Psychological Services and Medicare
The Better Access Medicare Initiative enables you to receive a Medicare rebate when you see a Clinical Psychologist or a Psychologist in a private setting. To qualify, you need a referral from a general practitioner (GP), psychiatrist or paediatrician, outlining a psychological condition and the treatment required.
You can claim up to 10 Medicare rebates in a calendar year, with a GP review, usually about half way through your treatment, depending on your doctor's recommendation. In addition to individual services, you can receive rebates for up to 10 group sessions in a calendar year.
The referring GP will write you a Mental Health Care Plan, which you need to bring to your first appointment. This management plan takes time to complete, and you should book a double appointment with your doctor. You will need to discuss with your therapist whether you need further psychological support at the time of the review. If so, you will need to consult your doctor so you can complete your treatment plan.
You can't use your private health insurance ancillary cover to top up Medicare rebates for psychological services, so you will need to decide whether to use Medicare or your private health insurance ancillary cover to pay for psychological consultations.
If you decide not to use Medicare for any of your eligible appointments (for example, while you are waiting for a review by your doctor) you can use your private health care fund to claim rebates.
What will it cost me?
With an appropriate referral from your GP to Clinical Psychologists Jennifer Wright and Janelle Stanbury, you pay $190 for a 55-minute consultation, and receive a Medicare rebate of $122.15. Registered Psychologists Jane Hindley, Steve Tandy and Mercedes Asencio charge $170 for a 55-minute consultation, and you receive a Medicare rebate of $83.25
Your GP will decide to whom your referral will be made – we have different skills. Please contact one of us, or request that your GP call us for information about who would be the best therapist to help you. Usually receptionists Penny or Karen will answer the telephone and can give you more information. You can ask to speak with a psychologist and we can provide guidance about your psychological needs.
Payments are made on the day of your appointment, using a credit card, Direct Debit, Eftpos, a cheque, cash or PayPal.
Medicare and My Practice
My practice is covered under the Medicare Initiative. Each of us can treat patients for a number of problems under the Medicare scheme, including the following.
- Chronic psychotic disorders
- Acute psychotic disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Phobic disorder
- Generalised anxiety disorder
- Adjustment disorder
- Unexplained somatic complaints
- Depression
- Sexual disorders
- Conduct disorder
- Bereavement disorder
- Post–traumatic stress disorder
- Eating disorders
- Panic disorder
- Alcohol use disorders
- Drug use disorders
- Mixed anxiety and depression
- Dissociative (conversion) disorder
- Neurasthenia
- Sleep problems
- Hyperkinetic (attention deficit) disorder
- Enuresis (non-organic)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Mental disorder, not otherwise specified
Dementia, delirium, tobacco use and mental retardation are not regarded as mental disorders, for the purposes of the mental health Medicare items. More information on Medicare-related treatment of psychological issues can be found at the Department of Health and Ageing's website or the Australian Psychological Society's website.