COVID-19 Telehealth Fees
During the COVID-19 crisis, special provisions are being made to offer sessions via a secure internet video platform or telephone. See this link for tips on how to maximize your telehealth experience. GP's are also doing GP Mental Health Care Plans and reviews via Telehealth so you do not need to risk your safety by visiting them in person.
As per usual, before allowing for any rebates from either Medicare or Health Funds, the cost of a 55 minute consultation is $220. Full payment is required at the appointment and may be paid by phoning our secretary on 0421 777 856 after your session.
As per usual, before allowing for any rebates from either Medicare or Health Funds, the cost of a 55 minute consultation is $220. Full payment is required at the appointment and may be paid by phoning our secretary on 0421 777 856 after your session.
Medicare Rebates
All those with a current Mental Health Care Plan are eligible for a Medicare rebate for telehealth consults. The government has agreed to extend the telehealth rebate up until 31 December 2021. Up until recently, only 10 sessions per year were available under a “GP Mental Health Care Plan” (GPMHCP). However, from 9 October 2020 until 30 June 2022, 10 additional individual psychological therapy sessions are now available each calendar year to clients whose mental health has been adversely impacted by COVID-19. So each year, you may be referred for 10 sessions, and if COVID has impacted your mental health, up to 20 sessions per calender year if required.
If you are referred with a GPMHCP or by your Psychiatrist, your out of pocket expenses for 55 minute consultations will be $90.45. To access Medicare rebates, please ensure your GP referral is up to date prior to your session and that Penny has been sent a copy.
I realise that during the current COVID-19 pandemic, people's financial situation may have changed, so if the gap fee would cause you genuine hardship, please discuss your circumstances with Penny to negotiate a reduced gap fee.
Unfortunately, Medicare regulations do not allow us to take the gap fee as payment for the session. Once you have paid for the session, your medicare rebate will reimbursed back into your bank account.
Private Health Fund Rebates
The majority of Australian health funds have agreed to provide full or partial rebates for teleconsultations provided by psychologists during the COVID-19 outbreak.
This is subject to the following conditions:
All those with a current Mental Health Care Plan are eligible for a Medicare rebate for telehealth consults. The government has agreed to extend the telehealth rebate up until 31 December 2021. Up until recently, only 10 sessions per year were available under a “GP Mental Health Care Plan” (GPMHCP). However, from 9 October 2020 until 30 June 2022, 10 additional individual psychological therapy sessions are now available each calendar year to clients whose mental health has been adversely impacted by COVID-19. So each year, you may be referred for 10 sessions, and if COVID has impacted your mental health, up to 20 sessions per calender year if required.
If you are referred with a GPMHCP or by your Psychiatrist, your out of pocket expenses for 55 minute consultations will be $90.45. To access Medicare rebates, please ensure your GP referral is up to date prior to your session and that Penny has been sent a copy.
I realise that during the current COVID-19 pandemic, people's financial situation may have changed, so if the gap fee would cause you genuine hardship, please discuss your circumstances with Penny to negotiate a reduced gap fee.
Unfortunately, Medicare regulations do not allow us to take the gap fee as payment for the session. Once you have paid for the session, your medicare rebate will reimbursed back into your bank account.
Private Health Fund Rebates
The majority of Australian health funds have agreed to provide full or partial rebates for teleconsultations provided by psychologists during the COVID-19 outbreak.
This is subject to the following conditions:
- The patient is undergoing an existing course of treatment, and has seen the psychologist providing the teleconsultation over the past six months, or
- For new patients, the telepsychology service has been recommended by their general practitioner