At CBHS we help you manage your health challenges. We believe in offering you the services, support and tools you need to live your best life.
Our Better Living Programs are available to support eligible members towards a healthier lifestyle. Each Better Living Program is subject to its own eligibility criteria.
Contact us for more information and to confirm your eligibility for a program.
Health and medical services in the safety of home
We can deliver an increasing number of health and medical services in your own home. While treatment at home was already on a growth journey, the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that the service offering has evolved even more rapidly.
Stay home, stay safe.
There's no place like home when you're feeling unwell or recovering from an illness or surgery. We know that. Services from home are also handy for those who are well, but time-poor and just can't fit in the travel time to more appointments. And of course, during COVID-19, there are times when we need to stay home for our own safety and that of others. Whatever support you need, whether it's physical or mental, we may have a home-based option for you.
What are the benefits of receiving care at home?
- Earlier discharge from hospital
- Treatment in familiar surroundings
- Reduced levels of stress
- No travel, no parking fees
- No time spent in waiting rooms
- Choice and flexibility
- Comfort and convenience
- Connection with family, friends and pets
- Rest and sleep in your own bed
- Less exposure to hospital-based infections
- Safety during COVID-19
I have had multiple operations, the last one being a shoulder replacement. I received physio and a health coach for six months. They have been amazing. I am very happy to belong to CBHS. – Lorna
Many chemotherapy treatments can be delivered safely at home and so can treatments for multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s and other diseases.
Chemo@home is Australia’s leading provider of home-based infusion services and one of our recognised providers. Their highly-trained specialist nurses can administer over 140 different infusion treatments. They know that patients undergoing chemotherapy are immunocompromised, so they always take extra precautions to protect you, and your families.
We also have an arrangement with National Home Nurse (previously MOHIS), which is a national service, largely based on Australia’s East Coast.
Before undergoing any chemotherapy at home, your doctor will need to confirm your suitability for treatment.
Some chemotherapy and some immunotherapies are covered under CBHS Hospital cover. Call our Wellness Team on 1300 174 534 or email wellness@cbhs.com.au to find out more.
Specialist wound care nurses can dress wounds including those needing vacuum-assisted closure (negative pressure wound therapy), manage drains, deliver IV antibiotics, manage medications and develop treatment plans, all from the comfort of your own home.
By arranging care for complex or chronic wounds at home we can shorten your hospital stay, or sometimes help you avoid it altogether.
Contact our health and wellness team to find out more at wellness@cbhs.com.au or on 1300 174 534.
Care at home
Early mental health intervention at home may help to prevent a hospital admission. Or, the right help at home can help shorten a hospital stay. You can access specialised mental health nurses who are trained to help with acute or chronic mental health conditions. They can visit you at home to offer psychological support, help with medications. They can also provide phone or video consultations.
If you’re eligible for mental health care at home, you’ll also have access to 24-hour phone support. Call 1300 654 123 and ask to speak to our Health and Wellness team.
If you need immediate help, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
If you become terminally ill, we understand that you might prefer to be at home and close to loved ones whenever possible. Palliative care nurses can help you and your family by monitoring and managing pain, administering medication and helping with personal care such as bathing and dressing.
Palliative care nurses work to preserve dignity and choice in end of life care. They are experienced in dealing with grief, fear and anxiety.
The better prepared you are for surgery, the faster and more successful your rehabilitation is likely to be.
We offer ‘pre-habilitation’ programs for members facing elective surgery such as joint replacements. The service can include nursing support, physiotherapy, pain management, sleep hygiene, nutrition and self-care, so when you do go into surgery, you’ll be as ready as you can be − and more likely to make a good recovery afterwards.
There are no out-of-pocket expenses for members with an appropriate level of Hospital cover.
Rehabilitation is vital after a major surgical procedure like a joint replacement, or a major event such as a stroke.
Physiotherapists can deliver personalised exercise programs that help you leave hospital sooner and recover at home. They can help you work towards regaining your strength, balance and mobility and help you manage or prevent fatigue, pain, and muscle stiffness.
Occupational therapists can assess and reduce any risks in your home. They can organise and deliver any aids you might need and help you return to normal daily living.
Health professionals are able to come out to your home. Or, if you’re self-isolating we can deliver telehealth rehab programs that run remotely, for six to eight weeks. These programs include welfare checks and mental health support.
Read more about recovery and rehabilitation support.If it’s appropriate as part of your Hospital Substitute Treatment program, we can arrange for someone to help with showering, dressing, cleaning and light domestic duties while you concentrate on getting better.
We can also arrange to have meals prepared or delivered to you if you’ve just left hospital and you’re not able to prepare meals for yourself.
Most of these services incur no out-of-pocket expenses if you hold CBHS Hospital cover. Call our Health and Wellness team on 1300 174 534 or email wellness@cbhs.com.au for more details on any of the above services.
Telehealth
Telehealth has become even more relevant during the COVID-19 global pandemic. By not physically going into a doctor’s surgery when we don’t need to, we can help keep ourselves and others safe. A telehealth consultation usually takes place in your own home, by phone or video link.
You can use any approved provider who is set up for telehealth with the following services:
- Exercise physiology
- Physiotherapy
- Dietetics
- Psychology
- Speech pathology
- Podiatry
- Occupational therapy
If your usual provider doesn’t offer telehealth, you could try our provider Valion Health. They offer several allied health services via telehealth for daytime consultations or at evenings and weekends.
It doesn’t matter if you’re not an existing patient. You can make a new appointment with any recognised provider who is using telehealth or digital delivery.
Treatments by telehealth are covered under selected CBHS Extras cover, up to your usual limits. Call Member Care on 1300 654 123 or email help@cbhs.com.au to find out more.
Pregnancy and birth education
You can access antenatal and postnatal classes online through organisations such as Birth Beat and Nourish Baby.
Birth Beat’s classes are delivered by a registered midwife. The online antenatal program relies on evidence-based, non-biased, up-to-date information, and the classes are relaxed but professional.
Birth Beat also has free resources on its website, and a three-minute video that explains how their services work.
Nourish Baby offers a range of online course modules including pregnancy health, labour and birth and feeding. Or, you can purchase the video modules as a bundle. Modules are also available in Arabic, Mandarin and Vietnamese languages as subtitles or with English subtitles for those who are hearing impaired.
Nutrition and weight management
You can book dietetic sessions via telehealth (see section above). Or, if you’re looking for something more holistic, you might like to consider an online program like the 12-week CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet or our Better Living Digital Wellness 24-week program.
The Digital Wellness team supports CBHS members with high BMI (body mass index) or chronic disease to manage their weight and improve their health. The program includes 24 weeks of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet and one-to-one dietetic sessions via video or phone among much more.
Important note on COVID-19
Let’s stay safe and keep others safe too. If you’re having any treatment at home during the COVID-19 crisis, make sure you abide by the Federal Government’s advice. Always tell your nurse or health professional if you are self-isolating or if you’ve had close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus.
All information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only. The information provided should not be relied upon as medical advice and does not supersede or replace a consultation with a suitably qualified healthcare professional