Medicare rebates are available for psychological treatment by registered psychologists under the Australian Government’s Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative. This scheme provides considerable assistance to people living with mental heath problems, allowing them greater access to psychologists and providing more affordable mental healthcare. What mental health problems can be treated under What is a psychologist? the Better Access initiative? Psychologists study the way people feel, think, act and interact. ‘Mental disorder’ is a term used to describe a range of clinically Through a range of strategies and therapies they aim to reduce diagnosable disorders that significantly impact on a person’s distress and to enhance and promote emotional wellbeing. emotions, thoughts, social skills and decision-making. The Better Psychologists are experts in human behaviour, Access initiative covers people with mental disorders arising from: and have studied the brain, memory, learning and human development. Psychologists can assist people who are having Alcohol use disorder difficulty controlling their emotions, thinking and behaviour, Anxiety disorders including those with mental health problems such as anxiety and Adjustment disorder depression, serious and enduring mental illness, addictive Attention deficit disorder behaviours and childhood behaviour disorders. Bereavement disorder All psychologists are legally required to be registered with the Bipolar disorder national registration board, the Psychology Board of Australia, in the Conduct disorder same way medical practitioners must be registered. This means that Co-occurring anxiety and depression they must be competent and follow a strict Code Depression of Conduct. Drug use disorder Not all counsellors or therapists are registered psychologists. Eating disorders Seeing someone who is registered ensures you receive high quality Obsessive compulsive disorder ethical treatment. Panic disorder Phobic disorder If I have a mental health problem, how can a Posttraumatic stress disorder psychologist help me? Psychotic disorders Psychologists specialise in providing therapies for mental health Schizophrenia problems. These therapies are effective at treating common mental Sexual disorders health conditions including anxiety and depression and most Sleep problems childhood problems. Can I access any psychologist? Can I go directly to a psychologist to receive treatment through Medicare? Under the scheme you can only see a registered psychologist with a Medicare Provider Number who you have been referred to by your You must be referred by your GP, your psychiatrist or paediatrician. GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician. Your GP will need to complete a detailed mental health assessment and prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan before referring you to a psychologist. You should book a longer session with your GP to → Continued enable time for this. 1
Medicare rebates are available for psychological treatment by registered psychologists under the Australian Government’s Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative. This scheme provides considerable assistance to people living with mental heath problems, allowing them greater access to psychologists and providing more affordable mental healthcare. What is a psychologist? Psychologists study the way people feel, think, act and interact. Through a range of strategies and therapies they aim to reduce distress and to enhance and promote emotional wellbeing. Psychologists are experts in human behaviour, and have studied the brain, memory, learning and human development. Psychologists can assist people who are having difficulty controlling their emotions, thinking and behaviour, including those with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, serious and enduring mental illness, addictive behaviours and childhood behaviour disorders. All psychologists are legally required to be registered with the national registration board, the Psychology Board of Australia, in the same way medical practitioners must be registered. This means that they must be competent and follow a strict Code of Conduct. Not all counsellors or therapists are registered psychologists. Seeing someone who is registered ensures you receive high quality ethical treatment. If I have a mental health problem, how can a psychologist help me? Psychologists specialise in providing therapies for mental health problems. These therapies are effective at treating common mental health conditions including anxiety and depression and most childhood problems. Can I go directly to a psychologist to receive treatment through Medicare? You must be referred by your GP, your psychiatrist or paediatrician. Your GP will need to complete a detailed mental health assessment and prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan before referring you to a psychologist. You should book a longer session with your GP to enable time for this. What mental health problems can be treated under the Better Access initiative? ‘Mental disorder’ is a term used to describe a range of clinically diagnosable disorders that significantly impact on a person’s emotions, thoughts, social skills and decision-making. The Better Access initiative covers people with mental disorders arising from: Alcohol use disorder Anxiety disorders Adjustment disorder Attention deficit disorder Bereavement disorder Bipolar disorder Conduct disorder Co-occurring anxiety and depression Depression Drug use disorder Eating disorders Obsessive compulsive disorder Panic disorder Phobic disorder Posttraumatic stress disorder Psychotic disorders Schizophrenia Sexual disorders Sleep problems Can I access any psychologist? Under the scheme you can only see a registered psychologist with a Medicare Provider Number who you have been referred to by your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician. Continued → 1
Health-and-Pysch-2013-medicare-assistance-fact-sheet-Psychologists.docx