What is Medibank's Rehab at Home program?
After surgery or hospitalisation a period of rehabilitation may be required to help you recover and optimise your health and independence. Instead of remaining in hospital for rehab, eligible hospital members can receive this treatment in the comfort their own home, where clinically appropriate.*
Total joint replacement rehab
Recover in the comfort and familiarity of your own home. Expect to receive between 6-8 physiotherapy treatments and 1-2 nursing visits over a 4-6 week period.
General rehab
Rehab for complications following surgery, medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or, stroke, injuries or fractures following a fall, and recovery from cancer treatment. Expect to receive services for up to 6 weeks, depending on clinical complexity and progress.
What are the benefits of Rehab at Home?
May include personal care, meals and domestic assistance.*
24/7 telephone access to a registered nurse.^
Rehab at Home is delivered across Australia.*
How does Rehab at Home work?
If you need help with a referral, call us on 1300 733 338 and we can speak to you or one of your health professionals on your behalf.
1. Get a referral from one of your treating health professionals
This can be the treating doctor, discharge planner, nurse unit manager or allied health practitioner. Your treating surgeon must agree Rehab at Home is clinically appropriate. This can be sent to us before your surgery from your doctor or the pre-admission clinic, or after surgery from one of the health professionals treating you in the hospital. If you are in hospital and your doctor suggests that you could benefit from rehabilitation, you (or your carer) might like to ask your treating health professionals if Rehab at Home is suitable for you.
2. The Case Coordination team will call to arrange an initial assessment
Once you have been successfully referred, a member of the Case Coordination team will contact you (or your carer) before or shortly after you leave hospital to arrange an initial assessment. This assessment is carried out on the phone and will help determine your rehabilitation goals. Your first nursing and physio visits will be scheduled based on what services you require for your home-based rehab.
3. Personalised rehab plan and support
Together with any recommendations from your healthcare team, a personalised rehabilitation plan will be developed for you that includes services that you may need for your recovery. This plan may change over the course of your treatment depending on your progress and clinical needs.
4. Round-the-clock support
While you receive your rehabilitation at home, the Case Coordination team will stay in close contact with you. They will help confirm your appointments, monitor your progress, and manage any issues or concerns you may have. They will also keep your doctor or treating clinician updated on your progress. While you’re participating in the program, you’ll also have 24/7 telephone access to a registered nurse.^
Hear from our members
Hear from Medibank members who have participated in our Rehab at Home program.
Nicole's Rehab at Home story
Most of Nicole Livingstone's athletic career was injury-free, until two partial knee replacements at the age of 49. Nicole was faced with incredible uncertainty in her physical mobility and her resilient mindset was going to be more important than ever before.
Ken's Rehab at Home story
Ken had a left knee total joint replacement. When the time came for a right knee replacement, Ken, with the support of his treating doctor, had the choice to do his post-surgery rehab in the hospital, or in the comfort of his own home.
Are you eligible for Rehab at Home?
Must hold residential hospital cover that includes rehabilitation and have served waiting periods.
Must already be admitted in hospital and not currently having any in-patient rehab. Rehabilitation will be arranged as soon as it is possible to secure services, post-discharge from hospital.
Frequently asked questions
Things you should know
While we hope you find this information helpful, please note that it is general in nature. It is not health advice, and is not tailored to meet your individual health needs. You should always consult a trusted health professional before making decisions about your health care. While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them. For these reasons we are unable to accept responsibility for any loss that may be sustained from acting on this information (subject to applicable consumer guarantees).
* For eligible hospital members who have served waiting periods. Treating doctor must consider it appropriate. Services are subject to provider availability. Providers are not located in all areas and may change without notice. Additional treatment may incur out-of-pocket costs.
^ OSHC members should call the Student Health and Support Line on 1800 887 283.