Things to know
Coverage and rebates
A little help with the cost? Yes, please. Many medical compression garments may be claimable on private health insurance extras cover.
Here's what to check, from your cover and doctor's letter to the paperwork for your claim. No insurance jargon required.
You may be able to, if you have extras cover that includes them. Compression is usually only covered on mid or top level extras, and your fund may tuck it under a different name:
- Health aids and appliances
- Surgical or compression stockings
- Pressure garments
- Artificial aids
Have a look in your fund's app or website for those terms. These links are a handy place to start.
| Health fund | Where to check |
|---|---|
| Bupa | Health aids and appliances |
| Medibank | How to claim health appliances |
| ahm | Visit ahm |
| HCF | Visit HCF |
| nib | Visit nib |
| HBF | Visit HBF |
| Australian Unity | Health insurance |
| GMHBA | Visit GMHBA |
| CBHS | Visit CBHS |
| Defence Health | Visit Defence Health |
| Teachers Health | Compression garments |
| Health Partners | Aids and appliances |
| HCi | Medical eligibility for extras |
Fund not listed? Search your fund's website for "aids and appliances" or "compression".
Some funds only pay rebates on garments bought from suppliers they've approved. Our recognised supplier details will go below, and our provider number will be printed on every invoice.
| Health fund | Our provider number |
|---|---|
| Bupa | [Provider number] |
| HCF | [Provider number] |
| nib, including Qantas Insurance, APIA, AAMI, Suncorp, ING, Priceline, Real and Seniors | [Provider number] |
| HBF | [Provider number] |
Other funds, including Medibank, ahm, Teachers Health, UniHealth, Nurses & Midwives Health and Health Partners, generally don't require suppliers to be registered. Your policy and the garment still need to meet their claiming rules.
Most health funds need proof from your doctor that your compression garment is medically necessary before they'll pay a rebate. This is usually a letter from your GP or specialist. Some funds also accept a letter from a physiotherapist or occupational therapist for certain garments.
It's best to get your letter before you buy. One less thing to chase up later!
Ask your doctor for a letter on their letterhead that includes:
- Your full name
- Your condition, such as varicose veins, lymphoedema, lipedema or recovery after surgery
- The garment recommended, such as thigh-high stockings or leggings
- The compression class or mmHg
- Confirmation that the garment is medically necessary
- Their name, provider number, signature and the date
Funds can reject letters that are too vague, so it's worth showing your doctor this list.
Some funds, such as Teachers Health and HCi, have their own form for your doctor to complete instead of a letter. Check your fund's website or app before your appointment, and take their form along if they have one.
It depends on your fund. Some accept a letter for several years, while others need one dated within the last 12 months. Check with yours so you know when you'll need a new one.
Look for the Claimable badge on our product pages. These will identify medical-grade garments listed with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which is what most funds require.
Placeholder: Claimable badges to be added to eligible product pages.
Funds generally don't cover sports, travel or fashion compression. Some cover pregnancy compression garments, but many don't, so check with yours first.
It depends on your policy. Most funds pay a percentage of the price, up to an annual limit, and some have a separate, lower limit just for compression garments.
We can't tell you what your rebate will be, but your fund can. Check your remaining limits in its app or website before you buy, so there are no surprises.
Usually, yes. These are the two things to check:
- Waiting periods: if you've recently joined your fund or upgraded your cover, you may need to wait up to 12 months before you can claim.
- How often you can claim: funds limit how many garments you can claim, and how often. Some allow several pairs a year, while others only allow a replacement every few years.
If you replace your garments regularly, check your fund's limits so you know which purchases you can claim.
We'll email you an itemised tax invoice with the details your fund needs:
- Our business name, ABN, provider number, address and phone number
- The name of the person who'll wear the garment
- The date of purchase
- A description of each garment, including its compression class
- The price of each item, with postage listed separately (funds generally don't pay for postage)
Placeholder: invoice template and business details to be set up.
If your fund needs particular wording, just ask and we'll do our best.
Because we're an online store, you pay for your order in full, then claim your rebate from your fund.
- Check your cover includes compression garments.
- Get your doctor's letter or your fund's form completed.
- Place your order, entering the wearer's name in the Patient's name field at checkout.
- Download your invoice from your order email or My Account.
- Submit your invoice and doctor's letter through your fund's app or website.
Placeholder instructions: Patient's name at checkout, emailed invoices and My Account invoice downloads to be set up.
Most funds need you to claim within 2 years of purchase, but check your fund's deadline. It's best to claim as soon as your order arrives.
Yes. Just enter the wearer's name in the "Patient's name" field at checkout, so the invoice is in their name. The wearer must be covered on the health insurance policy you're claiming from, and the doctor's letter must be in their name too.
Placeholder: Patient's name field and invoice naming to be set up.
Possibly. You usually can't claim the same garment from your health fund and another scheme, so check which option gives you the most help.
- NDIS, self-managed or plan-managed
- Check the garment is approved under your plan before buying. If eligible, you can claim through the my NDIS portal or send your invoice to your plan manager.
- Support at Home (aged care)
- Talk to your provider before you buy. They may pay for your garments or reimburse you.
- An accepted workers' compensation claim
- Check approval with your insurer first, then keep your invoice to submit for reimbursement.
- DVA Gold Card or White Card
- Ask your GP or physio about your eligibility. They can arrange eligible garments through a DVA supplier.
- A lymphoedema diagnosis
- Ask your lymphoedema therapist about your state's garment scheme before you buy. Most schemes won't reimburse garments you've already bought.
A quick check now can save a lot of back-and-forth later. Here's your handy list:
- Does my extras cover include compression garments or stockings, and under which category?
- Is this garment eligible, and do you require an approved supplier?
- How much will I get back, and how much of my annual limit is left?
- Do I need a doctor's letter or your own form? Who can sign it, and how long is it valid?
- Have I finished my waiting period?
- How many garments can I claim, and how often?
You're not on your own with the paperwork. Get in touch with your fund's name and the garment you're interested in, and we'll help with the product details you need to check your cover.
Your health fund or plan manager has the final say on your claim. For clinical advice or a prescription, chat with your treating health professional.
