Costs and rebates...
When referring patients under the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS item 2715: Mental Health Care Plan) your patient can access up to 10 rebated sessions per year.
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Medicare rebates are currently $89.65 per session to help manage costs. 80% of the gap fee is covered if the Medicare Safety Net Threshold is reached.
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NDIS rebates cover the entire session cost with no extra gap.
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Various private health insurance cover may also give a rebate based on the patient’s coverage.
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Our staff will always proactively check funding levels upon enquiry and booking to establish the best available option for patients. We are upfront about our service provision and cost.
Whilst mental health care plans are valid for 12-months from the date of referral, a new MHCP can be provided from January 1st of the new year (e.g. even if the last referral was provided at any time less than 12 months earlier).
From Medicare...
Psychologist MBS item no. 80110 (91170 – online/telehealth)
M7 - Focussed Psychological Strategies (Allied Mental Health):
Professional attendance for the purpose of providing focussed psychological strategies and services for an assessed mental disorder by a psychologist registered with Medicare Australia as meeting the credentialing requirements for provision of this service - lasting more than 50 minutes - where the patient is referred by a medical practitioner, as part of a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan or as part of a shared care plan; or referred by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not a specialist or consultant physician) who is managing the patient under a referred psychiatrist assessment and management plan; or referred by a specialist or consultant physician in the practice of his or her field of psychiatry or paediatrics.
These therapies are time limited, being deliverable in up to ten planned sessions in a calendar year (including services to which items 283 to 287; 2721 to 2727; 80000 to 80015; 80100 to 80115; 80125 to 80140; 80150 to 80165 apply).
(Professional attendance at consulting rooms/ online via telehealth)
Rebate: $96.65.
Communication:
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We pride ourselves on being able to provide a fast, efficient and readily available service with limited waiting time.
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We provide a rostered triage service and utilise a strategic cancellation list if the doctor alerts us to an urgent case.
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We will provide an efficient clinical report direct to the doctor after several initial sessions and at the end of treatment completion.
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We are more than happy to take doctor’s phone calls at any time with prompt response and case conferencing where applicable, especially with complex cases, crisis and emergency situations.
Our
Partnership with you:
Working proactively with you...
We maintain a high level of expertise in major therapeutic approaches including CBT, ACT, IPT, family therapy, trauma therapy and supportive counselling. As you know, it’s all about connection, rapport, professional acumen, measured and outcomes-based treatment, whilst not alienating the patient from his or her own needs and interests in the process. The psychological therapy has to be tailor made for each individual as per the client-centered approach. When direct medical management is not completely effective, psychological intervention and support can seriously help your patient, and take the pressure off of doctors. Psychology and counselling as an allied discipline can dovetail exceedingly well with western medicine to achieve better mental health, to improve relationships and to help the psychosomatic balance by improving mental attitude. All our staff are fully qualified registered or clinical psychologists, are well trained with continuous professional development, supervision and support and are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA), the APS and/or AAPI. Our aim is to provide professional support with pertinent clinical communication to get your patient's needs met and to help you in your practice.
