Rebates & Health Insurance

	Step Forward has been established in USA since 1974. Step Forward Orthotics are still made only in USA, and exported to many countries around the world. This web-site is for Australia. For other countries, go to our international* page.*

	HEALTH INSURANCE

Health Insurance & Compensation

Step Forward Orthotics are a medical device with enormous benefits. Although they have been available in the USA for well over 30 years, they arrived in Australia only in 2004. Most health insurance funds and government departments developed their rules long before they were aware of the Step Forward approach.

Whether or not you can claim a benefit from your health fund or other organisation is a matter between you and them. We suggest you apply for a refund. If they reject your claim then we suggest you write a letter to the Manager of Ancillary Benefits (or equivalent) of your fund or of the agency, asking them to change their policy. Unfortunately, many of these organisations seek their advice only from podiatrists, and close their eyes to alternative methodologies.

Step Forward Orthotics is the Australian office for Step Forward Co in the USA. We are the manufacturer and we supply and train the doctors, chiropractors, therapists, etc. When you buy from us, you are buying direct from the manufacturer. As such we have not been issued a 'provider number' by most health insurance funds or agencies.

However, even if you cannot get any compensation or refund, be aware that Step Forward Orthotics work out to only about $25 per year over their typical life.

Health Insurance Funds

The following information is provided to the best of our knowledge, but is subject to confirmation by each fund and subject to change. Please note that benefits also depend upon your level of cover and any previous claims. This information was updated on 14 July 2010.

= Recommended. We recommend these funds, since they now pay reasonable benefits on our orthotics.

= Change Funds. We recommend you change to a more understanding and co-operative health insurer.
Please note that health insurance funds offer portability of benefits and you are free to take your health cover to a more obliging insurer. Check the specifics of this with each health fund before transferring, and be sure to get your ‘clearance certificate’ from the old fund.

ACA Health Benefits Fund RECOMMENDED
They have not replied to us in writing, but have confirmed verbally (23/03/09) that they will pay up to 80% (limit $400) provided you have a letter from a doctor.
This is a Restricted Membership Fund. Visit their website for more information.

Australian Health Management
They have confirmed to us in writing that they will not pay benefits on Step Forward Orthotics. In 2008, the reason given was that our orthotics are "made overseas. We do not paid (sic) overseas claim." In 2009, the reason given was that "orthotics must be custom made". They refused to allow us to meet with them to put our case.

Australian Unity RECOMMENDED
They have confirmed to us in writing (17/09/07) that they will pay benefits for Step Forward Orthotics, provided:
a) your ancillary cover includes orthotics,
b) you have a referral from a registered medical practitioner, chiropractor or occupational therapist, and
c) the referral is dated before the date of the invoice.
We have been verbally advised (Sep 08) that our Provider Number is 21036902 and that the referral letter can also be from a physiotherapist or an osteopath.
This is an Open Membership Fund. Visit their website for more information.

BUPA
BUPA, the giant UK-based health fund, now owns the HBA, Mutual Community, MBF, NRMA, SGIC & SGIO brands of health insurance.
They have confirmed that from 1st July 2010 they will not pay any benefits for pre-formed orthotics.
We recommend you transfer to an Australian-owned fund.

CBHS Health Fund
They verbally advised that they will not pay benefits for our orthotics (24/03/09).

Cessnock District Health Benefits Fund
They have verbally advised that they will not pay benefits for our orthotics (24/03/09).

CUA Health
They have verbally advised that they will not pay benefits for our orthotics (24/03/09).

CY Health
Refer to HBF Group

Defence Health
They have verbally advised (24/03/09) that they will not pay benefits on our orthotics, although several customers have reported receiving a rebate.

Doctors’ Health Fund RECOMMENDED
They have not replied to us in writing, but have confirmed verbally that they will pay up to 50%. A referral letter is not required.
This is a Restricted Membership Fund. Visit their website for more information.

