Medicare and Psychology

Starting therapy is straightforward. Here’s the path from first thought to first session:

See your GP and ask about a Mental Health Treatment Plan. If it’s right for you, your doctor will prepare the plan and a referral.

Contact us with your referral — call the practice you’d like to attend, or send us a message.

We’ll match you with a psychologist suited to your needs and book your first appointment (a short wait sometimes applies, because we guarantee ongoing care).

Attend your sessions — usually weekly or fortnightly, with the same psychologist.

Medicare covers up to 10 sessions of psychotherapy on referral from a general practitioner. The referral is initially for six sessions with a further four available on review. When you pay our fee (which is set at approximately $60 above the Medicare rebate), the difference is immediately paid into your account by Medicare.

The services are available to patients who are assessed by doctors to be eligible. The patient must be managed under a GP Mental Health Care Plan (Item 2700/2701 or 2715/2717), or have a psychiatric assessment and management plan (Item 291 or 293) and a Mental Health Care Plan must be in place.

Referrals can also be made by a paediatrician or psychiatrist.

However, it is imperative that the Mental Health plan or Psychiatric Management Plan is in place at the time of the referral or you will not be eligible for a rebate.

Please note: both a Mental Health Care Plan and a referral are needed. A new referral (not the plan or a review) is required each time a course of treatment starts, and again at session 6. Your doctor must specify how many sessions are recommended.