INFORMATION FOR GPs
General Practitioners (GPs) play a vital role in identifying patients who need psychological support and referring them to our clinic for specialised care. We value these referrals and work closely with GPs to ensure seamless communication and optimal patient outcomes.
MEDICARE REBATES
Psychologists registered with Medicare Australia are able to provide Medicare rebateable psychological services to eligible patients. Under the Better Access Initiative, patients who have a Mental Health Care / Treatment Plan (MHC/TP) and a referral to a psychologist from their GP are eligible for rebates for up to 10 focused psychology sessions a calendar year through Medicare. Eligible patients are those with an assessed Mental Disorder who a GP is managing under a GP Mental Health Care /Treatment Plan or under a referred psychiatrist assessment and management plan.
A calendar year starts on 1st January and ends on 31st December.
It is a mandatory requirement that the GP completes the MHC/TP with the patient and provides a valid referral to the psychologist. Psychologists do not need the MHC/TP unless the patient consents to its release. A MHC/TP on its own is not a valid referral.
Information about the Better Access Initiative can be found on this website.
VALID REFERRALS
A Mental Health Care / Treatment Plan (MHC/TP) is not a referral and alone is not sufficient for the psychologist to provide a service under the Better Access Initiative. A valid referral contains: the date, patient’s name, date of birth, and address, diagnosis / issue, request for services, number of sessions, referring GP’s name, practice details, and Medicare Provider Number, the GP’s signature, a statement about whether the patient has a GPMHC/TP, shared care plan or a psychiatrist assessment and management plan.
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According to the Medicare Benefits Schedule, “The referral may be in the form of a letter, or note to an eligible allied health professional signed and dated by the referring practitioner. The allied health professional must be in receipt of the referral at the first consultation.”
Note: a referral is valid for the number of sessions identified on the referral and does not expire.
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NUMBER OF SESSIONS
​​Each referral is valid for up to six sessions. The patient must see the GP for a re-referral to access the additional four sessions in that calendar year. A GP may choose to refer for six sessions (so the patient can use four in one calendar year and then the other two in the new calendar year).
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After the first six sessions are used, the Psychologist must write a letter to the GP requesting a new referral (if required). The patient must attend an appointment with their GP to facilitate this.
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After all ten sessions are completed, the Psychologist must then write back to the GP.
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Patients can continue psychology sessions paying the full-fee with no Medicare rebate. They may be able to obtain a rebate from their private health insurance.