If you have been thinking about seeing a psychologist or counsellor but have hesitated because of cost, a mental health care plan Camberwell patients can access through their GP is worth understanding properly. It is one of the more genuinely useful pieces of the Medicare system, but it is also one of the least explained, which means a lot of people miss out simply because nobody walked them through it.
This article covers what a GP mental health plan actually is, how it works, what it covers, and how to start the conversation with your doctor.
What a Mental Health Care Plan Actually Is
A mental health care plan, sometimes called a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, is a structured plan your GP prepares with you when you are experiencing a mental health issue that would benefit from support such as psychology or counselling. It is not a prescription and not a diagnosis in itself. It is a documented plan that allows you to access a set number of Medicare-subsidised sessions with an allied mental health professional, such as a psychologist.
Who Can Get One
There is no single checklist of qualifying conditions. A mental health care plan can be appropriate for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, grief, relationship difficulties, or other mental health concerns your GP assesses as suitable for this kind of support. The plan is based on your GP’s clinical assessment of your situation, not a fixed list of diagnoses.
If you are unsure whether your situation “qualifies,” the simplest approach is to raise it with your GP directly. That conversation itself is often the most useful first step, regardless of what happens afterwards.
How Many Sessions It Covers
Under a mental health care plan, Medicare provides a rebate for a set number of individual sessions with an allied mental health professional per calendar year. Your GP will explain the current number of sessions available and how the referral process works, since these details are set by Medicare policy and can be updated over time.
It is worth knowing that a mental health care plan is not a one-off document. Your GP will typically want to review your progress partway through your sessions, which helps assess whether the plan is working and whether any adjustments are needed.
What the Appointment Involves
Getting a mental health care plan usually takes a longer appointment than a standard consultation, since your GP needs time to properly understand what you are experiencing. During this appointment, your doctor will typically:
- Ask about what you have been experiencing and for how long
- Discuss your history and any relevant background
- Talk through treatment options, which may include a referral for psychological therapy, and in some cases medication or other support depending on your situation
- Prepare the mental health care plan document together with you
- Provide a referral to a psychologist or other allied mental health professional, if that is the agreed next step
Because this appointment needs more time than a quick check-in, it is worth booking a longer consultation type rather than a standard appointment slot.
What Happens After the Plan Is Prepared
Once you have your plan and referral, you can book in with a psychologist or other eligible allied health professional of your choice. Many patients ask their GP for a recommendation, though you are also free to choose based on your own research, availability or personal preference, including matching with a practitioner who specialises in a particular area.
Your GP will usually want a review appointment at a set point in your course of sessions to check in on how things are progressing and whether the plan needs adjusting.
Cost and Bulk Billing
The GP appointment to prepare your mental health care plan is bulk billed for eligible Medicare patients at Camberwell Health, the same as our standard consultations. Whether your subsequent psychology sessions are bulk billed depends on the individual psychologist or practice you attend, since allied health providers set their own fees and billing practices. It is worth asking about this directly when booking with a psychologist.
Why This Conversation Is Worth Having
A surprising number of people who could benefit from a mental health care plan never ask about one, often because they are not sure it applies to them or they assume the process is complicated. In reality, it usually starts with one honest conversation during an appointment that might otherwise have been booked for something else entirely.
If you have been putting off getting support because of cost or because you were not sure where to start, this is exactly the kind of thing to raise with your GP.
Booking an Appointment at Camberwell Health
If you think a mental health care plan might help, book a longer consultation with one of our GPs to discuss it properly. You can book online via HotDoc, call us on (03) 9882 0055, or visit us at 676 Burke Road, Camberwell.
If you are in immediate distress or crisis, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or, in an emergency, call 000.
This article is general information only. Please speak with your GP about whether a mental health care plan is appropriate for your circumstances.
Author bio: Dr Chitra Perera is a general practitioner at Camberwell Health (MBBS FRACGP). View her doctor profile for more information or to book an appointment.