Question 1

How many psychology sessions do I get with a MHTP?

Accepted Answer

With a MHTP and referral from a doctor you may be eligible for up to 10 rebated psychology sessions per calendar year. This gives you access — subsidised by Medicare — to certain psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers.

Question 2

What is the rebate with a Mental Health Care Plan?

Accepted Answer

A MHCP allows patients who hold a valid Medicare card access to treatment for mental health concerns at a subsidised rate.

As at 11 October 2024, if you have an eligible MHCP and referral from a doctor, the government will provide you with a rebate for accessing psychological services:

If you see a Registered Psychologist, you will get back $96.65 if the service is at least 50 minutes
If you see a Clinical Psychologist, you will get back $141.85 if the service is at least 50 minutes

Question 3

Can I access all my psychology sessions at once?

Accepted Answer

You aren’t able to access all 10 sessions at once. To start with, your doctor will refer you for 6 sessions. After your 6th session, if more sessions are necessary, your psychologist will need to write a letter to your doctor for a mental health plan review.

If approved, your doctor will send a letter (or give one to you) letting the psychologist know you have been approved for 4 more sessions. As with your original Mental Health Treatment Plan, this will also need to include a mental health referral letter.

Question 4

How long is my Mental Health Care Plan valid for?

Accepted Answer

Your mental health treatment plan does not expire. You can begin using it at any time for the number of services you are referred for.¹

If you have unused services on your referral at the end of the calendar year (1 January to 31 December), you can use them the next year.²

¹ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-treatment-plan#expire

² https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/allied-health-referrals-for-mental-health-care-plans

Question 5

Will the GP select a psychologist for me, or can I choose one afterwards?

Accepted Answer

You can choose a psychologist yourself after getting your Mental Health Care Plan. Your GP may recommend a psychologist or mental health professional but you are free to select someone who best suits your needs.

Question 6

Will I receive a prescription as part of my mental health appointment?

Accepted Answer

A prescription may be provided if your GP determines that medication is necessary as part of your treatment. However, a Mental Health Care Plan itself does not include a prescription.

Question 7

How do I access rebates with a MHCP?

Accepted Answer

Book an appointment with a GP (either via telehealth or in-person) for a Mental Health Care Plan and referral letter
If seeing an online psychologist, upload or email your MHCP and referral letter (as applicable) or take them with you to your in-person appointment
Complete and pay for your session and afterwards you will receive your rebate back into your account, if deemed eligible.
After your 6th session, if you require more sessions, book an appointment to see your GP again for a Mental Health Care Plan review.

Question 8

What can I book a telehealth appointment for?

Accepted Answer

Telehealth allows a GP to provide care to you without an in-person consultation. Services GPs can provide through telehealth include, but are not limited to:

Medical advice relating to common ailments (including but not limited to allergies, asthma, bladder infections, bronchitis, cellulitis, cold & flu, diarrhea, infections, respiratory infections, sinusitis, sore throat, UTIs and vomiting)
Medical advice relating to general health concerns
Prescriptions (new or repeat)
Medical certificates
Pathology, radiology or specialist referrals
Routine chronic disease check ups

Question 9

What do I need to enable a video consult?

Accepted Answer

For a video consult any smartphone or computer with a camera, speaker, and microphone will work. Your telehealth video consult will open in a web browser so there’s no need to download any additional software.

Question 10

What if I miss the doctor’s video call?

Accepted Answer

For an on-demand appointment, you should join the video link as soon as you receive it. If you haven't joined by the time the doctor is ready, they will try to call you. Don't worry if you miss the call. The support team will contact you to fix any issues and reconnect you with the doctor. If you have any questions about your appointment, you can always reach out to the support team for help.

Question 11

What services do online doctors offer?

Accepted Answer

Online doctors offer a range of services to help with your health needs:

Medical advice for various health concerns
Digital prescriptions sent via SMS
Online medical certificates for work or school (up to 7 days)
Referrals to specialists like paediatricians or cardiologists
Referrals for tests such as blood work or X-rays

All of these services are available from the comfort of your home!

Question 12

What happens after my online doctor appointment?

Accepted Answer

If needed, the doctor may send you a digital prescription, provide an online medical certificate, or refer you to a specialist. They might also recommend tests if further investigation is necessary.

Question 13

Can I make a Medicare claim after this appointment?

Accepted Answer

There may be specific instances in which you can claim a Medicare or other rebate for telehealth services, but these are defined by Government, and change from time to time. Your eligibility for this will be determined at the time of your appointment and is at the doctors discretion. For telehealth only providers, Medicare rebates are generally not available. For local GPs offering telehealth services, Medicare rebates are generally limited to where you have an existing relationship as defined by:

where you are registered in MyMedicare and the service is provided by your registered practice
when you have previously had a face-to-face appointment with the GP performing the service or another GP at the same practice in the last 12 months
where a practice is a participant in the Approved Medical Deputising Service program, and the Approved Medical Deputising Service provider employing the medical practitioner has a formal agreement with a general practice that has provided at least one face-to-face service to the patient in the 12 months preceding the telehealth attendance.

Under legislation, the existing relationship requirement does not apply in some limited situations which can be found on the Medicare Benefits Schedule website.

Question 14

What's the cancellation policy for telehealth appointments?

Accepted Answer

Telehealth consultations require a lot of coordination, so please try to keep your appointment.

If you need to cancel, please let the provider know immediately because rescheduling telehealth consultations can be more complicated than rescheduling a face-to-face appointment.

Please note that, if cancelling your scheduled appointment with 24-7Medcare within 60 minutes of the scheduled time, you may still be charged the full fee.

Mental Health Care Plan

Privately billed

Bulk billed

What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan?

How many psychology sessions do I get with a MHTP?

What is the rebate with a Mental Health Care Plan?

Can I access all my psychology sessions at once?

How it works

Choose your appointment and book with confidence

Proceed with your consult

Receive your documents

Book with a psychologist of your choice

Frequently Asked Questions About Mental Health Care Plan