About 4 million Australians suffer from back problems, according to the Australian Institute of Health of Welfare (2023). Learn ways you could use your Bupa health insurance cover to help manage back pain.
How Bupa can help you manage back pain
A sore back is no fun for anyone. You could be suffering from a sore neck, sports injury, or lower back stiffness. Or even a diagnosed medical condition related to back pain, such as sciatica or scoliosis.
Leaving back problems untreated can mean pain that makes daily life harder. With the right treatment, your situation could get a little more comfortable. Luckily, there’s a few ways you can use your Bupa health insurance cover to help manage back pain.
Using your cover to help manage back pain
Bupa has thousands of registered Members First providers across Australia. As a Bupa member, you may pay less on physiotherapy services when you visit a Members First provider.*
Physios can help you manage a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions in the body, including conditions related to back pain. They assess and treat your condition through various techniques such as hands-on treatment, movement and exercise.
You can check your cover for physio treatments on the myBupa app.
A GP can help direct you to the right treatment pathway if physiotherapy isn’t helping the pain go away.
If you’re looking for an online appointment, eligible^ Bupa health insurance members can access a Blua online doctor 24/7 to request a prescription, referral, or general medical advice, on demand.
For those who live in Sydney, you can visit our Seaforth Healthcare Centre.
Living with chronic back pain can have a negative effect on your mood and overall wellbeing. You may benefit from some support – see our expert-curated resources for navigating mental health.
Some other health providers who can help treat and manage your knee pain are:
Depending on your level of extras cover, you might be able to get money back when you see these providers. You can check your cover on the myBupa app.
Sometimes, when treatment doesn’t bring relief to your back pain, you might require surgery. Explore our going to hospital resources to help make your hospital experience as simple as possible.
After hospital, a rehabilitation (rehab) program can play a big role in your recovery. Eligible* customers can access rehab services at home the same as in hospital, at no extra cost, with Bupa. This may be helpful for you if you can’t travel or prefer the convenience of having rehab at home after your surgery.
To explore your rehab options, call Bupa’s Hip and Knee Support Line on 1800 817 632 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) or download the Rehab Choices brochure.
How to check what your policy covers
How you’re covered
We know understanding your health insurance is a lot to take in, as even a basic hospital or extras policy can cover hundreds of individual services.
You can see what's included under your policy on the myBupa app.
How to check your health insurance cover:
- Log in to your myBupa account.
- Select cover.
- See membership details, what you’re covered for, and who’s included in your policy.
- Download your policy statement as a PDF if you need.
Please contact us if you need more specific information about individual services, especially if you're going into hospital.
Explore your rehabilitation options after surgery
After hospital, a rehabilitation (rehab) program can play a big role in your recovery. Bupa's Rehab Choices program can help connect you to a provider near you, whether you plan to do rehab in a hospital, at home, or with a local physio.*
To explore your rehab options, call Bupa’s Hip and Knee Support Line on 1800 817 632 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) or download the Rehab Choices brochure.
More support options
Talk to a Bupa health coach to help manage your condition
If you're living with a long-term medical condition such as osteoarthritis or diabetes, need support to get back on track, or just want to find a healthier you, Bupa’s health coaching program is here to help. Get information or advice from a qualified nurse or dietitian at times that suit you.
Learn about Bupa health coaching
This program provides resources and health information as a guide only, not as a substitute for medical advice or a professional endorsement. If you think you have a medical emergency, call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Explore our going to hospital resources
Sometimes, when treatment doesn’t bring relief anymore, you might require surgery. Explore our going to hospital resources to help make your hospital experience as simple as possible.
Explore more resources on back pain
Back pain
Back pain usually affects the lower back, but it can occur anywhere along the spine. It can be short-term, lasting a few days or weeks, or, for some people, a long-term condition. Many people will have some form of back pain at some stage in their lives.
Taking control of chronic pain
For most of us, modern life isn’t designed with our backs, shoulders, and necks in mind. We might spend many hours sat at a desk, driving, or using devices that strain our upper body.
[Video] Stretches to ease aches and pains
For most of us, modern life isn’t designed with our backs, shoulders, and necks in mind. We might spend many hours sat at a desk, driving, or using devices that strain our upper body.
* Depending on your level of cover, for most services at our Members First extras providers covering dental, physiotherapy, chiropractic and podiatry consultations. Bupa has Members First providers for these services. Not available in all areas. Yearly limits, benefit claiming restrictions, waiting periods, fund and policy rules apply.
^ Waiting periods, fund and policy rules apply. For international members: 100% of the consultation fees will be covered for Blua online doctor appointments. Yearly limits apply to Essential Lite Visitors cover, but these limits will be waived (only in relation to Blua consultations) until further notice. For domestic eligible members: 100% of the consultation fees will be covered for Blua online doctor appointments and a yearly service limit of 3 or 6 appointments per person applies depending on the eligible extras product. Members will only be able to book general doctor appointments via Blua. Appointments with specialists cannot be booked via Blua. Members who are under 18 years old may need to attend the appointments with a parent or guardian. Available on all eligible extras and combined products that include Blua online doctor appointments. Service provided by third party partner. See blua.bupa.com.au for more details.
To book online doctor appointments once you've reached your yearly service limit, you'll need to book directly with another provider such as Doctors on Demand.
Members’ preferred language may not be available 24/7.
These resources are not intended to be a comprehensive list or to represent that Bupa endorses any specific health practitioner or program. Everyone’s health journey is individual and health outcomes can vary from person to person. These resources are also not intended to be a replacement for personalised and specific medical, healthcare or other professional advice. If you have any concerns about your health, see your doctor or other health professional.