4.5.29.1 Hand Therapy
Hand therapists are occupational therapists or physiotherapists who have specific experience in treating hand and upper limb injury or illness.
WorkSafe will only pay for hand therapy services by providers who:
- are registered with WorkSafe to provide services as both a hand therapist and occupational therapist or physiotherapist Registered physiotherapist means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the physiotherapy profession (other than as a student)..
- hold and maintain registration with the Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy is a client-centred health profession concerned with promoting health and well being through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by working with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to or are expected to do or by modifying the occupation or the environment to better support their occupational engagement. Board of Australia or Physiotherapy Board of Australia with no restrictions on practice.
- hold and maintain the credential of Accredited Hand Therapist by the Australian Hand Therapy Association Credentialing Council.
- sign a declaration committing to provide hand therapy services in line with the Clinical Framework and related Service Standards.
See: Hand Therapy Services application form
Policy
The policy provides guidelines for hand therapy services.
See: Policy for Hand Therapy Services
The policy provides guidelines about:
- what costs will be paid for
- what costs will not be paid for
- who can provide hand therapy services
- service standards
- reporting requirements of hand therapists
- referral requirements.
Fee Schedule
WorkSafe publish a fee schedule for the maximum amounts that it will pay for a range of hand therapy categories.
See: Occupational Therapy Services Fee Schedule | Physiotherapy Services Fee Schedule | EIPF Physiotherapy Services Fee Schedule | Cost of Services