Explaining the MHCP (Mental Health Care Plan) that we all keep talking about

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi everyone,

I've kind of realised that we often recommend getting a MHCP but we don't always explain what they are or what they mean so here is my little crash course for anyone that's confused by that!

A MHCP (Mental Health Care Plan) is part of the Medicare Better Access initiative which helps people afford psychology sessions.

If you want to get one you can get them from the GP and they'll give you one to give to your psychologist. With the MHCP, Medicare pays a gap - so depending on who your psychologist is, they may charge nothing so you get completely bulk-billed or you may have to pay a gap.

After you have 6 sessions with your psychologist, you'll need to go back to your GP for a review. Basically they'll print out a new one which allows for another 4 sessions - thats' 10 sessions in total. At the moment that's all we can get per calendar year, but the good news is that they're pushing for so much more.

I hope that this helps!

[jess334]

Thanks for this! Great information.

I'll just add that the MHCP can take some time to go through, so when you make an appt with your GP ask the receptionist if you will need a longer appointment.

Jess

[Summer Rose]

Hi all

I'll just add that it's a good idea to check with your psychologist's office staff to see if they provide reminders to clients for when your sessions expire. It's easy when you're unwell or just busy to lose track. I assumed our office would provide this type of reminder service and found out that they didn't the hard way, when the sessions had expired!

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi,

Just wanted to update this post to let people know that they can access 10 extra sessions as part of the COVID-19 response.

Fingers crossed they'll extend it in 2023!

rt

[geoff]

Hello rt, thanks for letting us know.

My best.

Geoff.