Why Clinical Conditioning (instead of Clinical Pilates) – The Performance Medicine Difference

Wondering what happened to “Clinical Pilates Classes”?? 

At Performance Medicine, we strive to provide the best possible care and treatment options for our valued clients. Our team of physiotherapists aim to offer the best evidence based opportunity for recovery and health. We encourage and facilitate the ability to use your private health insurance rebate for our services and care – including for our group exercise options. 

For group exercise this means not having generic group classes but rather offering Clinical Conditioning Classes. Our classes utilise a combination of exercise principles, including Pilates, targeted strength and conditioning, mobility and more. In this blog post, we will explain why what may have previously been called ‘Clinical Pilates Classes” are referred to as ‘Clinical Conditioning classes’ and how or why these changes may affect you.

Health Fund Rebates, Health Fund Reform and Evidence Based Care

Due to the changes made by the Department of Health in 2017 to private health insurance, there are some barriers to using the term “Pilates” when describing the type of individualised care that we provide in our classes. A number of years ago, the Department of Health implemented reforms that impacted the eligibility of certain natural therapies, including “Pilates” for private health insurance rebates. The objective of these changes was to remove private health insurance funding for therapies that were not medically based. The reforms aimed to ensure that health insurance rebates were only available for therapies provided by qualified professionals to manage medical issues and injuries effectively – which rest assured, we do!

Classes at Performance Medicine

As qualified physiotherapists, we are allied health professionals capable of diagnosing issues and prescribing interventions, including treatments and exercises. Therefore, our classes fall under the Physiotherapy Group and Class consultation item code, making them eligible for private health insurance rebates.

Our Clinical Conditioning Classes, (which were previously known as Clinical Pilates Classes), have a point of difference and meet the following criteria:

1. Thorough Initial Assessment:
   • We conduct a comprehensive assessment with a physiotherapist to understand your specific needs and goals.
2. Evidence-Based and Therapeutic Approach: 
   • Our classes use an evidence-based framework and treatment plan to ensure optimal outcomes and allow you to better progress towards your goals. 
3. Qualified Physiotherapists: 
   • Our classes are led by experienced physiotherapists who possess the expertise to address individual needs.
4. Individualised Approach: 
   • We utilise a variety of exercise principles including Pilates equipment and concepts, Strength and Conditioning, Mobility and more to tailor the exercises to meet the unique requirements of each participant, ensuring personalised care.
5. Progress Tracking:
   • We maintain detailed clinical notes for each class to track your progress and address any issues you may experience.
6. Regular Exercise Reviews: 
   • We will periodically review your exercises to keep them up to date and relevant to your evolving needs.
7. Accurate Invoicing: 
   • We provide you with tax invoices that accurately reflect the item code you can claim, in compliance with the private health insurance reforms.

Not covered by your health insurance?

Even with the reassurance above, you may need to check with your health fund to see if you are covered for physiotherapy led group exercise. If you are unable to claim through private health insurance, don’t stress, you can still join our classes and expect the same individualised attention to detail described above! We also offer 10-session passes, which reduce the cost per class – this option is available regardless of whether you claim back with your fund or not. 

So what are you waiting for – come join us for clinical conditioning and experience the performance medicine difference.