Understanding Mental Health Care Plans & Accessing Medicare Rebates for Therapy Sessions
This guide explains how Mental Health Care Plans work under Medicare’s Better Access initiative and what you need to do to access rebated psychology sessions
Remember, you do not need a referral to see a psychologist privately - you only need one if you want to claim Medicare rebates.
The Better Access Initiative
The Better Access initiative is a government program that helps eligible Australians access mental health treatment by providing Medicare rebates for sessions with eligible mental health professionals. This includes psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and occupational therapists.
Under this initiative, you can claim Medicare benefits for:
Up to 10 individual therapy sessions in a calendar year and
Up to 10 group therapy sessions in the same period.
These rebates help lower the cost of seeing a psychologist but they don’t cover the full fee and most clients will still have a “gap” payment that is paid directly to their provider.
What Is a Mental Health Care Plan?
To be eligible for Medicare rebates under the Better Access Initiative you first need a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) which is completed with your GP or psychiatrist.
Your GP will review your symptoms, experiences and support needs and then work with you to develop a care plan that outlines your goals and recommended treatment. During the creation of a MHCP your GP needs to:
Confirm that you have a clinically diagnosed mental health condition that would benefit from psychological treatment, and
Provide a referral to a psychologist so you can claim Medicare rebates for sessions to assist your condition.
Steps to accessing a Mental Health Care Plan:
Book an appointment with your GP - let them know you’re seeking psychological support and would like a Mental Health Care Plan under Medicare’s Better Access initiative.
Discuss your needs and experiences - your GP will assess whether a care plan is appropriate and will ask you questions about how your mental health affects your daily life.
Receive your care plan and referral - if eligible, your GP will prepare the plan and referral for psychology services. Once this is done, you can book in with your chosen psychologist and access Medicare benefits for your sessions.
Once You Start Therapy
Although you can access up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year, your GP can only refer you for an initial 6 sessions before your progress is reviewed. Your psychologist will send a progress letter back to your GP and requesting a new referral for the additional 4 sessions if clinically appropriate.
You will need to book an appointment with your GP after the completion of 6 sessions in order to receive a new referral for the additional 4 sessions available.
This process ensures that care remains collaborative and responsive to your progress.
Can I Use My MHCP for Online Sessions?
Yes - you complete your psychological therapy sessions via either phone or video call and still receive the same medicare rebate. This ensures psychological support remains accessible to you, regardless of your location or capacity to attend in person.
Does It Matter Who My MHCP or Referral is Addressed To?
No - it generally does not matter who your MHCP is specifically addressed to but it does matter that it is directed to a Medicare-registered mental health professional.
This gives you the freedom to choose the psychologist who best meets your needs.
What About Costs?
While Medicare rebates help ease the cost of psychological sessions, they do not cover the full cost of sessions. Providers set their own service fees and clients will typically pay an out-of-pocket fee.
It’s best to:
Ask your psychologist about their fees before booking and out-of-pocket costs that will be associated with accessing sessions.
You might also check whether your private health insurance extras cover psychology sessions, however, you can’t claim both Medicare and private health rebates for the same session.
Things to Remember
You don’t need a referral to see a psychologist privately - you only need one if you want to claim Medicare rebates.
You can access a total of 10 individual sessions and 10 group sessions per calendar year but your GP can only refer you for an initial 6 sessions before you must return to your GP for a progress review. Following this, if clinically required, you can access a referral for the additional 4 sessions.
It generally does not matter who your MHCP is specifically addressed to which gives you the freedom to choose the psychologist who best meets your needs
You can access rebates for sessions provided in-person, online or via phone call
While Medicare rebates help ease the cost of psychological sessions, they typically do not cover the full cost of sessions.
If you are ready to start your therapy journey reach out to our team at hello@createspacepsychology.com.au or enquire below
