Feel like such an idiot!

[MissJ94]

Ive just had my second appointment with the psychologist.

I feel it went really well, was able to open up more about a few things and got good feedback and solutions to a few more issues that have been bothering me.

It felt good to talk about those things and i really did leave with my head held high sort of thing.

That was until i got to reception to book my next 2 sessions.

I dont know who had put the idea in my head but i was genuinely under the impression that with my mental health care plan i had 6 free sessions with the psychologist! I dont know who had planted that thought but thats what i genuinely believed! Looking back i realise how stupid i was!

The lady at reception said i had just walked out without paying last time and that i needed to pay for both then and there. This was despite seeing the reception lady last time about my next appointment and nothing was mentioned about having to pay anything!

Usually that wouldnt be an issue. Id just apologise for what happened, pay whats due and go on with my day. But because ive been on placement the last 2 weeks and unable to work im literally broke right now. Have $53 until wednesday when i get my FTB payment which even then isnt much! After that its next thursday ill get paid all of just about nothing because ive had to be off work for placement. I dont get paid for completing placement and centrelink wont let me go on job seeker even though im now earning well under their max.

The doom came straight over me as i stood there explaining this to the lady who really didnt give a crap and just needed me to pay now.

After promising id be back on wednesday to pay both fees i finally walked out almost crying. Got into my car and all the emotions just came right up and in an instant i felt like self harming if i had the means then and there.

As i drove home i just cried and still am. How could i be SO stupid to not realise that of course its not free! How had no one told me this sooner! Why did no one call me about it in the 2 weeks its been since my last appointment! My head hurts from crying now!

Im always such an honest person and it really hits me when someones trying to say otherwise! I genuinely didnt know!

So now ive gone from feeling pretty good to absolute crap.

Of course ill be there first thing wednesday morning!

I almost feel too ashamed to even go back for my next appointment..

What hurts even more is that when faced with something sudden like this, it was self harm my mind first went to..

[Croix]

Dear MissJ~

I'm afraid your psychologist is able to charge whatever they wish, the Federal Government under a Medicare Mental Health Plan organized by your doctor will pay a Medicare Rebate for such services up to a fixed number of visits in any one calendar year.

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

Unfortunatly, unless your psychologist only bulk bills there will be a gap between what is actually charged and the Medicare Rebate, and you have to pay this yourself (unless you have certain types of private health insurance)

Part of this gap may be covered each year by the Medicare Safety Net Arrangement

http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/Factsheet-EMSN1Jan2021

It was most unfair you were not warned by your GP or by the psychologist or their receptionist that you were entering into a fee-paying arrangement and I'm sure it would have come at a great shock.

I hope you can manage to keep on going for treatment, it is sometimes possible to come to an arrangement with a psychologist, and some others do make a practice of bulk-billing.

Frankly I discuss with my GP the out of pocket expenses I will expect to pay if I'm sent off for any medical procedure. If I don't I've found many GPs simply do not think about their client's costs at all, concentrating just on the diagnostic/treatment side of things.

Failing that if things are financially impossible I'd suggest talking the matter over with your GP and seeing if any other options are available.

Hope this helps

Croix

[geoff]

Hello MissJ, has any of this information being able to help you?

Take care.

Geoff.