Health News
Mental Health Support: Psychologist, Psychiatrist or Counsellor – What’s the difference?
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What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
Your first step to accessing mental health treatment
Your doctor will work with you to map out a treatment plan that explains what services you need and when, as well as your goals for each service and any additional treatment options suitable for you. Additionally, your plan may include strategies for managing crisis situations or preventing relapses.
Why do you need one?
Providing ongoing care and support
Everyone’s needs are different, so your personalised treatment plan puts down in writing the support you can expect and ensures that everyone on your team is clear about their responsibilities. With a valid plan, along with a valid Medicare card, you can receive Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions with eligible mental health professionals – reducing the cost of treatment.
Pricing
How much do appointments cost?
Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) Assessment $120
A Medicare card is required to access rebates for this consult, and to obtain a Medicare subsidised Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). We will lodge the claim for your consult immediately after your video consultation, however your out-of-pocket costs may depend on the outcome of your appointment, and your eligibility as assessed by Medicare. Medicare rebates on this service range from $100.20 rebate ($19.80 out of pocket) where a MHTP is provided and $78.95 rebate ($41.05 out of pocket) where a MHTP is not provided.
Mental Health Treatment (MHTP) Plan Review $120
A Medicare card is required to access rebates for this consult. We will lodge the claim for your consult immediately after your video consultation. Your eligibility will be assessed by Medicare. Currently $78.95 rebate ($41.05 out of pocket).
Private Fee Mental Health Consultation $120
If you don’t have a Medicare card, you will not be eligible for a rebated assessment or a Medicare subsidised Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). A full fee per appointment will apply to speak with a mental health trained Doctor about your mental health concerns.
How it works
A simple 5-step process
1
Book a video consultation with a Doctor
To speak with a Doctor about a Mental Health Care Treatment Plan over video, make sure you’ve got a suitable device with video and audio capabilities set up before your appointment time.
2
Answer a few quick questions
You’ll need to read over a list of statements and pick a number (0-3) which indicates how much the statement applied to you over the past week. You don’t need to spend too much time on each question, there are no right or wrong answers.
3
Chat with your Doctor about a plan
Your doctor will assess and if appropriate, work with you to set goals, and develop a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), or they may discuss other treatment options as more appropriate for you.
4
Get referred
Your doctor may provide a referral to a psychologist, psychiatrist or other mental health professional. The mental healthcare provider you attend for your treatment is up to you.
5
Come back for review
Once you have completed 6 sessions with a mental health professional, you will come back for review with our doctors. If appropriate, your doctor will refer you for another 4 sessions (the MHTP allows a total of 10 per calendar year).
Find a time that suits you to talk about a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know
Who is eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
A qualified healthcare provider, such as a GP, must assess your eligibility for a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). This assessment includes evaluating your mental health condition, treatment needs, and goals. You will need a valid Medicare card to be assessed for a MHTP, and to receive a MHTP that is eligible for rebates.
If you don’t have a Medicare card, you will not be eligible for a rebated assessment or a Medicare subsidised MHTP.
If you are eligible for Medicare but do not have a Medicare card, you can apply for one through the Department of Human Services. Eligibility criteria for Medicare include being an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen living in Australia. Once you have a Medicare card, you can proceed with requesting a MHTP.
While a Medicare card is typically the primary means of accessing government-funded mental health services in Australia, it’s important to consider other avenues to receive the support and care you may need.
You can book a private fee appointment and speak with one of our mental health trained Doctors about your mental health concerns at any time. They can still consult with you about a general plan for your safety and wellbeing, that doesn’t include rebated sessions.
If ongoing costs are an issue, they may be able to guide you on low-cost or free mental health services provided by community organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), or public mental health clinics.
If you’re in crisis or feeling unsafe, please call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
What does Medicare cover for mental health?
A mental health treatment plan lets you claim up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions with a mental health professional each calendar year.
To start with, your doctor will refer you for up to 6 sessions at a time. If you need more, they can refer you for further sessions at your follow up appointment.
Health professionals set their own fees, so Medicare may only cover some of the cost. When you make your appointment, remember to ask how much you’ll pay and how much of the cost Medicare will cover.
If you have private health insurance, you may be able to make a claim for the cost of your appointment. Check with your insurer.
You can book an assessment for a Mental Health Treatment Plan online. Rebates apply for Medicare card holders.
Will I get a referral as part of my mental health appointment?
If necessary, your Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) plan can include referrals to mental health specialists or allied health professionals, ensuring you receive comprehensive care. This may include access to psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or occupational therapists.
For more info on some of these specialties, check out our article ‘Psychologist, Psychiatrist or Counsellor – What’s the difference?’.
You can book an assessment for a Mental Health Treatment Plan online. Rebates apply for Medicare card holders.
Will I receive a prescription as part of my mental health appointment?
If your doctor believes medication should form part of your treatment plan, they may prescribe medication. Alternatively, they may provide a referral to a psychiatrist, and the psychiatrist may prescribe medication.
Your doctor/s may suggest multiple options for your treatment; however, medication does not always form part of a mental health treatment plan.
You can book an assessment for a Mental Health Treatment Plan online. Rebates apply for Medicare card holders.
How much will my appointment cost and how do I pay?
