Diabetes Management Exercise Classes
Exercise for type 2 diabetes — one of the most evidence-based interventions available
Exercise is one of the most effective and evidence-based treatments for type 2 diabetes and metabolic conditions. The evidence is unambiguous — regular structured exercise improves blood glucose control, enhances insulin sensitivity, reduces cardiovascular risk, improves body composition and reduces the long-term complications of diabetes more reliably than most pharmaceutical interventions for many patients. For people with type 2 diabetes, exercise is not optional — it is central to optimal management.
At Articulate Physiotherapy in Tarragindi, our Accredited Exercise Physiologist Ash O'Regan delivers structured, evidence-based diabetes management exercise classes in a safe, supervised clinical environment. Classes are small, individually tailored and led by a university-qualified exercise physiology professional with specific training in chronic disease management.
Why exercise is so important for type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is characterised by insulin resistance — the body's cells fail to respond normally to insulin, requiring progressively higher insulin levels to maintain blood glucose control, until eventually the pancreas cannot keep pace and blood glucose rises. Exercise directly addresses insulin resistance through multiple mechanisms — muscle contraction during exercise allows glucose uptake independent of insulin, and regular training increases the density of GLUT4 glucose transporters in muscle cells, improving insulin sensitivity for hours to days after each session.
Both aerobic exercise and resistance training are effective, and the combination produces better outcomes than either alone. Resistance training — building muscle mass — is particularly important because skeletal muscle is the primary site of insulin-mediated glucose disposal. More muscle means a larger glucose sink and better metabolic control. The combination of aerobic and resistance training that our diabetes exercise classes provide is specifically designed to address both of these mechanisms.
Who is eligible for Medicare-funded diabetes exercise classes?
If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be eligible for Medicare-funded group services, including the assessment under item 81110 and up to 8 group sessions under item 81115 per calendar year. To access Medicare-funded group exercise physiology services you need a referral from your GP confirming your type 2 diabetes diagnosis. This is separate from the GPCCMP pathway — it is a specific Medicare item for group diabetes services that does not require a full chronic condition management plan.
It is worth asking your GP specifically about MBS items 81110 and 81115 when discussing diabetes management — many patients are unaware these funded group exercise sessions exist.
What does the program involve?
The program begins with an initial 45-minute one-on-one assessment with Ash, establishing your baseline fitness, strength, balance and glucose management, identifying any exercise precautions or contraindications, and designing your individual exercise targets within the group setting. This assessment is a Medicare item (81110) in its own right.
The group exercise classes are one hour each, with a maximum of eight participants per class — small enough that Ash can provide individual attention and modification throughout the session. Each class combines aerobic exercise and progressive resistance training in proportions calibrated to the evidence base for type 2 diabetes management. You will work at an intensity appropriate to your current fitness level, with progressions built in across the eight-session block as your capacity improves.
Blood glucose monitoring before and after exercise is incorporated into the program for participants who monitor their glucose, and Ash provides education on recognising hypoglycaemia during exercise, pre-exercise nutrition strategies and how to adjust your exercise on high or low glucose days.
Exercise is one of the most effective and evidence-based treatments for type 2 diabetes and metabolic conditions. The evidence is unambiguous — regular structured exercise improves blood glucose control, enhances insulin sensitivity, reduces cardiovascular risk, improves body composition and reduces the long-term complications of diabetes more reliably than most pharmaceutical interventions for many patients. For people with type 2 diabetes, exercise is not optional — it is central to optimal management.
At Articulate Physiotherapy in Tarragindi, our Accredited Exercise Physiologist Ash O'Regan delivers structured, evidence-based diabetes management exercise classes in a safe, supervised clinical environment. Classes are small, individually tailored and led by a university-qualified exercise physiology professional with specific training in chronic disease management.
Why exercise is so important for type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is characterised by insulin resistance — the body's cells fail to respond normally to insulin, requiring progressively higher insulin levels to maintain blood glucose control, until eventually the pancreas cannot keep pace and blood glucose rises. Exercise directly addresses insulin resistance through multiple mechanisms — muscle contraction during exercise allows glucose uptake independent of insulin, and regular training increases the density of GLUT4 glucose transporters in muscle cells, improving insulin sensitivity for hours to days after each session.
