So...Its been a while. They don't make this process easy but I would also attribute that to my own procrastination and fear of not being approved. At the time I applied, I truly believed it was a longshot. Turns out people are submitting claims for dental implants, gastric bypasses, mortgage issues and so forth.
It's important to to know that you absolutely need to provide multiple forms of written proof to show that you need this money for essential medical treatment. You cannot exploit or undertake this process fraudulently in case anyone is thinking along those lines.
My super fund has now processed 15k with which I can use to have TMS treatment. It can be done.
An interesting thing for anyone reading this is to know that it is now possible to have this treatment with no out of pocket expenses. That is, after going through the gruelling claim process, I've discovered that TMS is now available at selected private hospitals and clinics as an outpatient at zero cost. It's worth noting that this is for first timers only and my understanding is that Medicare eligibility for further top-up sessions are individually reassessed based on how effective the initial treatment was. It is also worth noting that if you choose to pay a gap fee, some clinics have become significantly cheaper than others. For example, there is a clinic located within an affluent inner Hobart suburb that is run by a renowned mental health practitioner. This clinic has gap fees that will likely place you out of pocket by 2.5k. For me, it meant that I could receive the treatment whilst having a holiday by the beach in Tasmania and also afford to rent an airbnb for the duration of my treatment, all at a very reduced price with a beach getaway included... Point being, that the rules have suddenly changed and this treatment has thankfully opened up for everyone to access and I did not need to take anything from my Super fund.
Interestingly, the highly recommended clinic I had lined up in Melbourne did not inform me of alternative affordable options but that's another lengthy story and unfortunately naming places to avoid is not allowed here. Let's see if I can get away with this for a while. Please avoid N----------x in Carlton, Melbourne
I now find myself with 15k I wasn't expecting to have and this will now go towards another treatment I never expected to afford.
For the government to wholly subsidise TMS shows there must be hard evidence that it is effective most of the time.
Don't get to thinking that the government are empathising or care about us, but rather they've worked out that it's cheaper to give this subsidy and save on having to fund bigger psych wards, more beds and employ more psych nurses. That may be my depression talking but it's also true.
This treatment has been around for decades. They're also looking at it's effectiveness on depersonalisation/ dissociative disorders/AuADHD so clearly there's plenty of money to made but ultimately there is good health to be restored.
I hope this is helpful to someone else who has spent years mulling over the point of each breath.
