What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)?
The Better Access to Mental Health initiative by the Australian Government
Currently there are 3 different referral plans that are eligible to receive a Medicare rebate.
Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)
Eating Disorder Treatment Plan (EDP)
Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan
Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)
A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), which can give you rebates on sessions with a registered or clinical psychologist through Medicare.
An MHTP is usually created with your GP (General Practitioner). A MHTP may also include a referral to a psychologist. If you're eligible, you can claim Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions per year with a psychologist.
What’s the process to get one?
Book a longer appointment with your GP. Let them know you'd like to talk about your mental health.
Chat with your doctor about how you’ve felt - emotionally, mentally and physically.
If you meet the criteria, your GP will create a Mental Health Care Plan and refer you to a psychologist.
What’s covered?
With a valid referral, you’re eligible for up to 10 rebate sessions per calendar year for individual psychology sessions and 10 group psychology sessions.
For individual sessions, your GP will often refer you for 6 sessions first, and then review your progress for the remaining 4.
For group sessions, you can access 10 group sessions with one referral without the need to review.
A few important things to know
Psychologists don’t always bulk-billing there is sometimes a gap fee. The gap will be the amount of the session minus the rebate. For example, $200 a session - $145.25 = $54.75 of your own money.
You can’t claim a private health fund rebate and a Medicare rebate for the same session.
Medicare rebates are processed by Cetas Psychology for you.
Need help getting started?
If you’re not sure whether an MHCP is right for you, or you’d like help navigating the process, get in touch with us for more information.
