Yoga, Pilates and other natural therapies return to Extras Cover 

Australians treated with natural therapies may soon be able to claim rebates on Extras Cover. 

Following a review completed last year, the government has reinstated 7 of the 16 natural therapies that were removed from private health insurance cover in 2019.  

The health insurance industry is now developing framework to cover: 

• Yoga 

• Pilates 

• Tai chi 

• Naturopathy 

• Shiatsu 

• Western herbal medicine 

• Alexander technique. 

Private Healthcare Australia, the peak body for health insurers, said it expects Australians will be able to claim for these 7 natural therapies in early 2026.  

Insurers can choose whether or not to include these treatments on Extras Cover policies, and rebates will only be available when these therapies are used to treat health conditions and not used just for fitness.  

“We are working proactively with professional associations to create a proper framework around how these treatments can be provided and rebated and are looking forward to continuing this work to ensure professional associations provide the necessary accreditation processes for providers,” said Private Healthcare Australia CEO Dr Rachel David.  

Trudie McConnochie

Writer and Researcher

Knowledge is power – that’s the guiding principle behind everything Trudie writes, and it’s a philosophy she brings to her work at healthslips.com.au. By breaking down complex information into easy-to-understand blogs and stories, she aims to empower Australians to make the best choices and an informed decision around private health insurance.

Trudie understands firsthand some of the complexity of private health insurance having moved to Australia from New Zealand and having to navigate a vastly different public healthcare system and health insurance structure.

Trudie holds a Bachelor of Communication Studies (journalism major) from the Auckland University of Technology.

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