Medicare rebate - ran out of sessions?

[Sunflowerrs]

I've had my 10 sessions with various psychologists... now ive found one i like, but today was the 10th..

Do you guys know any other helpful options?

[Guest_9809]

Hi Sunflowerrs.

You could ask your psych whether you are eligible for the ATAPS program. I believe the application then has to go through your GP. Its generally used for short to medium term psychological interventions, but can be used for longer term issues if considered necessary by your GP. Worth asking about anyway.

I am likely to be in a similar position myself later in the year. I have used up my initial 6 medicare funding sessions. My psych as requested approval from my GP to get the additional 4 sessions. And she said she would look into getting ATAPS for me after that.

Sorry I dont have any other suggestions, but maybe this helps anyway.

Taurus

[Coffeebean]

You might be eligible for a chronic disease management plan from your GP, which would partly cover 5 sessions per year. Not everyone is eligible, your GP would know if you are.

CB

[geoff]

hello Sunflower, good replies from Taurus and CB, because as far as I know, I believe that your GP maybe able to extend these sessions under certain circumstances, so best to see your GP. Geoff.

[citizen]

Hi Sunflower, i had same situation just weeks ago, tried ATAPS , spoke to them directly and they told me you can't double dip in one calendar year, unless i was willing to do 8 or10 week suicide prevention counselling sessions, which would be solely about suicide prevention counselling nothing else. Its a pain i know, left me hanging...possibley relationships Australia, if your in Brisbane or if there is one near you. that has been my experience so far. yeh i had my 10 sessions and all we treated was my anxiety about the sessions pretty much. but I'm looking into other avenues too.. sorry its happening to you too. Kind regards, Citizen

[Sunflowerrs]

hi thanks for the replies.. i guess its back to the GP.. 😞

[Over1t]

I used my 10 sessions and then had extra sessions under a chronic disease management plan (i think that's what it was called). The chronic disease management plan isn't specifically designed for mental illness but can be used for any 'chronic' condition. So it might all depend what mental health condition you have. In my case my psych recommended it and wrote to my GP about it. The other option is to use your private health or sign up for private health if you don't have it. Good luck

[Sunflowerrs]

thanks for that Over1t

i'll go ask about that when i go in 🙂

[Guest_9809]

Hi Over1t. Yes I think you are right in that it is a Chronic Disease Management Plan, otherwise known as a GP Care Plan. And you do need to have been diagnosed with a chronic disease (eg muscular skeletal, diabetes, blood pressure, etc). It entitles you to 5 visits to subsiduary supporting medical services, such as physio, chiro, podiatrist, exercise physiologist, etc. It can also be used for psych visits. I did this last year after I had used up my initial 10 medicare visits through the MHCP. Unfortunately it only subsidises about $50 of the visit, so I had a very hefty gap payment to pay myself. Although it is of course better than having to pay the lot! Certainly something that Sunflowerss could ask her GP about though, to see if it could be an option.

Taurus

[Phoenix_]

Is there any more information about this? I have just used my 10th psychology visit; I had been told I could have 5 Chronic Plan visits, but the psychologist I saw last week (my first visit with her) said that I can't mix the MHP / Chronic plans, so I would have to go to Another psychologist. She was going to check and let me know, still waiting to hear from her.