About 4 million Australians suffer from back problems. (Australian Institute of Health of Welfare, 2023)
Musculoskeletal conditions
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
Visit a Members First physiotherapist (physio) for back pain treatment
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 shoulder 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.
Speak to your general practitioner (GP) if your back pain doesn’t improve or gets worse
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.
Visit other health providers who treat back pain
Some other health providers who can help treat and manage your back 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 for physio treatments on the myBupa app.
Consult with a mental health professional
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.
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:
1. Log in to your myBupa account.
2. Select cover.
3. See membership details, what you’re covered for, and who’s included in your policy.
4. Download your policy statement as a PDF if you need.
2. Select cover.
3. See membership details, what you’re covered for, and who’s included in your policy.
4. 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.
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.
5 key stretches to help relieve lower back 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.
*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.