Mental Health Care Plan vs Private - Implications on Insurance

[DW90]

I’m considering seeking some help with a psychologist about an issue but don’t want it on my medical record for insurance purposes.

Is it possible for insurance companies to obtain details of psychology consultations if they’re done privately? Is it possible to code a consultation as performance coaching or something similar so that details don’t have to be shared? I’d be interested in hearing if anyone has dealt with this.

[geoff]

Hello DW90, a warm welcome to the site.

What you have asked is precisely what I didn't want as well, so I've 'opted out of my health record', so copy and paste this in your search browser as one option 'opt out my health record gov au', the other way to do this is typing 'myGov account' then select the My Health Record you want to cancel. ...
Select the 'Profile & Settings' tab.
Select 'Profile' and navigate to the end of the page, click 'Cancel My Health Record'.

You can also have myGov on your mobile which will take you through the process, and sorry all of this may seem confusing, so please let me know.

I have 'opted out of my health record', although others don't want to do this, and I accept that, but I certainly don't want my insurance company to know my details.

Good thread.

Geoff.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi DW90,

Welcome and thank you for your question.

Can I just clarify, is this for health insurance or life insurance? If it's for general health insurance from my understanding there isn't any need/obligation to know these details or request this information. If it's for life insurance, then your only option would be to see a counsellor such as one from the ACA or PACFA (often cheaper than a psychologist too) or to see a psychologist privately 100% out of pocket. If it's out of pocket with no mental health care plan or GP referral then there isn't any code (since they don't have to subsidise with Medicare).

Hope this helps

rt

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi,

P.S. Just wanted to add this reply as well to see if it helps

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/depression/concerned-about-disclosure-and-ge...

[DW90]

Geoff, I’m referring to things like the medicare billing record, which can’t be hidden and are lifelong, and can be dredged up by insurance companies.

Rt, for life insurance. Thanks for the ACA/PACFA idea.

Thanks.

[CalmCat]

Hi DW90,

Thanks for such a great question.

I work in health insurance, insurance companies are only interest in people with pre-existing conditions that claim otherwise regarding their condition (for example; people signing up for insurance to try and have a procedure outside the waiting periods). Your mental records are never obtained from a psychologist, I can assure you of this.

Does this answer your question? Let me know if not.

Regards,

D