2.1 million people in Australia have osteoarthritis – the most common form of arthritis in Australia.
(Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023)
Musculoskeletal conditions
How Bupa can help you manage osteoarthritis
Stiffness or pain in the joints is more common than you think. But that doesn't mean you have to live with it. Getting treatment for osteoarthritis can improve your wellbeing and mental health.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition where the cartilage covering your joints breaks down, causing pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced movement. There is no cure for osteoarthritis but there are ways to manage your symptoms effectively.
If you have Bupa health insurance, there are several ways we can help.
Using your cover to help manage osteoarthritis
Speak to your general practitioner (GP) if your osteoarthritis 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 a Members First physiotherapist (physio) for osteoarthritis 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.
Talk to a Bupa health professional 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.
Call 1300 030 238 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) to speak with our team of nurses and dietitians about your health goals or to register for a call back.
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 Bupa’s osteoarthritis health programs
Get exercise plans with Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight For Life (OAHWFL)
This weight loss and exercise program may help to reduce pressure on the joints to avoid or delay the need for hip or knee replacement surgery.
Eligible customers† can get tailored plans for healthy eating, exercise, and phone or online coaching.
Manage arthritis with GLAD
(GLA:D®, Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark)
The GLA:D® (Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark) is a physiotherapist-led education and exercise therapy program designed to help manage the symptoms of hip and knee osteoarthritis.
The 8-week program is funded for eligible Bupa customers.#
Explore Kieser Osteoarthritis Plans to prevent or delay surgery
The Kieser Osteoarthritis Hip & Knee Care Program provides supervised training sessions with physiotherapists and exercise physiologists. The program helps increase strength and mobility and reduce osteoarthritis pain.
The 12-week program is funded for eligible Bupa customers.#
Explore more resources on osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis: Signs, symptoms and treatment
Osteoarthritis (otherwise known as the wear-and-tear arthritis) is a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and stiffness in your joints and is the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the joints in your knee (as well as the hands, hips and spine).
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*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.
^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, benefit claiming restrictions, yearly limits, policy and fund rules apply. Prima Health Solutions is the provider of the Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight for Life program, and admission into the program is also subject to the provider’s terms and conditions. You are encouraged to call Bupa’s Hip and Knee Support Line (1800 817 632 Monday to Friday, 9am –5pm AEST/AEDT) to check your eligibility.
#The customer must have a Bupa domestic hospital product that includes joint replacements. Waiting periods, fund, policy and program eligibility rules apply. Check what you’re covered for or contact us.