How much is Group Therapy?
Summary
Ten subsidised sessions a year with a valid Medicare card, Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) and referral from your medical practitioner - how good!
Understanding the Costs of Group Psychological Therapy Under the Australian Medicare System
Group psychological therapy is a valuable resource for individuals seeking mental health support. In Australia, these services can be made more affordable through the Medicare system, provided you have an eligible Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) and a referral from your General Practitioner (GP). Sound good? Read on for more information.
What is a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)?
A Mental Health Care Plan is a plan for people with mental health concerns, usually prepared by a GP. It identifies the type of mental health care you need and sets out the goals for your treatment. This plan makes you eligible for Medicare rebates for psychological services, including individual therapy and/or group therapy—remember, you can have both.
Medicare Coverage for Group Therapy
Under the Australian Medicare system, individuals with valid MHCP and GP referrals can access group psychological therapy at a significantly reduced cost or sometimes with no out-of-pocket costs. Medicare rebates are available for up to 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year. That means every 1 January, it refreshes to a new 10. A registered psychologist or other eligible allied health professional must provide these sessions.
Costs and Rebates
The cost of group therapy sessions can vary depending on the provider and location. However, with the Medicare rebate, the out-of-pocket expenses are considerably lower. Here’s a general breakdown of our costs
Medicare Rebate: As of 2024, the Medicare rebate for group therapy sessions with a clinical psychologist is $36.00 -49.05
Session Fees: $36.00 - $49.05
Out-of-Pocket Costs: After the Medicare rebate, your out-of-pocket costs will be $0 for those ten eligible sessions. Any additional sessions will be $55
Checking with your specific provider is essential, as fees can vary. Some may offer bulk-billing services, where the Medicare rebate covers the entire cost of the session, resulting in no out-of-pocket expenses. Others will have a ‘gap’ fee you may need to pay.
How to Access Group Therapy
Visit Your GP: Discuss your mental health concerns with your GP. They will assess your situation and, if appropriate, prepare a Mental Health Care Plan for you.
Get a Referral: Your GP will refer you to a clinical psychologist or an eligible group therapy provider.
Book Your Sessions: Contact us for group sessions with us or your provider of choice.
Benefits of Group Therapy
Group therapy offers numerous benefits, including shared experiences, mutual support, diverse perspectives, and the development of social skills. It can be particularly effective for those dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues.
Sounds good? Contact us now!
