"Medicare"

Medicare and health insurance rebates are available.
To be eligible for Medicare rebate you should ask your GP, pediatrician or psychiatrist for a referral. The most common referral is from your GP. It is called “GP’s Mental Health Care Plan” and the GP Medicare item is 2710.


What is involved in a GP Mental Health Care Plan?
In order for a GP to refer a client for psychological services under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative, the GP must first complete a detailed assessment and diagnosis of the client. The GP must then prepare the GP Mental Health Care Plan, which includes documenting results of the assessment, client's needs, goals and actions, referrals and required treatment/services, and a review date. There is no particular form that is used for preparing the Mental Health Care Plan. Clients are encouraged to book a longer session with their GP if they are requesting a referral for psychological services, in order to enable the GP to complete the assessment and GP Mental Health Care Plan.

Further information on the GP Mental Health Care Plan is available from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.