Mental Health Care Plan

Better Access to Mental Health Initiative

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The Medicare rebate is only available for individuals with an Australian Medicare card. 

Medicare offers 10 Individual ‘Psychological Therapy’ sessions per calendar year (see below for details).

To be eligible for the Medicare rebate, you will need a Mental Health Care Plan and a referral letter from your GP or Psychiatrist.  The first referral is typically for 6 sessions, then you will need to see your GP again after your 6th and 10th sessions.

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If you wish to claim a rebate from Medicare:

1. You will need to make an appointment with your GP to discuss the option of a Mental Health Care Plan under the Better Access to Mental Health Initiative.  You may need to book a longer consultation with your GP for the assessment and preparation of this plan.

2. There are certain criteria and presenting problems that your GP will assess to determine your eligibility for a Mental Health Care Plan. In the Mental Health Care Plan, the GP should provide and specify a referral to: Natalia Moreno Montecinos at Cope Ahead Psychology.

3. Alternatively, if a client is under the care of a paediatrician or psychiatrist, your specialist can provide a referral to access psychological services.  The referral letter indicating treatment under Better Access (Mental Health Care Plan) must be provided to Cope Ahead Psychology.

4. A valid Mental Health Care Plan enables a client to attend sessions with a psychologist and then claim a Medicare rebate for the partial cost of this service.  A Medicare rebate will be available for a maximum of 10 individual services per calendar year.  A copy of the plan and/or a referral requesting treatment under a Mental Health Care Plan must be emailed to Cope Ahead Psychology on admin@copeaheadpsychology.com.au

5. It is important to note a Mental Health Care Plan is issued for an authorised number of sessions (maximum 6 sessions).  After the initial 6 sessions, the psychologist will provide a written report back to the referring practitioner.  The client must then make an appointment to review the plan with the GP or specialist before further sessions can take place.  If required, a further 4 sessions can then be authorised by the referring practitioner. Please note: a copy of the new GP referral letter authorising the additional sessions must also be emailed to Cope Ahead Psychology  admin@copeaheadpsychology.com.au  before further sessions can be booked.

6. Group sessions can also be authorised as part of a Mental Health Care Plan.  The GP needs to specify group sessions on the plan.  Up to 10 group therapy services can also be provided per calendar year (in addition to individual sessions).

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We will provide you with a detailed receipt of your session to take to Medicare and claim the rebate yourself. If you have the Medicare App, you can take a photo of your invoice and upload this photo to claim your Medicare rebate.

If you are uncertain whether your GP has completed all the necessary referral information for you to be eligible for a rebate, please confirm this with your GP or call Medicare on 132 011.  We cannot confirm these details for you.

 

Medicare Rebate as of July 2024

Individual Therapy

• MBS Item No: 80110  (Item Number must appear on MHCP)

• 50 Minutes, In Person, Registered Psychologist

• Rebate: $96.65

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Group Therapy

• MBS Item No: 80122  (Item Number must appear on MHCP)

• 90 Minutes, In Person, Registered Psychologist

• Rebate: $33.60

 

For full details about the Better Access Initiative