If your child has been referred to a dietitian under a Medicare plan, you might be wondering:
- What the appointment will involve?
- How it may differ from a standard initial feeding assessment?
This guide is designed to help you understand what to expect, so you can feel prepared and make the most of your child’s appointment.
Understanding Medicare Referrals
Under Medicare, children may be eligible for a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) (previously known as an EPC plan), which provides access to allied health services, including dietetics.
- These referrals allow for
- up to 5 allied health sessions per calendar year
- can be used with one or multiple disciplines
- the referral may specify number of sessions, but not always
- For example, your GP may allocate all 5 sessions to dietetics, or split them across multiple disciplines such as dietetics, speech pathology, and occupational therapy. E.g. 1 dietetics, 2 Speech Pathology/ 2 Occupational Therapy
A Focus on One Key Concern
Medicare-funded dietetic appointments are designed to address one primary concern identified by your referring practitioner. This might include areas such as:
- Poor weight gain or growth concerns
- Limited food variety
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Allergies or new diagnosis of a medical condition
This primary concern is noted on the referral documentation by your referring practitioner.
Because of this, these appointments are shorter, and more targeted in scope than a comprehensive feeding assessment. While your dietitian will still gather relevant background information, the focus will remain on the specific concern outlined in your child’s referral.
What Happens During the Appointment?
Dietetic appointments at Eat Speak Learn for one presenting concern are typically up to 60 minutes in length. Medicare requires a minimum of 20-minute, consult. At Eat Speak Learn, we structure appointments to allow appropriate assessment and support.
During this time, your dietitian will:
- Complete a focused assessment related to the referral concern
- Ask questions about your child’s current eating patterns and relevant history
- Provide tailored advice and practical strategies
- Work with you to set achievable goals
At Eat Speak Learn we allocate up to 10 minutes of non-face-to-face time for follow-up.
- documentation and GP communication are completed as part of the service
This means your total appointment may be billed for up to 70minutes of duration. Medicare provides a rebate starting at $61.80. You will be responsible for the additional out of pocket cost.
Identifying Additional Needs
Although the session is focused on one key concern, your dietitian will still take a holistic view of your child’s needs. During the appointment, they may identify additional areas that could benefit from further support.
If this happens, your practitioner will discuss this with you and may recommend involving other members of the multidisciplinary team, such as:
- Speech Pathologists
- Occupational Therapists
- Exercise Physiologists
These supports would typically be arranged outside of (and additional to) the appointments specified in your Medicare referral, ensuring your child receives comprehensive, well-rounded care where needed.
Making the Most of Your Appointment
To get the best outcome from your Medicare dietetic appointment, it can help to:
- Bring any relevant medical or feeding history- this can include recent blood tests, growth charts (or blue book), or reports from other specialists your child may be seeing
- Have a clear understanding of your main concern or goal
- Prepare any key questions you would like to ask
Supporting Your Child’s Nutrition Journey
While Medicare-funded appointments are more targeted than full feeding assessments, they can provide valuable, practical support to help address your child’s immediate needs. If more comprehensive assessment or ongoing input is required, your dietitian will guide you through the next steps.
Our team is here to support you and your child every step of the way—helping you build confidence, clarity, and positive experiences around food.
