​​Straight Up Psychology

David Fillmore   Registered Psychologist

Under the Australian Governments’ Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule initiative, Medicare rebates are available to patients, for selected mental health services provided by general practitioners (GPs), psychiatrists, psychologists (clinical and registered) and eligible social workers and occupational therapists, with a Mental Health Care Plan. Refer to the Better Access to Mental Health Care: Fact Sheet for Patients for further information.

Mental Health Care Plan

A Mental Health Care Plan is a plan made by your doctor (GP) for treating a mental health problem over time. Having a plan helps everyone involved in your mental health care to work towards the same goals.

Your GP will work with you to assess your mental health and prepare a Mental Health Care Plan before referring you to a psychologist.

Most common mental health issues are eligible including depression, anxiety, panic attacks, sleep problems, eating disorders, sexual disorders, drug and alcohol problems and others.

How do I obtain a Mental Health Care Plan?

1.    Ring your GP to confirm that he/she does Mental Health Care Plans, and book an appointment. A GP Mental Health Care Consultation is a longer appointment (more than 20 minutes) in which your GP will assess your health care needs and circumstances and determine whether psychological counselling would be of benefit to you, so be sure to ask for  a long appointment, or a Mental Health Care Plan appointment.

2.    If your GP determines that you are eligible and would benefit from seeing a psychologist, he/she will complete a Mental Health Care Plan with you and can make a referral to the psychologist of your choice.

How many sessions can be claimed?

Your GP can initially refer you for up to six sessions of treatment with a psychologist.

At the end of these six sessions, you can return to your referring GP who will review your progress and determine if you are eligible for a new referral for an additional four sessions (a maximum of ten in each calendar year).

Who can provide Medicare subsidised services?

Medicare service providers must be qualified GPs, psychiatrists or psychologists (clinical and registered) or eligible social workers and occupational therapists.

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Is there a gap payment?

For clients who are under 18 or who hold a Pension or Health Care Card, we offer bulk billing, with no gap payment, during weekday (business hour) appointments.  To qualify, you must have a referral in the form of a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP prior to your first appointment.

All other appointments with a referral in the form of a Mental Health Care Plan are eligible for the Medicare rebate, helping you to pay for most of the cost of your treatment. After the Medicare rebate of $89.65 is applied, the gap payment or out-of pocket expense for a session is $30.35.