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Health and Wellness Programs are available to support eligible members towards a healthier lifestyle. Each Health and Wellness Program is subject to its own eligibility criteria.
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Natural therapies are back – adding more value to your Extras
If you’ve ever wished you could claim for things like naturopathy, yoga, or Pilates – this article is for you. CBHS Extras covers are getting some exciting updates, and we’re pleased to share the good news with our members.
From 1 April 2026, we’re adding selected natural therapy benefits to eligible CBHS Extras covers, following changes to the private health insurance rules that allow health funds to offer cover for certain natural therapies.
This means more flexibility, more choice, and more ways to support your health.
Which benefits are coming back?
We’re bringing back six natural therapies, across Massage therapies, Oriental & natural therapies, and Health management programs.
Members with eligible Extras cover will be able to unlock these additional benefits from 1 April 2026. There are no changes to overall limits.
Massage therapies
- Alexander technique
Oriental & natural therapies
- Naturopathy
- Shiatsu
- Western herbal medicine
Health management programs
- Pilates
- Yoga
Why were natural therapies removed in the first place?
Back in 2019, the Australian Government completed a Natural Therapies Review. This assessed whether certain therapies had enough clinical evidence to continue receiving private health insurance rebates. As a result, benefits for a range of natural therapies were removed across the entire industry.
More recently, the Government commissioned a new independent review of the clinical effectiveness. In leading the review, Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd AO, was satisfied there was enough evidence these therapies are effective to allow private health insurance to pay benefits for them. This gave health funds the option to reintroduce benefits for the selected natural therapies that met the required evidence standards.
We listened to member feedback, reviewed the updated evidence, and decided to reintroduce six natural therapies to our Extras cover.
Why this matters for our members
Health isn’t one-size-fits-all. Many people take a holistic approach, combining conventional healthcare with complementary therapies that support physical movement, stress management, and overall wellbeing.
Bringing natural therapies back:
- gives you more choice in how you use your Extras
- supports preventative and holistic approaches to health
- helps you get more value from your cover
- reflects what members have told us matters to them.
How to start using these benefits
Firstly, check if your Extras or packaged cover is eligible for these benefits. The handy table above shows which covers the new benefits apply to. You can check what type cover you have in the CBHS app or Member Centre.
You can claim on the spot for massage therapies and Oriental & natural therapies if your provider has HICAPS or iSOFT. Simply present your CBHS membership card and your benefit will be automatically deducted from the total service fee.
You can also submit claims online for these services using the CBHS app or by logging in to the Member Centre. You’ll need:
- an item number or service description
- a provider number that’s recognised by CBHS.
Pilates and yoga are covered under your health management limit, separate from your gym and personal training benefits – so you can make the most of both!
To claim, make sure they’re:
- part of a health management program
- certified by your medical practitioner or a recognised provider
- supported by a completed Health management program authorisation form.
As always, these benefits are subject to your level of cover and overall and available limits at time of service.
Thinking about upgrading or adding Extras to your cover?
Now is a good time to add CBHS Extras, or upgrade your cover to make the most of these additional benefits.
If you’d like to talk through your cover or understand how these changes apply to you, our Member Services team is here to help. Call us on 1300 654 123 or email help@cbhs.com.au.
You can also explore our Extras covers online to see what’s available.
More information and useful links
- Log in to the Member Centre to check your available Extras limits
- Read more on the Federal Government’s Natural Therapies Review.
Sources:
https://www.health.gov.au/topics/private-health-insurance/reforms/natural-therapies-review
https://www.cbhs.com.au/tools-and-support/find-a-provider/recognised-providers
Benefits for natural therapies are only available on eligible CBHS Extras covers from 1 April 2026 and are subject to your level of cover, applicable waiting periods, available limits, claiming rules and provider recognition requirements at the time of service. Pilates and yoga are only claimable where the applicable health management program requirements are met, including any required certification and completed forms. Before claiming, adding or upgrading cover, check your cover details and conditions in the CBHS app, Member Centre or by contacting CBHS.