FAQs - Mental Health Plan
What is a Mental Health Plan with my GP?
We all experience challenging emotional issues at different times. We can’t always deal with these on our own. If you feel you need help and it’s not an emergency, it’s best to see your doctor. When you see your doctor, they’ll assess what help you need. This could include:
making a mental health assessment
creating a mental health treatment plan
referring you to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional
giving you a prescription for medicines to treat depression or anxiety.
Your doctor might ask you some personal questions to understand your situation. Sometimes it can be hard to talk to others about your mental health.
How much is a Mental Health Plan and Support?
If your doctor bulk bills, Medicare will cover the cost of the appointment. If your doctor doesn’t bulk bill, you’ll need to pay either:
the full cost
the difference between what they charge and what we cover.
If you pay the full cost, you can make a claim for the amount we cover. Your doctor can also make a claim on your behalf.
A mental health treatment plan lets you claim up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions with a mental health professional each calendar year.
To start with, your doctor or psychiatrist will refer you for up to 6 sessions at a time. If you need more, they can refer you for further sessions. Health professionals set their own fees, so we may only cover some of the cost.
When you make your appointment, remember to ask:
how much you’ll pay
how much of the cost we’ll cover.
If they bulk bill, you won’t have to pay anything. If you have private health insurance, you may be able to get some money back. You can check with your insurer.
What does a Mental Health Plan involve?
If you have a mental health disorder, you and your doctor can create a plan to treat it.
Your mental health treatment plan will have goals agreed by you and your doctor. It’ll also have:
treatment options (including referrals to Psychologists, Psychiatrists and other relevant treatment professionals
support services available
Management of prescribed medication
Keep in mind your health information and treatment plan will be private. Doctors can’t share your information unless you agree to it.
I’m pregnant and need some extra support. Is there anything available?
Being pregnant and having a baby can bring up confusing emotions. If you’re pregnant, or have been in the last 12 months, your doctor can refer you for counselling. Medicare may help cover the costs of up to 3 sessions. Read more about pregnancy counselling on the Department of Health and Aged Care website Dept. Health and Aged Care
You can also read more about Medicare services for conceiving, pregnancy and birth.
Medicare services for conceiving, pregnancy and birth
Don’t forget the Men and Fathers. Pregnancy and the birth of children can impact them too (including Post Partem Depression). If you would like further information and support, please contact:
I currently care for someone with a Mental Health issue. Is there any help available for me?
Caring for someone with a mental health issue can be challenging emotionally and financially. Centrelink offers support through:
Carer Payment - an income support payment if you give constant care to someone
Carer Supplement - an extra yearly payment for some carers
Carer Adjustment Payment - a one-off payment for carers of children under 7 with severe illness or major disability.
You can use the Carer Gateway website to find other kinds of support. This includes practical, social, and emotional help.
Read about how to support someone with a mental health condition on the Head to Health website Head to Health
You may be able to participate in 2 sessions per calendar year as part of the mental health treatment plan of the person you care for. You may be able to do this if all of the following apply:
they consent to this as part of their treatment
they don’t attend the sessions
the sessions are part of their treatment
the treating or referring health professional recommends it.
These sessions count towards the limit of 10 individual sessions in their mental health treatment plan.