What is a mental health care plan?

In this article

• What is a mental health care plan?
• What is a mental health treatment plan?
• How to get a mental health care plan
• How to use a mental health care plan with Medicare
• When will you be able to get a psychologist?
• Alternatives to a mental health care plan

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What is a mental health care plan?

A mental health care plan, also known as a mental health treatment plan in Australia, is a support plan you create with your GP that helps you access subsidised sessions with mental health professionals. 

The plan is an important first step toward accessing the help that you need.

With a mental health care plan, you may be eligible for Medicare subsidised sessions with an allied mental health professional, such as a psychologist, social worker or occupational therapist. The number of sessions you can access depends on your circumstances and is determined by your GP or referring doctor, who will review your progress and provide further referrals if needed within Medicare set annual limits.

If you can find a psychologist that bulk bills, Medicare can cover the full cost of appointments.

If you can’t, Medicare will cover part of the cost.

How to get a mental health care plan

You can begin by making an appointment with your GP.² If you don’t currently have a GP, you can find one by:

• Asking a friend or family member whether they have a GP to recommend.
• Searching Healthdirect
• Searching your area at HotDoc website or app.

When you make an appointment:

• Let the clinic know that you would like a longer appointment² - you have the option to select your appointment time, particularly through the app or website. 
• Let your doctor know what is going on for you. Be specific, and know that except in exceptional cases, what you talk about will be confidential.²

In the appointment you might also be asked to:

• Fill out a simple questionnaire about your health in recent times.
• Make another appointment to check whether a mental health care plan is right for you.²
• Discuss medications that might help with depression or anxiety.³

Your doctor will write a mental health care plan with you that include goals for your mental health that you agree on together.⁴ As part of the plan, you might be referred to:²

• A psychologist for talk therapy.
• A psychiatrist to speak about medication.
• Another health care specialist such as an Occupational Therapist.

What to expect when you see a psychologist

How to use a mental health care plan with Medicare

Accessing your Medicare rebate is simple with a mental health care plan.³

Things to keep in mind:³

• You can choose the professional that you see.
• Your doctor can help you find the right specialist.
• You will not get access to all sessions at once. At first you will have six sessions.⁴
• You will need to make another session with your doctor to review your plan and access more sessions.⁴

The Medicare rebate covers either all, or part, of the cost of the sessions you are entitled to. The sessions might be:²

• Bulk billed, meaning the entire cost is covered.
• The MHCP might cover the entire cost of the session.
• There might be a ‘gap,’ meaning you will pay an amount for the session.
• If you have extras cover on your private health insurance and have used all of your mental health plan sessions, you may be able to claim benefits for consultations with a psychologist or clinical psychologist.

Specialists might charge a lower rate if you:

• Have a student card.
• Have a Health Care Card.
• Have a pension card.

How to claim the rebate with Medicare

The simplest way to claim is at the specialist on the day of your appointment. To do this you must: 

• Show your Medicare card,
• Have given your specialist a copy of your mental health care plan.

You can find the process of making a claim online here.

How long does a mental health care plan last?

• Mental Health Treatment Plans do not expire.
• Referrals to specialists do not expire at the end of the year. 
• If you do not use all your sessions during the calendar year, you can use them the next year.

When will you be able to see a psychologist?

You might not be able to see a specialist straight away. Psychologists are in demand and wait times can vary.⁴

• More Aussies are using public mental health care (1 in 10 last year, up 7% from 2010).³
• Since the pandemic, 90% of psychologists in the APS reported an increase in wait times. Half reported a wait time of longer than 3 months.⁵
• Even emergency departments are struggling. Only 63% of mental health related emergency department admissions were seen on time last year.⁴

Alternatives to a mental health care plan

Private health insurance

What if you need more sessions than you can get covered with a mental health care plan? Or what if you aren’t diagnosed with a mental health disorder?

In these cases, private health insurance can help cover you for psychology appointments.

It can also cover nutrition and dietetics, physiotherapy, and other services that can improve your health in general – which can have a big positive impact on mental health.

Support resources and apps

Apps may not be the answer, but there are some great options out there that provide confidential support when you need it most, often at no charge. You can also find some great resources on our Mental Health Hub.

If you need help right now, services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in Australia:

• Lifeline
• Beyond Blue Support Service
• Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)
• Kids helpline
• Suicide Call Back Service

If you are experiencing an emergency, always call 000.