Medicare Rebates
On 1 November, 2006, the Australian Government introduced changes to Medicare to increase access to psychologists for people with mental health conditions. These conditions include anxiety disorders (for example, phobias and OCD) and depression amongst others.
Under these changes, people who are being managed by a GP under a new GP Mental Health Care Plan or a psychiatrist assessment and management plan, or on direct referral by a psychiatrist, or for children, on referral from a paediatrician, are eligible to receive a Medicare rebate for up to 12 sessions (per calendar year) with a psychologist (who has a Medicare Provider Number).
There are different rebates depending on the length of the session and whether the psychologist is registered as a generalist or specialist provider.
For more information talk to your GP, contact Medicare Australia on 132 011, or visit the Australian Psychological Society's website.