Alternative therapy providers – frequently asked questions

The ARHG alternative therapy database is a list of alternative therapy providers that meet a set of accreditation standards. It is a resource used by 31 health funds to inform them whether alternative therapy providers are appropriately trained and qualified to provide services to their health fund members. The health funds use the database, in conjunction with the wording of the fund member’s policy, to determine if claims for alternative therapy services can be paid.

Alternative therapy associations have registered for accreditation with ARHG. Each month, the accredited associations provide ARHG with a list of their member providers that meet ARHG’s accreditation standards.  This list is uploaded directly into the ARHG database each month.

To become a registered provider with ARHG you must be a member of an ARHG accredited association, and you must meet the ARHG accreditation criteria. For further information, please refer to your association.

• Acupuncture – the stimulation of specific points on the skin, usually by the insertion of needles.
• Chinese herbal medicine – treatment based on the concepts of yin and yang and of Qi energy. Chinese herbs are ascribed qualities such as ‘cooling’ (yin) or ‘stimulating (yang) and used, often in combination, according to the deficiencies or excesses of these qualities in the patient.
• Counselling – Professional counselling is a safe and confidential collaboration between qualified counsellors and clients to promote mental health and wellbeing, enhance self-understanding, and resolve identified concerns. Counsellors must be registered with either the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
• Massage therapy – the manipulation of the soft tissue of whole body areas to bring about generalised improvements in health, such as relaxation or improved sleep, or specific physical benefits, such as relief of muscular aches and pains.
• Myotherapy – the treatment of myofascial pain, injury and dysfunction affecting movement and mobility.
• Nutrition – Nutritional medicine is based on the traditions of food as medicine and dietary planning. It combines these disciplines with scientific advances in the treatment, management and prevention of disease using food and nutrient as therapeutics.
• Remedial therapy – the systematic assessment and treatment of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissues of the body to assist in rehabilitation, and pain and injury management. It is performed to create favourable conditions for the body to return to normal health after injury, and is defined by the premise that the treatment can reasonably reverse certain physical effects a patient presents with.

Please click here to see a list of alternative therapy associations accredited with ARHG.

Please click here to see the list of health funds that use the alternative therapy database.

Contact your professional association to find out if you are a registered provider with ARHG. Your association will also advise you of your ARHG provider number.

Contact your professional association to find our your ARHG provider number.

Not all ARHG recognised therapies are covered by all health funds. For further information, contact the relevant health fund directly.

Yes. Provided your patient is entitled to claim benefits for your services, including your ARHG provider number on their receipt will help ensure prompt payment.

No. ARHG uses the same provider number for all of your practice addresses.

Changes to your provider details need to be made with your professional association. Your association will pass these details on to ARHG with their monthly listing. ARHG does not amend provider details directly but will make changes upon notification from the association.

Contact HICAPS or the health fund directly if you are experiencing problems processing payments through the HICAPS machine. ARHG does not have any involvement with HICAPS.

To find out why your client’s claim has been rejected:

• contact your professional association to confirm you are still a registered provider with ARHG.
• contact the health fund directly to confirm your provider status with them. You will need your ARHG provider number to hand before contacting the health fund.
• advise your patient to check whether their policy covers them for the services you provide.

Some health funds may choose to pay benefits for services not recognised by ARHG. In order to register for these other services, you will need to contact the health fund(s) concerned.