Key words and what they mean:
Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)
Medicare
Rebate
Bulk Billing
Gap
Referral
This is a plan for people with a mental health disorder which your doctor can write for you. The plan identifies what type of health care you need and explains what you and your doctor have agreed you are aiming to achieve. It may also refer you to local mental health services.
If you have a MHTP you are able to access Medicare rebates for up to 20 individual psychological appointments per calendar year. You can’t get Medicare rebates for all the sessions in one go. After your first 6 appointments, you need to see your doctor again for a mental health plan review. They can then decide if you need a referral for further sessions.
Medicare is Australia’s national health insurance system that helps people to pay for many medical and allied health services.
Rebate is the percentage Medicare will pay of the full price of a session with the therapist/psychologist.
This means you don't have to pay for your appointment with a health professional. The cost is fully paid by Medicare.
The amount left that you will need to pay for a session with the therapist/psychologist. This is the amount leftover after Medicare has paid a percentage of the full cost.
The amount left that you will need to pay for a session with the therapist/psychologist. This is the amount leftover after Medicare has paid a percentage of the full cost.