GMF Health (formerly Goldfields Medical Fund)
Refer to HBF Group

GMHBA
They have confirmed to us in writing that they will not pay benefits for our orthotics. They will pay benefits for orthotics only if they are provided by a podiatrist or an orthotist. They will not pay a benefit even if they are provided by a chiropractor, physiotherapist, osteopath or a surgeon.

Grand United Corporate
They have verbally advised that they will not pay benefits for our orthotics.

HBA
See BUPA above.

HBF Group
They have confirmed in writing that they will NOT pay benefits on our orthotics. They will pay benefits only for custom-made orthotics provided by a podiatrist. They will not pay a benefit even if they are provided by a chiropractor, physiotherapist, osteopath or a surgeon. Please note that the HBF Group includes CY Health (Kalgoorlie), GMF (Kalgoorlie), HBF (Perth) & Healthguard/Westfund (Lithgow).

HCF
HCF have confirmed (14/07/10) they will pay $40 per pair on our orthotics, provided you have a letter from a chiropractor, osteopath, physiotherapist, sports physician or podiatrist prescribing (or recommending) Step Forward Orthotics. Note this letter must be dated before our receipt, and cannot be from a General Practitioner..

Health Care Insurance RECOMMENDED
They have confirmed to us in writing that they will pay benefits of 100% up to $200 (Premier Cover) or $100 (Essential Package), provided our receipt is accompanied by a referral letter from a doctor, physiotherapist, chiropractor, osteopath or similar professional. This letter must be dated no later than 2 weeks after the date on our invoice/receipt. The Provider Number for Step Forward orthotics is P1901153
This is a Restricted Membership Fund (Forestry, Timber & Paper). Visit their website for more information.

Healthguard
Refer to HBF Group above.

Health Partners
They have not replied to us in writing, but have advised verbally that they will not pay a benefit for our orthotics.

HIF
They have not replied to us in writing, but have advised verbally that they will not pay a benefit for our orthotics.

LaTrobe
They have not replied to us in writing, but we understand they pay benefits only for orthotics provided by a podiatrist.

Manchester Unity
See HCF.

Medibank Private RECOMMENDED
They has confirmed to us in writing that they will pay benefits under either of two situations:
a) our detailed receipt is sufficient when claiming from your Package Bonus, and/or
b) our detailed receipt along with a prescription from a registered medical practitioner, chiropractor, physiotherapist or osteopath when claiming as orthotics.
We understand that:
The HiCaps Item Number is F240 (a preformed orthotic) and can be found in the "podo" section.
Benefit is 80% or 60% or nil, according to level of cover, etc.
Package Bonus may be used to top up the benefit.
Our provider numbers are:
NSW 0990501X
NT 0990561H
QLD 0990521T
SA 0990531L
TAS 0990551J
VIC 0990511W
WA 0990541K
This is an Open Membership Fund. Visit their website for more information.

MBF
See BUPA above.

Mildura District Hospital Fund
They have confirmed to us verbally that they will pay benefits providing you have a letter from your doctor. However, the benefit is only $60 per pair.

Mutual Community
See BUPA above.

Navy Health
We have no information about this fund, but it appears they pay benefits only for custom-made orthotics.

NIB RECOMMENDED
They have advised verbally (29/04/10) that they will pay a rebate on our orthotics (effective from 01 April 2010). The amount depends on your cover. Our provider number is 10091226.
We have not been advised if a letter from a medical practitioner is required.

NRMA
See BUPA above.

OneMediFund
See Peoplecare below.

Peoplecare
They confirmed in writing (26/05/10) that they will not pay a benefit for our orthotics.

Phoenix Health Fund
We have no information about this fund.

Police Health
We have no information about this fund.

Queensland Country Health
They advised verbally (13/08/08) that they will not pay a benefit for our orthotics.

Reserve Bank Health Society
They advised verbally (30/04/10) that they will not pay benefits for our orthotics unless provided by a chiropractor.

RT Health
We have no information about this fund but believe they will not pay benefits on our orthotics.

