icare physio in Miranda, billed directly to your insurer

icare physiotherapy, handled end to end

icare is the NSW government insurer for the workers compensation scheme. Most claims are managed day to day by one of its scheme agents, and we treat icare NSW claims across all of them: EML, Allianz, Gallagher Bassett, QBE and DXC. Whichever agent holds your claim, the process at PACT is the same.

Andrew Ellis is a SIRA approved physiotherapist and PACT Physio and Rehab is an approved provider under SIRA (icare NSW). On an accepted claim, reasonably necessary treatment is billed directly to your insurer, so you have nothing to pay at the time of your appointment and no gap fee. We invoice the insurer on your behalf for all approved sessions.

We also handle the paperwork that keeps a claim moving: same day clinical reports, treatment requests and progress updates to your case manager. You can read more on our workers compensation physiotherapy hub.

Often you can start without waiting for approval

If you have an accepted NSW workers compensation claim, we can usually start your physiotherapy without waiting for further approval. Where your injury has not been treated by a physiotherapist before and treatment begins within three months of your injury, SIRA allows up to eight sessions before any further approval is needed.

That figure is not the same in every situation. If treatment starts more than three months after the injury, up to three consultations may be provided without pre approval, and a practitioner returning to an injury treated more than three months ago has one. Treatment must always be reasonably necessary and delivered by a SIRA approved practitioner.

Every claim is a little different, so we confirm your exact arrangement with your insurer or case manager before we begin. You are welcome to call us on (02) 8330 6776 and we will talk it through.

• Accepted icare NSW workers compensation claim
• Treatment begins within three months of the injury
• Injury not previously treated by a physio, chiro, osteo or accredited exercise physiologist
• Treatment is reasonably necessary and delivered by a SIRA approved practitioner
• Exact arrangement confirmed with your insurer or case manager

More sessions through an Allied Health Treatment Request

If you need treatment beyond the initial pre approved sessions, we submit an Allied Health Treatment Request, or AHTR, to your insurer. This is the SIRA form physiotherapists use to request approval for further treatment.

It sets out your current presentation, your progress, any barriers to recovery and the proposed plan, including the number of further sessions and the expected timeframe. The insurer decides on the request. Once it is approved, treatment continues with no cost to you, and we handle this paperwork for you so there is no gap in your care.

Working alongside your Certificate of Capacity

A Certificate of Capacity, also called a Certificate of Fitness, is the medical certificate completed by your nominated treating doctor in the NSW workers compensation system. It describes your injury, your current capacity for work and the treatment you need for a safe and durable recovery.

It is the main way your doctor communicates with the insurer, and it guides your injury management plan and your return to suitable work. We work alongside your treating doctor so our physiotherapy supports the plan set out in your certificate, and our reports give your doctor and case manager a clear picture of how you are progressing.

There is more detail on what the certificate covers on our Certificate of Capacity page.

Treated by a physiotherapist who knows the scheme

Andrew Ellis is the founder and principal physiotherapist at PACT, with extensive experience in workers compensation and occupational rehabilitation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, a Master of Physiotherapy, is completing an Executive MBA, and brings 16 years of experience across the SIRA NSW scheme.

Drawing on his background as a Senior Rehabilitation Consultant and Workplace Health and Safety Advisor, and on a history of giving injury management advice to insurers and employers, he works closely with case managers, doctors and employers to support a safe and sustainable return to work.

Care is hands on and evidence based, and where it helps your recovery we draw on dry needling, soft tissue release and exercise rehabilitation as part of your plan.

In Miranda or by telehealth across Australia

Our clinic is at Unit 1/196 Sylvania Road, Miranda, easy to reach from across the Sutherland Shire, and we are open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 9pm and on weekends 8:30am to 6pm. Same day appointments are often available, so you can be seen quickly after an injury.

Telehealth physiotherapy can be available under workers compensation but it is restricted. Per SIRA it must generally be provided in combination with in person services unless the insurer has pre approved treatment delivered exclusively by telehealth, must be by videoconference where available, and must be consented to by you, your physiotherapist and the insurer. We assess clinical appropriateness case by case and arrange any required insurer approval. You can read how virtual care works on our telehealth page.