Therapy Near Me Mental Health Articles

In Australia, general practitioners (GPs) serve as the cornerstone of the healthcare system, often acting as the first point of contact for patients. A key aspect of their role is creating and managing healthcare plans, particularly for patients with chronic conditions, which are facilitated through GP referrals to various medical specialists and allied health services. This article explores the framework and benefits of obtaining healthcare plans through GP referrals, supported by current practices and guidelines.

GPs are uniquely positioned to coordinate comprehensive healthcare due to their detailed understanding of patients’ medical histories and current health needs. They are responsible for developing tailored healthcare plans that often include referrals to specialists, dietitians, physiotherapists, and psychologists, depending on the patient’s specific conditions.

Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plans:

• These plans are designed for patients who have a chronic or terminal medical condition, including but not limited to diabetes, heart disease, and chronic respiratory conditions. The plan involves coordinated care among various healthcare providers.

Mental Health Treatment Plans:

• GPs can create Mental Health Treatment Plans for patients experiencing mental health issues. These plans typically involve up to 10 subsidised sessions with a psychologist, social worker, or occupational therapist per calendar year.

Preventive Health Care Plans:

• These plans focus on preventive measures to maintain health and avoid disease, tailored to individuals’ health risks based on factors like age, family history, and lifestyle choices.

Initial Assessment:

• The process begins with a thorough assessment by the GP, who evaluates the patient’s health needs and eligibility for a healthcare plan. This assessment might include comprehensive health checks, blood tests, and discussions about family history.

Plan Development:

• Based on the assessment, the GP develops a healthcare plan that outlines the treatment strategy, goals, and the specialists or services required.

Referral Process:

• The GP then issues referrals to appropriate specialists or allied health professionals. These referrals are essential for the patient to access specialised treatments and for the services to be covered by Medicare or private health insurance.

Ongoing Management and Review:

• Healthcare plans are not static; they require regular reviews and updates. The GP schedules follow-up appointments to monitor the patient’s progress and make adjustments to the plan as needed.

• Coordinated Care: These plans ensure all practitioners involved in a patient’s care are informed and working together towards common health goals.
• Cost-Effectiveness: With Medicare subsidies available for many services accessed through GP referrals, patients can receive necessary treatments at a reduced cost.
• Improved Outcomes: Research shows that patients with coordinated healthcare plans experience better health outcomes, particularly for chronic conditions.

In Australia, access to psychological services is supported by Medicare through the provision of mental healthcare plans. This initiative allows individuals suffering from mental health issues to receive financial subsidies for psychological treatment, significantly reducing the barrier to accessing essential health services.

Mental healthcare plans are part of a broader initiative known as the Better Access initiative, which was introduced by the Australian Government to improve community access to mental health professionals and services. Under this scheme, individuals can get financial assistance to cover part of the cost of visiting a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other qualified mental health professional.

To be eligible for a mental healthcare plan, individuals must:

• Be assessed by a GP, psychiatrist, or pediatrician as having a mental disorder.
• Be an Australian resident or citizen, or hold an appropriate visa with eligibility for Medicare services.

General practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in the initiation of mental healthcare plans. The process typically involves:

• An evaluation by the GP to discuss the patient’s mental health and formulate a treatment plan.
• The creation of a tailored Mental Health Treatment Plan, which outlines the services the patient will be referred to and the expected outcomes.
• A referral to a psychologist or other mental health professional for a specified number of sessions, which can be subsidised by Medicare.

Under the current Medicare scheme, patients can receive:

• Up to 10 individual and 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year with a registered psychologist, social worker, or occupational therapist.
• A substantial portion of the session fee is covered by Medicare once the individual has reached the Medicare Safety Net threshold::
  • General psychologist rebate: $93.35 p/s
  • Clinical psychologist rebate: $137.35 p/s

Patients need to pay the difference between the rebate and the service provider’s fee if the provider does not bulk bill. The exact amount of the rebate depends on the service provided and the professional visited.

1. Visit Your GP: Discuss your mental health concerns with your GP. If they determine that you are eligible, they will create a Mental Health Treatment Plan for you.
2. Make a Referral: Your GP will refer you to a psychologist or other eligible mental health professional.
3. Book Your Appointment: Contact the referred professional to make an appointment.
4. Claim Your Medicare Rebate: After your session, you can claim your Medicare rebate. Some practices offer the convenience of claiming on the spot.

Healthcare plans coordinated through GP referrals are a fundamental component of Australia’s healthcare system, providing structured, comprehensive care that is tailored to the individual needs of patients. These plans optimise health outcomes by ensuring continuity of care and integrating services across the healthcare spectrum.

The availability of Medicare rebates for mental healthcare plans significantly enhances access to psychological services in Australia, allowing more individuals to receive the mental health support they need. By understanding and utilising these provisions, those in need can seek help more readily, ensuring a broader reach of mental health support across the community. If mental health concerns are affecting you or someone you know, consider speaking to a GP about getting a mental healthcare plan started. This step can open the door to valuable support and effective treatment, facilitating better mental health outcomes.

• Kidd, M. R. (2013). The role of the general practitioner in the Australian healthcare system. Australian Family Physician, 42(8), 554-557.
• McRae, I. S., Yen, L., Jeon, Y. H., Herath, P. M., & Essue, B. (2013). The health of community-based chronic disease management in general practice. Medical Journal of Australia, 199(6), 394-397.
• Fletcher, J., King, K., Bassilios, B., Blashki, G., & Burgess, P. (2011). Evaluating the Access to Allied Psychological Services component of the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care program. Australian Health Review, 35(3), 280-286.
• Zwar, N., Harris, M., Griffiths, R., Roland, M., Dennis, S., Powell Davies, G., & Hasan, I. (2007). A systematic review of chronic disease management. Research Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW.
• Andrews, G., Issakidis, C., & Carter, G. (2001). Shortfall in mental health service utilisation. British Journal of Psychiatry, 179, 417-425.
• Hickie, I. B., & Groom, G. L. (2002). Primary care-led mental health service reform: an outline of the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care initiative. Australasian Psychiatry, 10(4), 376-382.
• Pirkis, J., Harris, M., Hall, W., & Ftanou, M. (2011). Evaluation of the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule initiative. Summative evaluation, University of Melbourne.

How to get in touch

If you or your patient/NDIS clients need immediate mental healthcare assistance, feel free to get in contact with us on 1800 NEAR ME – admin@therapynearme.com.au.