Medicare rebates through the Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) or Better Access initiative*
Rebates are available for all ages.
Obtain this plan from your GP or paediatrician (or a letter of referral from a psychiatrist or paediatrician will suffice).
A MHCP allows you to claim a partial rebate on the first 6 sessions. Please bring your MHCP referral with you to get a rebate. If after your 6 sessions you require another 4 sessions, your doctor will need to extend your referral and you will need to go back to the doctor to review this. After your 6th session Unique U Psychology will write a letter to your referring doctor and outline the progress of therapy; if another 4 sessions are needed the letter will request this. You can claim a partial rebate on up to 10 visits in a calendar year.
PLEASE NOTE: A Medicare rebate for a further 4 sessions is only possible with agreement from your referring doctor.
If using a MHCP the rebate is $122 and you will be $78 out of pocket.
Medicare Safety Net: Once you have spent a certain amount on medical expenses you have reached the Medicare Safety Net and Medicare will pay for 80% of your out of pocket expenses.
Contact Medicare Help Line for more information (telephone number: 132 150).
If your MHCP is dated before November 1st 2011 you are eligible for a rebate for up 18 sessions in the year.
Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) Medicare funding (Helping Children with Autism package)
This can be accessed for children under 13 years of age with a diagnosis of ASD (to be used by the time child turns 15) through a paediatrician or child psychiatrist.
The paediatrician will write up a treatment plan and will recommend how this plan is used.
You can claim a rebate for up to 20 sessions of therapy (20 total sessions can be shared between psychology, occupational therapy, and speech therapy).
An additional 4 sessions can be used towards diagnostic assessment. If a paediatrician/child psychiatrist suspects ASD they will refer the child to a psychologist, speech therapist and/or occupational therapist for further testing. After the therapists assess the child they will send their reports and clinical opinions back to the paediatrician, who will then advise of the diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.
Contact Medicare Help Line for more information (telephone number: 132 150).
Private Health Funds
Please contact your private health insurance provider to obtain details about rebates.