If you’ve been struggling with your mental health and someone has mentioned a Mental Health Care Plan, you might be wondering what it actually is and whether it’s something you need.
The short answer: it’s a Medicare-funded plan that gives you access to subsidised psychology sessions. It’s one of the most practical things your GP can do for you, and it’s far more straightforward to get than most people realise.
Here’s how it works.
What Is a Mental Health Care Plan?
A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is a formal plan prepared by your GP that outlines your mental health concerns and sets out a treatment approach. Once it’s in place, you’re eligible for Medicare rebates on sessions with a psychologist, registered mental health social worker, or other allied mental health professional.
Under Medicare, a Mental Health Care Plan gives you up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year with a rebate applied to each one. This significantly reduces the out-of-pocket cost of seeing a psychologist.
Who Can Get One?
A Mental Health Care Plan is available to anyone with a diagnosable mental health condition. This includes:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Bipolar disorder
- And a range of other conditions
You don’t need to be in crisis to access one. If you’ve been struggling for a while, feeling flat, anxious, overwhelmed, or just not yourself, it’s worth having the conversation with your GP.
How Do You Get One?
Step 1: Book a longer appointment with your GP
A Mental Health Care Plan requires a dedicated appointment. Let the receptionist know when you book so enough time is set aside. At Southport Metro, our team can arrange this for you.
Step 2: Talk to your GP
Your GP will ask about what you’ve been experiencing, how it’s affecting your daily life, and your history. This isn’t a test. The more openly you can talk about what’s been going on, the more useful the plan will be.
Step 3: Your GP prepares the plan
Your GP will document your goals and outline a treatment approach. This is then used to refer you to an appropriate mental health professional.
Step 4: See your psychologist
With the plan in place, you can book with a psychologist and claim the Medicare rebate on each session. At Southport Metro, we have an onsite psychologist, which means your GP and psychologist can work together directly on your care.
Step 5: Review appointments
After 6 sessions, you’ll need a review appointment with your GP to access the remaining sessions for the year. This is a normal part of the process.
What About the Cost?
The Medicare rebate for psychology sessions under a Mental Health Care Plan is currently around $96.65 per session for a standard 50-minute appointment. Psychologists set their own fees, so there may be a gap depending on who you see.
At Southport Metro, we can talk you through what to expect in terms of out-of-pocket costs when you come in.
Do You Need a Referral First?
No. Your GP prepares the Mental Health Care Plan directly. Just book an appointment at Southport Metro and we’ll take care of the rest.
Book at Southport Metro Doctors
We’re open 7 days a week at Australia Fair Metro Shopping Centre in Southport. Our GPs and onsite psychologist work together to make sure you get the right support.
Book online or call us on 07 5612 7830.
This article is for general informational purposes only. Please speak with your GP for advice tailored to your personal circumstances.