St Lukes
They have advised verbally (30/04/10) that they will pay a rebate on our orthotics (effective from 01 May 2010). The amount (up to $200) depends on your cover. A referral from a medical practitioner is NOT required. Our provider number is TBA.

SGIC & SGIO
See BUPA above.

Teachers Federation Health Fund RECOMMENDED
They have not replied to us in writing. They have verbally informed us that:
They will pay a benefit of up to $200 per pair provided you have a letter from a doctor (with the doctor’s provider number). There is no item number.
Do not confuse Teachers Federation Health Fund (based in Sydney) with Teachers Union Health (based in Brisbane).

Teachers Union Health
We have no information about this fund but believe they will not pay benefits on our orthotics.
Do not confuse Teachers Union Health (based in Brisbane) with Teachers Federation Health Fund (based in Sydney).

Transport Health
We have no information about this fund. Their web-site indicates they do pay a benefit for orthotics, but we don't know if there are any restrictions or conditions.

Westfund
They advised (03/05/10) that they will not pay benefits for our orthotics or any other pre-formed orthotics. They refused our request for a meeting. It is our understanding they are owned by HBF of Western Australia.

Government Agencies

AU - DVA - Department of Veteran Affairs
DVA have now bought our orthotics for several of their clients. Having been fitted by Step Forward, approach your DVA case worker with our print/quotation and request they pay for your orthotics. If approved, DVA will send us a written approval, upon which we will send you your orthotics and obtain payment directly from DVA. Remember, approval is at the discretion of DVA.

WA - Department of Health
A pair was requested by a hospital podiatrist, resulting in an official purchase order being raised by the Department of Health (02/09/09).

WorkCover (or similar)
We have had no formal discussions with any of the state-based WorkCover or other worker compensation schemes. We regret that it is unlikely that you will be able to get any assistance from these agencies in the purchase of your Step Forward orthotics.

Transport Accident Commission (or similar)
We have had no formal discussions with any of the state-based transport or motor agencies. We regret that it is unlikely that you will be able to get any assistance from these agencies in the purchase of your Step Forward orthotics.

Other Sources

Employers
We have a growing number of employers who have purchased Step Forward Orthotics for their employees, as they recognise this not only as a benefit to the employee but also to the productivity and morale of their work force. Reduction of lost days alone make this an attractive program. We recommend you approach your employer with such a request.

Social & Community Groups
We can make an interesting and educational presentation to your group, followed by a personal fitting and test walk on our orthotics. This can be structured as a fund-raiser that benefits not just the individuals but also the entire group. It is suitable for Social clubs (office, church, factory, etc), community groups (Rotary, Lions, Probus, etc), institutions (schools, kindergartens, retirement villages, military, etc), sports clubs (football, gymnasiums, tennis, cricket, athletics, etc) and private groups (neighbourhood walking clubs, etc). Contact our national office on Freecall 1800 000 566 for further information.

Salvation Army
We understand that the Salvation Army has paid for Step Forward Orthotics to assist certain individuals involved in their work placement program. This is similar to them paying for work boots and other aids. However, we don’t have any documentary evidence of this yet, nor do we suggest you have any expectations in this area.

WorkCover (or similar) We have had no formal discussions with any of the state-based WorkCover or other worker compensation schemes. We regret that it is unlikely that you will be able to get any assistance from these agencies in the purchase of your Step Forward orthotics.

Transport Accident Commission (or similar) We have had no formal discussions with any of the state-based transport or motor agencies. We regret that it is unlikely that you will be able to get any assistance from these agencies in the purchase of your Step Forward orthotics.

WorkCover (or similar)
We have had no formal discussions with any of the state-based WorkCover or other worker compensation schemes. We regret that it is unlikely that you will be able to get any assistance from these agencies in the purchase of your Step Forward orthotics.

Transport Accident Commission (or similar)
We have had no formal discussions with any of the state-based transport or motor agencies. We regret that it is unlikely that you will be able to get any assistance from these agencies in the purchase of your Step Forward orthotics.