What Is a Chronic Condition and How Does a Chronic Condition Management Plan (CCMP) Work?

If you’ve been living with a long-term health condition, did you know you might be eligible for extra support through Medicare funded health services — including sessions with allied health professionals such as dietitians, physiotherapists, and more?

In 2025, Medicare renamed what was previously called a GP Management Plan (GPMP) or Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM) to the Chronic Condition Management Plan (CCMP). This plan is designed to help people with chronic conditions access coordinated, team-based care to support their health and wellbeing.

What Is a Chronic Condition?

A chronic condition is any long-term or ongoing medical condition that lasts (or is expected to last) six months or longer, or is terminal. These conditions often require ongoing management, lifestyle changes, and input from a range of healthcare professionals.

Examples of chronic conditions include:

• Type 2 diabetes

• Heart disease

• High blood pressure

• Obesity

• Chronic respiratory conditions (e.g. asthma, COPD)

• Coeliac Disease

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

• Arthritis

• Osteoporosis

• Chronic kidney disease

• Chronic pain or musculoskeletal issues

• Mental health conditions (e.g. anxiety, depression)

• Neurological conditions

• PCOS and Endometriosis

• Cancer

• And more

If you’re living with one of these conditions, you may benefit from working with a range of healthcare providers — not just your GP, to achieve a more holistic approach to managing your condition.

What Is a Chronic Condition Management Plan (CCMP)?

A CCMP is a personalised care plan created by your GP to help you manage your chronic condition with the support of other healthcare professionals. It helps coordinate your care and can include referrals for up to five Medicare-subsidised allied health sessions per calendar year. And given GP appointments can be quite short, you may be able to get longer appointments to discuss your issues with these other healthcare professionals.

These appointments can be used for:

• Dietitians

• Physiotherapists

• Exercise physiologists

• Podiatrists

• Occupational therapists

• Psychologists

• Speech pathologists

• And others

You can use the five sessions provided within 12 months with one type of provider or split them across several, depending on your needs. For example, someone with type 2 diabetes might see a dietitian for 4 sessions and a podiatrist for 1.

Who Is Eligible?

You may be eligible for a CCMP if:

• You have a chronic or complex condition that’s ongoing (6+ months), and

• Your GP determines that you would benefit from coordinated care involving at least one other health professional

There are no age limits, and you don’t need a Centrelink card or private health insurance.

How to Access Allied Health Support Under a CCMP

1. Book a long appointment with your GP
   Let them know you’d like to discuss a Chronic Condition Management Plan (CCMP). Your GP will review your medical history and ensure you’re eligible.

2. Work with your GP to create the plan
   This involves setting health goals and identifying which allied health services could help. You’ll also be asked to give consent to share information with other providers.

3. Get referrals to allied health professionals
   Your GP will write a specialist letter to the relevant providers, which specifies the number of eligible Medicare-subsidised appointments.

4. Book your appointments
   Once referred, you can contact the provider directly to book your sessions. Some dietitians, including myself, may offer equity pricing which means bulk-billed telehealth services for eligible clients — meaning no out-of-pocket cost, or with a small gap remaining after the Medicare rebate. This makes nutrition support more accessible for those who need it.

How Often Can I Use a CCMP?

• You can access up to 5 allied health sessions per calendar year (January to December).

• The plan is reviewed every 12 months, or more frequently if your health needs change.

• If you don’t use all five sessions in one year, they do not roll over — so it’s worth making the most of them.

• Your Medicare rebate is deposited to the bank account associated with your Medicare account typically within 24 hours if an eligible referral was provided at time of consult.

Why Use Your CCMP to See a Dietitian?

Many chronic conditions — like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and PCOS — can be better managed with professional nutrition support.

A dietitian can help you:

• Improve blood sugar or blood pressure control

• Help reduce systemic inflammation

• Achieve healthy weight goals (if appropriate)

• Reduce cholesterol through dietary changes

• Support gut health, balance your gut microbiome and manage food intolerances

• Increase your energy, confidence, and understanding of food cravings and choices

And with affordable telehealth sessions, this support is more accessible than ever — no matter where in Australia you live.

Take the Next Step Toward Better Health

If you’re living with a chronic condition, you don’t have to navigate it alone. With a Chronic Condition Management Plan, you can access expert allied health support tailored to your needs.

1. Ask your GP for a CCMP referral

2. Book your telehealth dietitian appointment

3. Start making meaningful, sustainable changes to your health

Book now or contact me to learn more about how I support clients across Australia living with chronic health conditions.