Doctors on Demand consultations are private fee services, except where Medicare rebates are indicated. You can view our full pricing schedule via the table below.
| Appointment Type | Service Fee | Booking Fee* | GST | Medicare Rebate^ | Total Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Appointment – Business Hours Available from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. | $60.00 | $2.95 | – | – | $62.95 | Book Now |
| Standard Appointment – After Hours Available from 6pm to 8am Monday to Friday & all day Saturday, Sunday and National Public Holidays. | $90.00 | $2.95 | – | – | $92.95 | Book Now |
| Mental Health Care Plan Assessment (Medicare Card Required) A Medicare card is required to access rebates for this consult, and to obtain a Medicare subsidised Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). We will lodge the claim for your consult immediately after your video consultation, however your out-of-pocket costs may depend on the outcome of your appointment, and your eligibility as assessed by Medicare. Medicare rebates on this service range from $100.20 rebate ($19.80 out of pocket) where a MHTP is provided and $78.95 rebate ($41.05 out of pocket) where a MHTP is not provided. | $120.00 | – | – | $78.95 to $100.20 | $19.80 to $41.05 | Book Now |
| Mental Health Care Plan Review (Medicare Card Required) A Medicare card is required to access rebates for this consult. We will lodge the claim for your consult immediately after your video consultation, however your eligibility will be assessed by Medicare. The applicable rebate is $78.95 rebate ($41.05 out of pocket). | $120.00 | – | – | $78.95 | $41.05 | Book Now |
| Private Fee Mental Health Consultation If you don’t nave a Medicare card, you Will not be eligible for a bulk billed assessment or a Medicare subsidised Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). A private fee per appointment will apply to speak with a mental health trained Doctor about any other mental health concerns. | $120.00 | – | – | – | $120.00 | Book Now |
| Smoking Cessation Available from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. | $19.90 | – | – | – | $19.90 | Book Now |
| QuickScript Repeat Prescriptions Available 24/7. | $19.90 | – | – | – | $19.90 | Book Now |
| Preparation of Medical Reports Medical reports regarding a patient’s treatment and/or condition requested by patients, and/or third parties with a patient’s consent. | $120.00 | – | $12.00 | – | $132.00 | Contact Us |
| Provision of Medical Records Access to full medical records maintained by Doctors on Demand requested by patients, and/or third parties with a patient’s consent | $25.00 | – | $2.50 | – | $27.50 | Contact Us |
In July 2020 the Government announced changes to Medicare rebates for telehealth; That is, if we have not seen a patient face-to-face within the previous 12 months we will not be able to offer Medicare rebates for most of our services. Being a fully online service, we are wholly unable to meet this criteria.
Please note – the face-to-face requirement does not apply to:
- mental health services
We do offer a Medicare eligible service in this area.
If you have a benefit code provided by your Insurer or Employer, simply enter your code in the ‘Redeem a Benefit’ section when making your appointment to access your services for reduced or no fees.
*We build and maintain our own virtual health platform so we can ensure we have the best tools available for both clinical and patient experience. A booking fee of $2.95 per appointment supports investment in our technology and the development of new healthcare services.
^Your out-of-pocket costs may depend on the outcome of your appointment, and your eligibility as assessed by Medicare.
How much do psychology appointments cost, after I get my Mental Health Treatment Plan?
Providers will set their own fees, so it’s best to check directly with them on what you will pay to access their services. This includes what you may pay upfront, and what you will get back from Medicare, so you can calculate your out-of-pocket expenses.
As a guide, here is a pricing table from our online psychology partner, Recharge Wellness.
*Doctors on Demand has partnered with online psychology providers and may receive sponsorship fees.
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Still need a Mental Health Treatment Plan? You can book an assessment online. Rebates apply for Medicare card holders.
What if I don’t get a Mental Health Treatment Plan after my consultation?
A rebated Mental Health Treatment Plan can only be issued to patients with a valid Medicare card at the discretion of the treating Doctor. If you are not issued a plan, the Doctor will give you their reasons for not doing so and suggest alternatives for your care.
If you believe this is not the best outcome for your care, ensure you have a conversation with your doctor about why you believe a rebated Mental Health Treatment Plan would meet your needs.
If you don’t have a valid Medicare card, the Doctor can still consult with you about a plan for your mental health, that doesn’t include rebated sessions. You can see the pricing for our private services on our mental health page and, as a guide for private psychology fees, you can also check out the pricing table from our online psychology partner, Recharge Wellness.*
If ongoing costs are an issue, your Doctor may be able to guide you on low-cost or free mental health services provided by community organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), or public mental health clinics.
If you’re in crisis or feeling unsafe, please call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
*Doctors on Demand has partnered with online psychology providers and may receive sponsorship fees.
What next?
Find a mental health professional
The Doctor could provide a referral to a psychologist, psychiatrist or other mental health professional. You can choose who you are referred to, but you will have the option of choosing our online partner, Recharge Wellness.
With no wait times, you can speak to them within 24 hours.
Make sure you check with your provider about any out-of-pocket fees associated with their services, if any, after the Medicare rebate has been applied.
Doctors on Demand has partnered with online psychology providers and may receive sponsorship fees.
Mental Health is important. Talk to a Doctor now.