Therapy subsidization

[little_pepper]

Hi All

 Like many people here i receive 10 subsidized sessions through the Better Access scheme. I am working through some complex trauma and depression and it is absolutely laughable to say that 10 sessions is all i need. I have looked through the net for other possible subsidization and have found something called ATAPS (access to allied psychological services) and also chronic disease management. I was just wondering if anyone out there is using either of these schemes in addition/instead of better access. I've talked to my GP a nurse and my psychologist if they knew anything other then Better Access and they don't really know. i'd appreciate any feedback.

all the best -little pepper

[Beltane]

I don't know any other companies but have you considered getting private health Extras insurance? It's nowhere near as expensive as Hospital insurance.

if you google "compare insurance" you should get the company that advertises on tv (I doubt I can write their name here)  that you can call and talk to them about what you want.

i pay $20 a fortnight for my policy but I get $550 worth of psychology a year (plus lots of other stuff like physio, dental, optical). On my policy I get a fixed anount per claim, but you can get policies where you get a percentage back.

also, don't know where you live, but I've found clinical psychologists (which I assume is what you want as they're the most qualified) can charge much less in the outer suburbs than in the city suburbs. Obviously the rent on their rooms is much cheaper out in the suburbs, so it's worth calling around.

with my psych I only end up paying $30 out of pocket- insurance covers the rest, up to a total of $550 on my policy. For me this means I get 10 visits through Better Access and than another 10 or so on my insurance policy. Every year obviously- insurance resets in January, and better access resets on the date you got your plan.

hope this helps

[little_pepper]

Thanks for your reply Beltane. I've started looking at private insurance but i am unable to afford it at the moment but its definitely worth considering.I live in a rural area and am lucky enough to have a choice of one of two psychologists. (people often travel 100km to access treatment from my psych)  i like my psychologist, after having a bad experience with the one before, im sticking to her like glue!

On a lighter note for all those interested. I've done a little 'research' to see what else is available that may be of help. I called medicare after a quick search on the internet and he told me that i could only get better access until i specifically asked about ATAPS (access to allied psychological services) and chronic disease management. The former allows for 12 subsidized sessions in six session blocks and a further 6 if deemed necessary by your GP. Chronic disease management can compliment better access if deemed necessary by a GP and allows 5 subsidized sessions. There is more information on the department of health website which was recommended to me by the person i spoke with at medicare. 

I find it incredibly frustrating that there are other options out there that health professionals haven't been informed about and may be better for consumers. (do i feel a conspiracy coming on ? 🙂  ) Now i don't feel as 'trapped' and worried about bureaucratic BS as i did before and can pass this info on to my gp and psych who can use this to help other people. 

[Beltane]

Ah yes I can share your frustration on both counts.

i can only afford Extras insurance- not Hospital. Which is very frustrating as I need two bouts of surgery and must wait on the long waiting list for public hospital. i simply must find the $20 a fortnight for the Extras- for the psychology, the dental, the optical and physio... All things I use!! I can finally get my teeth checked! Yay! But what a shame I can't afford Hospital- then I wouldn't have the wait for surgery!

and yes - the frustration of not getting all the available information regarding services! I too have spent countless hours on the Internet and making phone calls trying to find help or information, and then finding it and wondering why I couldn't have found that help easier! 

i too am frustrated that there only 10 or 12 visits to a psych. When you have a mental illness that causes issues, you can go through 10 very quickly.. Hopefully the government will reconsider for those of us with chronic issues that need continuous treatment.

[Blue85]

It is a shame indeed that Medicare covers only those 10 sessions. I used my private health cover last year to cover sessions once I had hit those limits, though at the end of the year, I was paying the entire session cost out of pocket.

I find it interesting that Medicare subsidises so many visits to a psychiatrist, (50 per year I believe) yet not for psychologists!

I ended up speaking to my GP about a GP health care plan which allows me an extra 5 sessions with an Allied Health Care Practitioner per year, but I believe for that you need to have at least 3 different HCP's in the first instance that are working with you for that particular health issue. I have 5 (GP, psychiatrist, psychologist, dietician, exercise physiologist). I am actually using mine for exercise physiology but you can use them in several ways. 

 Good luck - it certainly isn't cheap. I very quickly reached my Medicare threshold last year, so was subsidised up to 85% on many of my GP and psychiatrist visits.