Mental Health Treatment Plan
Medicare provides rebates for Psychological Consultations under a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). To access the Medicare rebate, you must have a referral from a GP, Paediatrician or a Psychiatrist, under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. You are able to receive rebates for 10 individual and 10 group psychological sessions per calendar year.
Please review the information available here: APS – Medicare Better Access FAQs
The current rebate for Psychological Interventions starts at: $87.45 for Registered Psychologists.
Chronic Disease Management Plan
The chronic disease management (CDM) Medicare items are part of a government initiative that assists people living with a chronic or complex medical illness to get the support and help they need from allied health professionals.
Medicare rebates are available for up to five visits (in total) within a calendar year, to certain allied health professionals assisting in the care and management of a chronic disease from a range of allied health professionals including Psychologists.
Please review the information available here: Chronic Disease Management Plan Medicare – FAQs
The current Medicare rebate provided under a Chronic Disease Management Plan is $52.95
Helping Children with Autism and Better Start for Children with Disability
Medicare provides rebates for the assessment and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders and other eligible Disabilities. This Medicare item is available for a maximum of four assessment sessions and 20 treatment sessions. Assessment sessions are available up until the child turns 13 years of age, and treatment sessions are available up until a child turns 15 years of age, provided their treatment plan was in place before their 13th birthday. The child must first have been seen by a specialist or consultant physician, or a GP before commencing assessment sessions with the psychologist.
More information is also available here: Helping Children with Autism – FAQs
More information is also available here: Better Start for Children with Disability – FAQs
To claim your rebate, you will need to provide a copy of a current referral and your current Medicare card details. Full payment is taken at time of session. Your Psych Centre will then process the Medicare rebate on your behalf. The rebate will be returned directly to your nominated bank account with Medicare. This usually takes 1 to 2 business days.
If you do not have a referral, and have Private Health cover, check with your insurer if you are eligible for a rebate.