Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative (MEDICARE)

Children or a family member with a recognised mental health issue, Medicare provides rebates for psychology services. Eligible clients can claim a maximum of ten (10) sessions per calendar year under a Mental Health Care Plan for individual/ group therapy.

Referral process: to access this program, families will need a referral letter and a Mental Health Care Plan from their GP for services recommended in their care plan.

Children registered under the Better Start and Helping Children With Autism programs are also eligible for Medicare items for up to 20 relevant allied health services in total for each eligible child up to the age of 15 provided the treatment and management plan is in place before the age of 13.

Referral process: to access these services, families will need to be registered under either the Better Start or Helping Children With Autism program. ACPC is a private organisation charging private fees which range per service and therefore does not bulk bill. Medicare rebates however can be claimed from each service with a suitable referral in place.

• Medicare Rebates for Mental Health Services provided by Psychologists
• Helping Children with Autism(HCWA)  Medicare Initiative 
• Better Start for Children with Disability: Medicare Funded Services

Medicare items for COVID-19 telehealth services

New COVID-19 Medicare items, available from 13 March 2020, allow vulnerable/isolated clients to access to bulk-billed psychological services delivered via telehealth (i.e., videoconference or phone). These measures were introduced as part of the Federal Government’s $2.4 billion package to protect Australians from the coronavirus (COVID-19). Psychologists, Doctors and Nurses can provide these services. 

In the case for psychologists, the eligible interventions remain the same as those that have been specified for each of the Medicare initiatives when provided face-to-face.The following items are currently available until March 2021 with the possibility of keeping Telehealth permanent. 

• COVID-19 Telehealth (Online/ Phone) Initiative (1-10 sessions)
• COVID-19 Additional Psychological Therapy Services (11-20 sessions)

Who is Eligible to receive these services?

Clients who meet existing eligibility requirements for these Medicare initiatives are now eligible to receive these services by telehealth, if clinically appropriate. Eligibility requirements include:

• Being eligible to receive services under Medicare under a particular program of funding
• Having a valid referral from a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician
• Not being a patient of an emergency department or admitted to hospital at the time of the service.

For more information on COVID-19 Medicare Funded Psychology Services, please click here.

NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme)

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), launched on the 1 July 2013, aims to provide community linking and individualised support for people with permanent and significant disability, their families and carers. From 1 July 2016 the NDIS has expanded to many areas in NSW and Sydney region. 

Eligibility for NDIS services: A person accessing the NDIS must be able to show that they are eligible for the scheme in relation to:

• Their disability (resulting from impairment)
• The permanence of their disability
• The impact on their functional capacity (e.g., communication, activities of daily living)
• The impairment or impairments affecting the person's capacity for social and economic participation

To qualify for eligibility for the early intervention component of the scheme the person:

• Must have one or more of the following: intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment that is, or is likely to be, permanent
• Has one or more identified impairment that is attributable to a psychiatric condition and is, or is likely to be, permanent
• Is a child who has developmental delay

For some people the question of eligibility may be more complex, or the NDIS may need extra information to support the planning process. In these circumstances, they may request a registered provider to assess an individual.

For further information about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), visit http://www.ndis.gov.au/

For information regarding NDIS services and Fees at our clinic please follow link here. 

We are here to help

We understand that the health system can be complex and we support families to understand what programs and services you may be eligible to receive. For further details about any of our services please email your questions to info@acpcpsychology.com.au