benefits. Australian Unity does not require members to use a restricted podiatry network, but the provider must be recognised for the service being claimed. Always read the current product fact sheet and fund rules before joining.

Is podiatry covered by extras or hospital cover?

Routine outpatient podiatry is generally covered by extras insurance. Hospital cover is designed for eligible treatment provided as a private patient in hospital and does not usually pay routine podiatry consultation benefits.

Can I choose my own podiatrist?

Australian Unity allows members to choose their own podiatrist rather than requiring them to use a restricted network, provided the podiatrist is registered as a podiatrist and recognised by Australian Unity for the service being claimed.

What is a recognised podiatry provider?

A recognised podiatry provider is a podiatrist who is registered with AHPRA, provides services in private practice, and has a valid Medicare provider number.

Are orthotics covered by private health insurance?

Yes, some Extras products may pay benefits towards eligible orthotics. Orthotics are a separate service to podiatry, but may share a combined annual limit with podiatry or other support items, depending on the cover.

Are braces, splints and compression garments covered?

Yes. Eligible braces, splints or garments may receive benefits under some products. Limits, waiting periods and referral requirements can vary, so check the relevant product fact sheet and rules before purchase.

What is an annual podiatry limit?

An annual limit is the maximum amount the Australian Unity will pay towards eligible podiatry services during the applicable benefit year. Once the limit is reached, no further podiatry benefits are payable until the limit resets, subject to continued cover.

What is the difference between a fixed benefit and a percentage benefit?

A fixed benefit pays a stated amount, such as $40, for an eligible service. A percentage benefit pays a proportion, such as 50%, of the eligible service cost. Both remain subject to annual limits and other product rules.

Will podiatry cover pay the entire bill?

No. Australian Unity’s podiatry benefits pay part of the eligible cost, not the full provider fee. The provider’s charge minus your health insurance benefit is your out-of-pocket cost.

Is there a waiting period for podiatry cover?

A waiting period may apply when you first take out extras cover or increase your benefits. Transfer arrangements may recognise equivalent waiting periods already served, but increased benefits can remain subject to additional waiting periods.

Can I claim Medicare and private health insurance for the same podiatry service?

No. If a podiatry service is eligible to be claimed as an outpatient Medicare service, you cannot also claim a private health insurance benefit for the same service. Ask your provider which claiming pathway applies before the claim is submitted.

What is the best health insurance for podiatry?

There is no single best cover for everyone. The best option for you will depend on expected appointment frequency, provider fees, preferred benefit structure, annual limits, premiums and the other extras services you expect to use.

Can I claim podiatry immediately after joining?

A waiting period applies before you can claim podiatry benefits. If you transfer from another registered Australian health fund, Australian Unity may recognise equivalent waiting periods already served, subject to transfer rules.

Do I need a GP referral to claim podiatry through private health insurance?

No. A GP referral is not required for a private health insurance covered podiatry consultation. However, referral requirements may apply to some related items, such as orthotics or garments.

Does health insurance cover plantar fasciitis treatment?

Extras cover does not generally cover a condition itself. However, if you have cover that includes podiatry benefits, you may be able to claim towards eligible podiatry treatment related to conditions such as plantar fasciitis, subject to your cover and limits.

Can health insurance help pay for heel pain treatment?

If your heel pain is treated by a recognised podiatrist and your extras cover includes podiatry benefits, you may be able to claim towards consultations and treatment. Benefits, annual limits and waiting periods may apply.

What is the difference between podiatry and physiotherapy?

Podiatrists focus on the assessment and management of conditions affecting the feet, ankles and lower limbs. Physiotherapists treat a broader range of musculoskeletal, movement and rehabilitation concerns throughout the body. Depending on your needs, a healthcare professional may recommend one service or a combination of both.

Is podiatry cover worth it?

Whether podiatry is worth it depends on your individual needs. People often see a podiatrist to help manage foot pain, mobility concerns, nail and skin issues, footwear advice or ongoing foot health. If you expect to use podiatry services regularly, extras cover with podiatry benefits may help reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

How much does a podiatrist cost?

Podiatry fees vary depending on the provider, treatment type and location. Initial consultations are often more expensive than follow-up appointments, and additional costs may apply for items such as orthotics. Extras cover may help reduce the cost of eligible podiatry services, depending on your level of cover and benefit limits.