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| Is psychology covered by Medicare? |
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From the 1st November 2006, the new Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative will allow people with a diagnosed mental disorder to access psychology services through Medicare. For information, download the Australian Psychological Society Medicare factsheet. Patients will need to be referred by a GP in the context of a GP Mental Health Care Plan (Medicare item number 2710), or by a psychiatrist or paediatrician. When making an appointment with your GP for the Mental Health Care Plan, it is recommended that patients ask for a long consultation.
For patients to be eligible for rebates from Medicare, they must have a clinically diagnosable disorder that significantly affects their cognitive, emotional or social abilities. These can include: Medicare will rebate up to 12 sessions per calendar year (from January to December). After six sessions, clients are required to obtain a GP Mental Health Care Review (Medicare item number 2712) to access the additional six sessions. The GP Mental Health Care Plan expires after 12 months from the date of referral. For clinical psychologists, clients will receive a $117.65 Medicare rebate for a one hour session. Clients seeing an approved registered psychologist will receive a $80.20 Medicare rebate for a one hour session. Clients will be required to pay our full fee upfront on the day of consultation. Clients can then either claim the Medicare rebate electronically on the spot using Medicare easyclaim or take their invoice to Medicare to claim the rebate. |
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