Some Private Health Funds (like HIF, HCF, AHM, NIB, BUPA, Medibank, Westfund, RT Health, Health Partners, Teachers Health, Nurses Health and more) are now offering rebates for Yoga!
1. CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY
What you can claim may depend on your health condition, level of cover and policy limits.
TREATMENT ORIENTATED: Some Health Funds only offer rebates for Private Yoga Sessions (one-on-one) or specialized Group Yoga Therapy Sessions (max 8 people) that focus specifically on your health condition.
LIFESTYLE BENEFITS: Other Health Funds offer rebates for fitness-based activities, such as Yoga Classes of any size, if it generally supports the management or improvement of your health condition.
Please check with your Health Fund to see what you are eligible for.
2. GET A REFERRAL
Before attending Yoga, you will need to obtain a CLAIM FORM from your Health Fund.
You will need to consult with your Doctor or Allied Health Professional (this may include a General Practitioner, Psychologist, Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Osteopath, Dietician, Occupational Therapist, Exercise Physiologist or other specialist).
They will complete this form with you. They need to recommend Yoga as part of a health program that helps manage or improve your eligible health condition (such as obesity, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, back pain, musculoskeletal or orthopaedic conditions, arthritis, osteoporosis, mental health or other issues).
3. BOOK & ATTEND YOGA
You can book Private Yoga Sessions and Yoga classes at Viroga via our YOGA CLASSES pages.
4. GET A RECEIPT
After the Yoga Class or Private Yoga Session, the Yoga Provider (eg. Renee Jones – VIROGA) will email you a paid invoice or receipt that includes a Registration or Provider Number from either Yoga Australia, AUSactive, or from the Health Fund directly.
Please let your Yoga Provider know what details your Health Fund needs so your receipt is compliant.
5. SUBMIT YOUR CLAIM
Please submit the paid invoice or receipt to your Health Fund via their app or online portal. Your Health Fund will then assess your claim and rebate.
Please contact your Health Fund for more information.
SOME BACKGROUND INFO…
Yoga is a lifestyle practice involving postures, breathing techniques, focused awareness, and Meditation to cultivate physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. It is commonly known that practicing Yoga:
– improves flexibility and balance
– increases strength and tone
– helps manage stress
– enhances mental clarity and concentration
– promotes better sleep
– boosts self-awareness and self-esteem
– improves overall health and well-being
In 2024, The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Natural Therapies Review evaluated a range of studies to assess whether yoga is effective in preventing and/or treating certain injuries, diseases, medical conditions or pre-clinical conditions. The evidence showed, with moderate certainty, that Yoga also:
– reduces blood pressure in people with hypertensive heart disease
– reduces symptoms of depression in people with depression
– improves emotional wellbeing in people with anxiety
– improves health-related quality of life in people with low back pain
As a result of this review, the Federal Government reinstated Yoga as eligible for private health insurance benefits and some private Health Funds began offering rebates for Yoga. Many studies into the benefits of Yoga have recently become suitable for review and more are still being conducted. The list of evidence-based benefits for Yoga is expected to grow and grow!
CONTACT VIROGA YOGA
Email: virogayoga@gmail.com
Website: viroga.com.au
Phone: 04 91 81 01 61
Facebook: virogayogaspa
Instagram: virogayogaspa
40 Seaview St Brighton Qld 4017
