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Writing WorkCover Treatment Plans & Progress Reports: A Guide for Acupuncturists
Medically Reviewed by Derek Doran, BHSc (Acupuncture) · AHPRA Registered · AACMA Member · Updated April 9, 2026
April 9, 202612 min readBy Derek Doran
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should a WorkCover acupuncture treatment plan include?
A compliant treatment plan should include the patient's accepted injury, TCM and biomedical assessment findings, treatment goals with measurable outcomes (e.g. VAS pain score, ROM), proposed number of sessions and frequency, the acupuncture techniques to be used, and expected milestones for review.
How often do I need to submit progress reports to the insurer?
Most WorkCover schemes require a progress report after the initial treatment block (typically 6–12 sessions) or when requesting approval for further sessions. Some insurers request interim reports at 4-week intervals. Always check your state scheme's specific requirements.
What outcome measures should acupuncturists use for WorkCover reporting?
Commonly accepted outcome measures include the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, range of motion (ROM) measurements, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for low back pain, DASH for upper limb injuries, and functional capacity assessments. Document these at baseline and at each review point.
Can I use TCM terminology in WorkCover reports?
You should use primarily biomedical terminology that insurers and GPs can understand. You may include TCM diagnosis as supplementary clinical reasoning (e.g. 'Qi and Blood stagnation consistent with myofascial restriction'), but the primary language should reference the accepted injury in standard medical terms.
When should I write a discharge summary for a WorkCover patient?
A discharge summary should be prepared when the patient has reached maximum therapeutic improvement, when treatment goals have been met, when the insurer declines further sessions, or when the patient is being transitioned to self-management. It should summarise all outcomes achieved relative to baseline measures.
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Derek Doran, BHSc (Acupuncture)
AHPRA Registered (CMR0002211465) · AACMA Member
Derek is the founder of MediChi and a registered acupuncturist with clinical expertise in integrating Western diagnoses with Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment protocols.
Clinically reviewed: April 9, 2026
