This “Better Access” initiative aims to increase community access to GPs, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and other allied mental health professionals for mental health care. This includes 3 new item numbers for GPs.
1. GP Mental Health Care Plan (Item 2710, $150.00 – 100% rebate)
2. GP Mental Health Care Plan Review (Item 2712, $100.00 – 100% rebate)
3. GP mental Health Care Consultation (Item 2713, $66.00 – 100% rebate)
“Better Access” also provides GPs with new referral pathways:
- All GPs can refer patients who are being managed under a mental health care plan - there are no mandatory training requirements to access the new GP Items
- GPs can refer patients to clinical psychologists, general psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists who are registered with Medicare Australia.
- Patients will be eligible for up to 12 sessions of “Focused Psychological Strategies” or “Psychological Therapies” per calendar year (6 initial sessions, with the option of re-referral after a GP review).
Patients are eligible to claim Medicare Rebates for these services where they are referred by a medical practitioner who is managing the patient under a GP Mental Health Care Plan (Item 2710) and/or a Consultant Psychiatrists Assessment and Management Plan (Item 291 $400, 85% rebate), or on direct referral from a psychiatrist or pediatrician.
The ADGP has developed additional resources to assist to orient divisions, GPs and other practice members to the new Medicare mental health items.
At the following link (http://www.primarymentalhealth.com.au/site/index.cfm?display=15129) you will find:
- Overview information
- Patient pathways – an explanation of GP referral options
- GP fees and patient rebates – an explanation of patient fees and rebates
- Better Access flowchart – sets out the three components in detail.