Collins Place Psychology and Hypnotherapy

NEW MEDICARE REBATE

Medicare rebates for psychology have been available since November 1, 2006. Two categories of service are available - "general" psychology services and "specialist" clinical psychology services.

Both general and specialist psychology Medicare items can be provided to people with "an assessed mental disorder" that is being managed by a GP under a GP Mental Health Care Plan or a psychiatrist assessment and management plan, or for treatment of a child, on direct referral from a psychiatrist or a paediatrician.

"An assessed mental disorder" includes the following:

Mood disorders like depression and Bipolar Disorder

Anxiety disorders like Agoraphobia, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Eating disorders

Sleep disorders

Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders

All psychology Medicare services are limited to a maximum of 12 individual sessions per client per calendar year, with a review by the referring doctor required after the initial six sessions. In addition, clients will also be eligible for 12 group session services, where appropriate, in a calendar year.

Read on for more information, or go to http://www.psychology.org.au/ and look at the Medicare information there.

General psychology Medicare items

Focused Psychological Strategies

Referral requirements	Client must be referred by a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician
Eligible clients	People with an assessed mental disorder (excluding dementia, delirium, tobacco use disorder and mental retardation) that is being managed by a GP under a GP Mental Health Care Plan or a psychiatrist assessment and management plan; or on direct referral by a psychiatrist or paediatrician from an eligible Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) service
Services to be provided	Provision of approved Focused Psychological Strategies (FPS) Psycho-education (including motivational interviewing) Cognitive behaviour therapy, including: Behavioural interventions - behaviour modification; exposure techniques; activity scheduling Cognitive interventions - cognitive therapy Relaxation strategies - progressive muscle relaxation; controlled breathing Skills training - problem solving skills and training; anger management; social skills training; communication training; stress management; parent management training Interpersonal therapy (especially for depression)

	20-50 mins	>50 mins	Group (6-10 people) 60 mins plus
Scheduled fee	$62.50	$88.20	$22.45
Rebate	$53.15	$75.00	$19.10

Scheduled fee (professional attendance at a place other than consulting rooms	$84.95	$110.70
Rebate (professional attendance at a place other than consulting rooms)	$72.25	$94.10

Specialist clinical psychology Medicare items

Psychological therapy

Referral requirements	Client must be referred by a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician
Eligible clients	People with an assessed mental disorder (excluding dementia, delirium, tobacco use disorder and mental retardation) that is being managed by a GP under a GP Mental Health Care Plan or a psychiatrist assessment and management plan; or on direct referral by a psychiatrist or paediatrician from an eligible Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) service
Services to be provided	Provision of psychological therapies and associated assessment. In addition to psycho-education, it is recommended that cognitive behaviour therapy be provided. However, other evidence-based therapies, such as interpersonal therapy, may be used if considered clinically relevant.

Rebates and Fees

	20-50 mins	>50 mins	Group (6-10 people) 60 mins plus
Scheduled fee	$88.20	$129.40	$32.90 per person
Rebate	$75.00	$110.00	$28.00 per person
Scheduled fee (professional attendance at a place other than consulting rooms)	$110.20	$151.40
Rebate (professional attendance at a place other than consulting rooms)	$93.70	$128.70

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