GMHBA Launches Digital Cardiac Rehab Program Powered by Cardihab
Cardihab is proud to support GMHBA in launching a new digital cardiac rehabilitation program aimed at improving access to critical care for patients in regional Australia.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the country, and regional patients are disproportionately affected. In FY23, GMHBA—Australia’s leading not-for-profit regional private health insurer—recorded more than 6,800 cardiac-related hospital admissions and $83.3 million in cardiac-related claims. Worryingly, 44% of those members were readmitted within six months of their initial heart event, and nearly 3,000 were eligible for traditional cardiac rehab.
To help address this, GMHBA is introducing a digital cardiac rehab program powered by Cardihab’s clinically validated platform. The program is available to eligible GMHBA members who hold a Silver hospital policy and have been hospitalised for a cardiac event in the past six months. It delivers expert cardiac support directly to patients in their own homes, regardless of location.
The digital delivery is complemented by a dedicated cardiac nurse working within GMHBA’s team, offering personalised guidance and support throughout the program. Patients receive tailored recovery plans, education, exercise and psychological support, and can stay connected with their care team through secure digital tools.
“Research shows that attending even a single session of cardiac rehab can reduce the risk of hospital readmission or death by 2%,” said GMHBA CEO David Greig. “But the real impact comes with continued engagement.”
“Patients who complete the full program see a 47% lower risk of death and a 31% lower risk of heart attack compared to those who attend just one session. Our goal with this partnership is to make cardiac rehab more accessible and flexible, so more people can complete the care they need and dramatically improve their outcomes.”
Delivered via smartphone or tablet, the program ensures accessibility and ease of use. It is fully compliant with health privacy regulations and aligned with GMHBA’s value-based care strategy—ensuring members receive timely, effective support post-hospitalisation to reduce complications and support long-term health.
Cardihab CEO Helen Souris said the evidence for Cardihab’s virtual cardiac rehabilitation programs is clear and compelling, and achieves equivalent outcomes to conventional models.
“Quality cardiac rehabilitation programs improve people’s quality of life after heart events or surgery, can prevent hospital readmissions and even save lives, which is why the guidelines recommend ALL patients that have had a heart attack or unstable angina should be referred to a program.”
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to transforming the future of cardiac care, removing barriers, and helping Australians live healthier lives—wherever they are.
Find out more about this program on the GMHBA website: Digital Cardiac Rehab Program | In partnership with Cardihab