FAQ

• A MHTP (GP referral) comprises of 1-6 pages that Medicare requires your GP to set up, so that he becomes part of your mental health support team.​
• Book an appointment at your GP for a MHTP – specify this to the receptionist so that she allows enough time (double appointment) for you and your GP to set it up.
• Your GP will ask you some questions about how you are feeling emotionally – you can reply with as much/as little information as you are comfortable to share.
• Your GP will probably give you a short questionnaire to answer to objectively measure your level of emotional distress.
• At the end of the appointment, your GP will hand you the MHTP pages to take to the psychologist of your choice, or electronically forward it to the psychologist – it is still your responsibility to make sure your psychologist receives it at or before your appointment, if you want to receive a Medicare Rebate that day.
• Your GP may suggest that you see the ‘in-house’ psychologist, but you are under no pressure to do so – go with your gut and see whom you think you will be the most comfortable with.
• Your GP is a professional and knows that one of the most important aspects of the client-psychologist relationship, is that you have trust in your choice of your psychologist.
• Your GP will respect your choice – it is your first step to taking control of your life’s direction.

• Most GPs are happy to do a MHTP – if they have known you for some time and are your ‘usual GP’. (replace with this)
• Even if they don’t know you – most GPs will be willing to do one – it depends on the GP.
• You may even ask for a MHTP before you see your psychologist for the first session – this way you will receive the rebate from your very first session.
• You do not need a letter from your psychologist to ask your GP for a MHTP – Your GP knows what a MHTP is.
• If your GP is new to doing MHTPs, then you can suggest they read this section on this website for more information.

GPs can write as little or as much as they want on a MHTP. It is important though that the following is on the MHTP – as required by Medicare:

• Your details (name, address, date of birth…the usual).
• Reason for referral (depression, anxiety, etc.).
• Your GPs name and Provider Number (PR#).
• Your GPs practice contact details.
• The date on which the MHTP was done.
• The name of your psychologist or simply “The Psychologist” (if you can’t remember the name).

Without these details Medicare will not recognise that a MHTP is in place and you will not receive any rebates.

Remember to bring your Medicare Card to your psychology appointment.

• Years ago, Medicare gave 18 rebates per calendar year, then 12, then 10 and then 20 during Covid.
• Unfortunately, since 2023, we are back to 10 rebates per calendar year.
• Regardless of how many psychologists you see in that year – you will only have 10 rebated sessions all together in ONE Calendar Year.
• The MHTP itself, will only allow you 6 initial sessions = A Course of Treatment (as defined by Medicare). It is like a key ‘unlocking’ the Medicare ‘bank’ for paying out rebates.
• If therapy is not completed after the 6th session, your psychologist will write a letter (which you then take to your GP), to ask for a few more sessions = Requesting a Review.
• Without a Review, Medicare will NOT rebate the next sessions for the year.
• Like a MHTP, a Review is also a Course of Treatment and has 6 sessions included, but a GP can specify how many sessions they want to give after the review.
• Generally, the GP referrals start with a MHTP = 6 rebates, then a Review = 4 rebates.
• 6 + 4 = 10 sessions in that calendar year.
• If you still have a few sessions (rebates) left on your last referral, they will carry-over to the next year and form part of that year’s 10 rebates.

• Any individual with a valid Medicare Card qualifies for a rebate from Medicare.
• Except for couples (unfortunately), but most Health Insurances tend to have rebates for Couples (but Anna does not see couples).
• If you do not qualify for a rebate, then please call Anna to see if she can tailor a fee that could be more affordable without a rebate.
• ​No one should miss out on therapy just because they might not qualify for a rebate.

• Before you can get a rebate, you have to see your GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) appointment.
• Any GP can do a MHTP – if they already know you.
• You will need a double appointment with your GP to have enough time to do a MHTP.
• If you don’t have a ‘usual GP’, Anna might have a few in mind who are really interested in mental health. Please send Anna a text message and she will get back to you within 2 business days.

• Anna does the claiming for your – Online.
• Her practice is connected to Medicare via her booking/invoicing system, so that you do not have to queue at Medicare in person for the rebate.
• After you have paid for your session in full via VISA or MasterCard (credit/debit), she simply ticks a box on your invoice on her computer screen and Medicare then knows to pay you the rebate.
• Medicare can pay you your rebate directly into the bank details that you have previously provided to them (your nominated bank).
• You are not out of pocket for very long – all rebates paid by Medicare directly, should be in your bank within 24hrs…always by 48hrs.

• Most private health insurers have psychology rebates.
• Some insurers will allow you to access their rebates before you have used up all your Medicare rebates.
• Others will not allow you to receive their rebates until you have used up your 10 Medicare rebates.
• If your health insurer’s rebates are higher than Medicare’s please check with them on their position or paying out rebates.
• ​If you do not have health insurance or qualify for Medicare rebates, then please text Anna to discuss other options with her.

• We really are in the ‘Lucky Country’, since around the world, very few countries have Mental Health as a priority.
• Having a MHTP helps you complete your counselling without added financial worries…because you always get 10 rebates per calendar year, to lessen the final cost.
• Please call Anna to discuss her fees – you will be surprised at how affordable counselling is.
• Ask your GP about a MHTP today!