The federal government has announced expanded services under Medicare for people with type-two diabetes.
Group interventions by dieticians and exercise physiologists will be now be covered by Medicare for the around seven per cent of Australian adults who have type two
diabetes.
The Health Minister, Tony Abbott, says the government will expand the Medicare Allied Health Initiative to include group intervention services after referral by a doctor.
"One of our problems is that we have incredibly skilled, incredibly dedicated, in many cases very overworked doctors and while I don't say that there aren't heavy burdens on other health professionals as well, if we can make the most use of all of them, we are going to best help the Australian people when the have health problems."
The plan is expected to cost about $5 million a year and help about 20,000 people each year.