Mental Health Care Plans

 What is a Mental Health Care Plan-and How Do I Get One?

A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is a support plan prepared by your GP (doctor) that helps you access subsidised psychology services through Medicare. If you’re experiencing challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, or other mental health concerns, an MHCP can make professional support more affordable and accessible.

How Does a Mental Health Care Plan Work?

With a valid MHCP and referral from your GP, you are eligible to receive Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year. The plan is designed to support your mental health journey by making it easier to access evidence-based care from a registered psychologist.

Key benefits of a Mental Health Care Plan:

Medicare rebates: Reduce the out-of-pocket cost for psychology sessions.

Access to professional support: Connects you with a psychologist or other mental health professional.

Collaborative care: Ensures your GP and psychologist work together to support your wellbeing.

Please note: Our practice does not offer bulk billing services. This means there will be an out-of-pocket cost for each session, even after your Medicare rebate is applied. If you have any questions about fees, please contact our admin team for more information.

How Do I Get a Mental Health Care Plan?

1. Book an appointment with your GP: Let your doctor’s clinic know you’d like to discuss your mental health and request a Mental Health Care Plan. It’s helpful to ask for a longer appointment so you have plenty of time to talk.

2. Discuss your concerns:
At your appointment, talk openly with your GP about how you’re feeling and any symptoms you’re experiencing. Your GP will assess your situation and determine if you’re eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan.

3. Receive your plan and referral:
If appropriate, your GP will create a Mental Health Care Plan and provide you with a referral to see a psychologist. You can request to be referred to our practice, or your GP can provide an open referral if you haven’t chosen a psychologist yet.

4. Book your psychology sessions:
Once you have your plan and referral, you can contact our practice to arrange your first appointment. Please bring your referral and MHCP paperwork with you, or ask your GP to send them directly to us.

5. Ongoing support:
After your initial sessions, your GP may review your progress and, if needed, provide access to additional sessions within the calendar year.

If you have any questions about using a Mental Health Care Plan at our practice, or about our fees, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.