Mental Health Care Plans & Medicare Rebates
If you've been told to look into a Mental Health Care Plan, or you're not sure how the Medicare side of seeing a psychologist actually works, you're in the right place. Here's a plain-English rundown of what it is, what it costs, and how to get started at Valentia Health.
What is a Mental Health Care Plan?
A Mental Health Care Plan (sometimes called a Mental Health Treatment Plan) is a referral your GP prepares that gives you access to Medicare-rebated psychology sessions. It's not a diagnosis or a label, it's simply the paperwork that unlocks the rebate.
Your GP will usually refer you for an initial course of up to six (6) sessions. Once those are done, we send a short update back to your GP, and they can refer you for further sessions if that's appropriate, up to ten rebated sessions per calendar year in total.
How much is the rebate?
The current Medicare rebate for a session with a registered psychologist is $101.55. At Valentia Health, our standard session fee is $250, and that means your out-of-pocket cost after the rebate is applied is $148.45.
Medicare rebate amounts are reviewed periodically, but if you'd like it confirmed before booking, our team is always happy to talk it through over the phone.
How to get a Mental Health Care Plan
Book a double appointment with your regular GP and let them know you'd like a referral to see a psychologist.
Your GP will assess your needs and prepare the plan, along with a referral letter.
Bring that referral to your first session with us, either in hard copy or we're happy to have your GP send it through directly.
What therapy at Valentia Health actually looks like
We see a lot of people who've never spoken to a psychologist before, and a lot of the hesitation comes from not knowing what to expect. At Valentia Health, that first call and that first visit are designed to feel like the opposite of a clinical waiting room. No waitlist, a genuinely warm space in Taringa, and a team who'll take the time to make sure you're paired with the right person from the start.
Therapy through Medicare can support a wide range of things, from anxiety and low mood through to stress, grief, relationship difficulties and more. It's not a guarantee of a particular outcome, but it is a well-supported way to get consistent, affordable access to professional support.
Ready to book?
If you've got a Mental Health Care Plan already, or you're about to see your GP for one, get in touch and we'll find you a time that works. Feel free to call us on (07) 3544 6748, email us at admin@valentiahealth.com.au, or book directly online.
