By Zoe Pearce, Senior Receptionist
If you’ve ever looked into seeing a psychologist under Medicare, chances are you’ve run into a bit of confusion.
‘What exactly is a Mental Health Care Plan?’ ‘How many sessions do you get?’ ‘Do you have to pay anything?‘ It can all feel overwhelming, and let’s be honest—when you’re already struggling with your mental health, the last thing you need is a complicated system to navigate.
The good news? You’re not alone in this, and we’re here to walk you through it in a way that makes sense.
What is the Medicare Better Access Scheme?
The Medicare Better Access Scheme is a government initiative designed to make mental health care more affordable. It provides Medicare rebates for sessions with registered and clinical psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists who offer mental health services.
To receive these rebates, you’ll need a Mental Health Care Plan.
For simplicity, we’ll focus on psychologists in this guide.
What is a Mental Health Care Plan?
A Mental Health Care Plan – sometimes called a Mental Health Treatment Plan – is a written document created by a General Practitioner (GP), psychiatrist, or paediatrician. It outlines:
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- Your current mental health concerns,
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- Goals for your treatment (such as reducing anxiety, managing stress or improving mood) and,
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- Referrals to support.
This plan allows you to access up to 10 Medicare-subsidised sessions per
calendar year with a psychologist.
What is a calendar year?
A calendar year is refers to the period of January 1st until December 31st.
How do I get a Mental Health Care Plan?
Step 1: Make an appointment with your general practitioner (GP).
Tip : To ensure your GP has enough time to discuss your needs and create the plan, book a long appointment. For some practices, a long appointment is a requirement when organising a Mental Health Care Plan.
Step 2: Chatting with your GP.
Your GP will ask about how you’ve been feeling and how your mental health is affecting your daily life. They might also give you a short questionnaire to better understand your mood, but its not a test; there are no “right” or “wrong” answers.
If your GP agrees that psychological support would be beneficial, they will work with you to create a Mental Health Care Plan and refer you to a psychologist who they feel can best support you.
If you prefer, you can also research psychologists yourself and ask your GP to refer you to someone who feels like the right fit.
In many cases, the GP’s office will send this referral directly to the psychologist’s clinic.
At first, you’ll be approved for six sessions. If you and your psychologist feel that more support is needed, you can return to your GP for a review, and they may approve four additional sessions, bringing the total to 10 per year.
Step 3: Book an appointment with a psychologist.
Once you have your plan, you can book an appointment with a psychologist. If your GP has referred you to a specific clinic, they may reach out to you directly to arrange your first session.
Step 4: Reviewing the Mental Health Care Plan.
If you’ve used all six initial sessions and would like to continue, you’ll need to book a follow-up appointment with your GP. If they approve, you’ll receive an additional four sessions, bringing your total to ten in the present calendar year.
How do I claim my Medicare rebate?
At our practice, your rebate is processed at the same time as your payment:
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- In-person sessions: payment of the full fee is required upfront, and your Medicare rebate can be processed instantly following if you bring your Medicare and debit card.
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- Telehealth sessions: payment of the full fee is required upfront, and your Medicare rebate is processed online, and usually appears in your bank account within 3 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan?
Anyone in Australia with a Medicare card who is experiencing mental health challenges can request one.
What if I don’t feel comfortable talking to my GP about mental health?
First of all, know that this is totally understandable. Talking about mental health can feel very confronting, but reaching out for support is a sign of strength.
If you have a regular GP you trust, that’s a great place to start. If not, you can ask friends or family for recommendations, or look for a GP who is interested in working with individuals concerned about their mental health.
What kind of mental health challenges are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan?
The scheme supports people dealing with a range of issues like anxiety,
depression, stress, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, grief, trauma, and more.
Can I choose my own psychologist?
Yes! As long as they are registered with Medicare for mental health services (which most are), you can choose the psychologist that feels right for you. Your GP may recommend someone in particular, or you may like to do some independent research, and ask that the Mental Health Care Plan is addressed to a certain person.
Can I use private health insurance as well?
You are not able to use Medicare and private health rebates for the same session.
However, we find that some clients who have private health coverage like to obtain a care plan anyway, and use one option as a ‘back-up,’ when their primary choice of coverage runs out, helping to alleviate costs for consistent attendance.
Does the Mental Health Care Plan expire after a year?
No, your Mental Health Care Plan does not expire once it’s established.
It remains valid for the number of sessions it covers, and you can continue using it to access Medicare rebates for psychology appointments. The MHCP is an ongoing document, and you don’t need a new one just because it’s a new year.
However, you will need to seek a review from your doctor if you require further treatment after using up your allocated sessions.
Additionally, if you have not seen your psychologist for quite some time, but have remaining sessions on an old plan, we recommend obtaining a new one to ensure your psychologist has been updated on any changes that may have occurred, allowing them to be prepared to best support you.
Navigating the mental health care system can feel complicated, but help is available, and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. If you’re struggling, reaching out to a GP for a Mental Health Care Plan is a great first step. There’s no shame in seeking support, and prioritising your mental well-being is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.
You’re not alone in this!
If you have any questions, our friendly team is here to help! Feel free to reach out—we’d love to assist you in getting the care you need.
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