Both aerobic exercise and resistance training are effective, and the combination produces better outcomes than either alone. Resistance training — building muscle mass — is particularly important because skeletal muscle is the primary site of insulin-mediated glucose disposal. More muscle means a larger glucose sink and better metabolic control. The combination of aerobic and resistance training that our diabetes exercise classes provide is specifically designed to address both of these mechanisms.
Who is eligible for Medicare-funded diabetes exercise classes?
If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be eligible for Medicare-funded group services, including the assessment under item 81110 and up to 8 group sessions under item 81115 per calendar year. To access Medicare-funded group exercise physiology services you need a referral from your GP confirming your type 2 diabetes diagnosis. This is separate from the GPCCMP pathway — it is a specific Medicare item for group diabetes services that does not require a full chronic condition management plan.
It is worth asking your GP specifically about MBS items 81110 and 81115 when discussing diabetes management — many patients are unaware these funded group exercise sessions exist.
What does the program involve?
The program begins with an initial 45-minute one-on-one assessment with Ash, establishing your baseline fitness, strength, balance and glucose management, identifying any exercise precautions or contraindications, and designing your individual exercise targets within the group setting. This assessment is a Medicare item (81110) in its own right.
The group exercise classes are one hour each, with a maximum of eight participants per class — small enough that Ash can provide individual attention and modification throughout the session. Each class combines aerobic exercise and progressive resistance training in proportions calibrated to the evidence base for type 2 diabetes management. You will work at an intensity appropriate to your current fitness level, with progressions built in across the eight-session block as your capacity improves.
Blood glucose monitoring before and after exercise is incorporated into the program for participants who monitor their glucose, and Ash provides education on recognising hypoglycaemia during exercise, pre-exercise nutrition strategies and how to adjust your exercise on high or low glucose days.
Information on Medicare Claiming
Under Medicare’s Group Allied Health Services for Type 2 Diabetes, eligible patients can access:
1. Initial Assessment – Medicare Item 81110A 45-minute individual assessment with an Accredited Exercise Physiologist to determine suitability for group exercise.
2. Group Exercise Physiology Sessions – Medicare Item 81115
Up to 8 group exercise sessions per calendar year, delivered in small groups.
Beyond the diabetes exercise classes
For patients whose diabetes management requires more than group exercise — including those with significant comorbidities, severe deconditioning or complex medication regimens — individual exercise physiology sessions through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) may be more appropriate alongside or instead of the group program. Speak with your GP about the most appropriate pathway for your situation.
Clinical Pilates and our Balance and Bones exercise classes are also available for patients managing diabetes alongside other conditions such as osteoporosis, balance impairment or musculoskeletal pain.
Our Accredited Exercise Physiologist Ash O'Regan is a member of Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). For further information about diabetes management, visit Diabetes Australia.
To book or find out more, call us on 07 3706 3407, email [email protected] or book online below. We see patients from across Brisbane's southside including Tarragindi, Coorparoo, Holland Park, Greenslopes and Mt Gravatt.
Under Medicare’s Group Allied Health Services for Type 2 Diabetes, eligible patients can access:
1. Initial Assessment – Medicare Item 81110A 45-minute individual assessment with an Accredited Exercise Physiologist to determine suitability for group exercise.
- Claimable once per calendar year
- Requires GP referral under a Chronic Condition Management Plan
- Fee: $93.25 Benefit: 85% = $79.30
2. Group Exercise Physiology Sessions – Medicare Item 81115
Up to 8 group exercise sessions per calendar year, delivered in small groups.
- 60-minute supervised sessions
- Medicare rebate available per session
- Structured diabetes-specific education and exercise
- Progress report provided to your GP after program completion
- Fee per class: $23.20 Benefit per class: 85% = $19.75
Beyond the diabetes exercise classes
For patients whose diabetes management requires more than group exercise — including those with significant comorbidities, severe deconditioning or complex medication regimens — individual exercise physiology sessions through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) may be more appropriate alongside or instead of the group program. Speak with your GP about the most appropriate pathway for your situation.
Clinical Pilates and our Balance and Bones exercise classes are also available for patients managing diabetes alongside other conditions such as osteoporosis, balance impairment or musculoskeletal pain.
Our Accredited Exercise Physiologist Ash O'Regan is a member of Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). For further information about diabetes management, visit Diabetes Australia.
To book or find out more, call us on 07 3706 3407, email [email protected] or book online below. We see patients from across Brisbane's southside including Tarragindi, Coorparoo, Holland Park, Greenslopes and Mt Gravatt.
