Medicare Psychologists & Fees

Understanding Medicare Psychologists rebates and referral options for accessing Psychology services can be confusing.  We have compiled the following FAQs with helpful information regarding what Medicare Psychologist offers, what a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) and an Eating Disorder Plan (EDP) is, what alternative funding options are etc.  

For general information about the team of Psychologists in Melbourne or therapy appointments, please visit our Common FAQs.

 

Referral & Fees

  • The consultation fees for a standard Psychology therapy session range from $220 - $280. With Medicare rebates, the usual out of pocket cost is around $130 - $140 per session.

  • No referral is required to see a psychologist privately.

    If you wish to access Medicare rebates, you can obtain a referral and a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) or an Eating Disorder Treatment & Management Plan (EDP) from your GP. Usually, a long consultation is required for these plans to be prepared.

    If you see a Psychiatrist or a Paediatrician, only a referral letter is required.

  • A MHCP is a GP Mental Health Care Plan. It is a GP specific item and form to be completed by your GP.  A referral letter is required to accompany the MHCP for rebates to be eligible for Focussed Psychological Therapy with a Psychologist. You will need a re-referral letter after a course of treatment is completed, usually 6 sessions.

    With a valid MHCP and a referral letter, an individual is eligible up to 10 Medicare-subsidised Psychology sessions per calendar year (i.e., Jan – Dec).

     

    A MHCP does not expire, however, a review is often recommended after a course of treatment provided by a Psychologist, and / or if there is a change in an individual’s mental health conditions.

    See the referral guide below for details.

  • EDP are for individuals who have an eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and / or binge eating disorder etc.  This plan allows people to access comprehensive treatment and management for eating disorder therapy for a 12-month period, up to 40 sessions per calendar year (i.e., Jan – Dec).

    Individuals can get an EDP from their GP, Psychiatrist and Paediatrician. Clients will need to go back to their GP for a review after 10 Psychology sessions to access another10 sessions. Once a client has attended 20 Psychology sessions, a specialist review by a Psychiatrist or Paediatrician is required to access the additional 20 sessions for the year.

    The National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) has some good information about EDP.

  • A CDMP offers a structured approach to manage chronic conditions, which include a range of conditions such mental illness, trauma, ongoing & complex conditions, disabilities etc. You can read more about what chronic conditions are here.

    A CDMP allows rebates for up to 5 consultations per calendar year with Allied Health Professionals, such as Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists, Social Workers, Physiotherapists etc. 

    Similar to a MHCP, you can obtain a CDMP from a GP.

  • This is due to how Medicare funding is structured and does not reflect the relative experience and competency of a Psychologist.  Read more on the differences between General Psychologists and Clinical psychologists on our FAQs.

  • Fees are usually paid upfront after the appointment.  If you are eligible for Medicare rebates, they will be processed shortly after payment is taken.

  • The following items do not attract Medicare rebates:

    • Relationship counselling

    • Family therapy or meeting

    • Report writing / preparation

    • Questionnaires and psychometric testing

    • Late cancelation fees

    In general, Medicare rebates only apply to individual therapy session, whether it is in person or via Telehealth.

  • No. We do not usually offer bulk billing.

 
 
 
 

Other Funding Options

  • Yes. We accept clients funded by the NDIS, who are self or plan-managed. 

  • Yes. All the practitioners in the practice are registered to provide services for students with OSHC funding.  OSHC usually works similarly to Medicare, and you will need the above document to access rebates.  Please check with your Health Funds for updated information.

  • Yes. All the practitioners in the practice are registered with the major private health funds.  You usually will need to have “extras” cover for Psychology.  The rebates from each health fund may vary.  Some health funds require their clients to have exhausted their Medicare-funded sessions for the year before private health fund rebates are applicable for psychological or counselling services.  Please check with your health fund provider for details. 

  • Only certain practitioners in the practice provide services to clients with the above funding. Please check with our Client Support Team to find out their availabilities.