Mental Health Plan and First Session with Counsellor

[Vitsyra]

Hi All,

I have a question about the Mental Health Plan. I got one from my GP, and went to my first session today. I was under the impression that through the plan I would have access to 10 free sessions, but instead I had to pay $130 upfront and after a medicare rebate I will have paid $40 for the session. I can't really afford $400 for all the sessions, so I'm thinking I won't go back.

Also, I'm not sure the session was much use. I felt rushed, like I couldn't finish a sentence before the topic was changed.. and I felt like getting me out on time was the most important thing.. just felt very impersonal. I am trying to think that its only the first session and they need a chance to establish who I am and why I'm there.. but I'm not overly excited to go back.. earliest session I could get next is end of October.

Should I go back? Or try at least one more session?

Thanks,

Dawn

[BballJ]

Hi Vitsyra,

My understanding of the mental health plan from when I did one over a year ago, unless it has changed, is that you get 6 sessions under the plan after which you are referred back to your GP and if they deem another 4 sessions are required they will refer you again. Without the mental health plan, you do not get access to the Medicare rebate. I remember when I went to my first session, I didn't feel entirely comfortable but by the second and third session I was more comfortable and the counsellor got to know and understand me better. From my experience the first session is all about the counsellor finding out about you, as you have to remember, they do not know anything about you prior to you arriving. I would 100% recommend going back for another session, remember you can always change counsellors as well, if you do not feel you have clicked with this one then I would go back to your GP for a referral to someone else. You know when you click with them because it will be like talking to a good friend.

My best for you,

Jay

[geoff]

hi Dawn, I have googled this 'mental health plan is it 10 free sessions' where you can read about it, and I'm sure that what Jay has said could quite happen.
With me when I started seeing another psychologist after my previous one left, who I'd been seeing for 20 years or so, as it was covered by Workcover, I was given 10 free visits which I said I didn't need as W/C would be paying, however I went to see him a few times but left and didn't go back to see him, because he said I shouldn't have to have OCD and I shouldn't be taking any medication at all, and anything else I said he denied everything, rather than talking about the issues I wanted to talk about.
With my free sessions the bill was sent off to Medicare and I didn't have to pay, although I kept telling him that W/C would be paying, all of this fell on deaf ears.
Perhaps you should go back for another session, but somehow I don't think you will, never the less don't stop getting your counselling whether it's from this current psych or someone else, you have to feel comfortable when talking with them. Geoff.

[Vitsyra]

Thanks all.

I have to go back to my GP for some blood tests, so while there I might query about the costs and how the referral works in more detail.

I've decided to try one more session, I think my mental health is worth the $40 but if Im not clicking with the doctor by the end of the session I might try something else.

[sparkvark]

Hey Dawn,

Just wanted to give you some info on the Mental Health Plan as far as I've experienced it. Note that your GP and any official online stuff will probably explain this better and with more authority - this is just my experience (albeit from a few years ago so may be out of date) so take it with a grain of salt.

When one's drawn up by the GP, there's an initial "6 sessions" with a psychologist that you can get a Medicare rebate for. If the psych only charges the same fee as the Medicare rebate then you can claim it and end up paying nothing after the rebate is processed. However if the psych charges more than the Medicare rebate, then you only get the rebate back which is why you're $40 out of pocket for your first session.

After 6 sessions, my experience was that if a further 4 sessions are needed, the psychologist is supposed to send a recommendation back to the GP. Then you visit the GP again, and if agreed they sign off on the extra 4 sessions, with the same payment arrangement as the above.

After those 4 sessions, you can no longer claim the rebate for the rest of the calendar year (thru to 31 December) and will have to pay the full price of any psychologist sessions. The next calendar year, if agreed with your GP you can start a new Mental Health Plan.

Tips for new players - make sure that the GP/Psychologist actually does send the required information to the other party at each juncture. It's not fun making and turning up to an appointment only to discover that the documentation never got sent.

Also some psychologists will do payment options for financial hardship, so depending on your circumstances that may something to raise.