Medicare Rebates for Psychology Services

Medicare rebates are available for psychological treatment by registered psychologists under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiate. Eligible individuals can receive up to 10 individual sessions in a calendar year. Your referring doctor (GP, Paediatrician, Psychiatrist) will assess your progress after the first 6 sessions. After you have reached the maximum number of allowable sessions for the calendar year you will not be eligible for any further Medicare rebates for treatment you receive form a psychologist until the new calendar year. Please note that this Clinic does not bulk bill.

Do note that recently the Australian Government commenced providing 10 additional Medicare-subsidised psychological therapy sessions for Australians affected by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please discuss with your treating medical professional how you may be able to access these. Access to additional medicare rebatebale sessions is available until 30 June 2022.

Medicare Rebates for Speech Pathology Services

The Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Medicare items are part of a government initiative that assists people living with a chronic and/or complex medical illness. Medicare rebates are available for treatment from allied health professionals who are assisting in managing the illness.

The initiative allows a person with a complex and/or chronic medical illness to claim a Medicare rebate for up to 5 visits (in total) to certain allied health professionals (eg speech pathology) within a calendar year. The individual must be referred by a GP who is managing them under a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangements (TCA). The GP Chronic Disease Management (CDM) items have replaced the earlier Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) items, and the new Team Care Arrangements (TCA) have replaced the earlier EPC Multidisciplinary Care Plan items.

Self-Referral

It is not essential that you have a referral to see a clinician at the The Charles Street Clinic. Clients may call and book an appointment at any time without a referral and pay privately. Please feel free to discuss your options with reception staff prior to your appointment with a clinician.

Private Health Care Rebates

Private Health Fund Rebates for speech therapy and psychology sessions are available to most funds. Check with your Private Health Care Fund prior to sessions if you are eligible for a rebate.

Medicare Items for Assessment and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Medicare items are available for the diagnosis and early intervention treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders. These items apply to services provided by eligible psychologists, speech pathologists and occupational therapists, on referral from a consultant psychiatrist or paediatrican. The Medicare items cover two specific types of services – assessment services and treatment services. Assessment medicare rebated services are available for up to 4 services for assessment (in total per child) aged under 13 years old; and up to 20 early intervention treatment services in a child’s lifetime for diagnosis prior to 15 years old.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a national system which provides support to eligible people with intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial disability. Further information about the NDIS can be found at http://www.ndis.gov.au/ . The Charles Street Clinic is an NDIS provider. Please contact us should you wish to talk about how you can use your funding to access our services.