Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) explained.
Information provided within is to the best of our knowledge in accordance to the Australian Government Department of Health
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Last Updated: 23rd Jan 2024
What is a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)?
The introduction of the Better Access to Mental Health initiative in 2006 facilitated increased support for individuals with a diagnosable mental disorder.
Under the scheme the following 20 diagnoses are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) referral:
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
Panic disorder
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Adjustment disorders
Mixed anxiety and depression
Chronic psychotic disorders
Acute psychotic disorders
Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorders
Drug and alcohol use disorders
Sexual disorders
Sleep difficulties
Bereavement disorders
Attention deficit disorders
Dissociative disorders
Unexplained somatic complaints
If you qualify for the Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) plan you will be eligible to receive a Medicare rebate of $137.05 for an appointment with a Clinical Psychologist, or $93.35 Medicare rebate for an appointment with a Psychologist.
This Medicare rebate amount will increase once you reach your individual/family Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) threshold of $2414.00 (General) – where you will then receive back 80% of the out-of-pocket expense for your ongoing sessions with a Psychologist.
Our practice administration staff will process the Medicare rebate for your convenience, and it will be transferred directly to your account following this.
How do I get a Referral to see a psychologist under the Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)?
To be eligible for this referral you will need to make an appointment with your GP / Paediatrician / Psychiatrist and request they complete a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) for you.
Download the Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) .rtf Template here if your GP does not have the form.
Once you commence appointments your clinician will write to your referrer, and anyone else on your treatment team, to confirm the commencement of appointments.
How long does my Medical Health Care Plan (MHCP) last?
Your mental health care plan referral does not expire, and as such it is not essential to receive a new referral every 12 months unless your presenting difficulties have changed. Your GP / Paediatrician / Psychiatrist may choose to do a new plan every 12 months.
What’s the maximum amount of psychologist sessions I can claim under the Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)?
You can access a total of 10 Medicare rebates for your appointments with your clinician in this calendar year.
Typically, following 6 Medicare rebated appointments your clinician will write a progress report related to your treatment goals and you will be eligible to obtain a re-referral from your doctor for a further 4 Medicare rebated appointments.
Following a further 4 Medicare rebated sessions your clinician will write a further treatment update to your doctor.
Rebates & Medicare Tips!
How to ensure you don’t get charged a full private fee?
You are responsible for obtaining a referral should you wish to receive a Medicare rebate for your appointments.
Our administration and clinical team can assist you with keeping track of the number of Medicare claims that have been made under your referral at our practice, and will prompt you to obtain a re-referral should you wish to continue to receive further rebates.
Upon payment of your appointment, our administration staff will email you a copy of your receipt and the Medicare claim information. Noted on your receipt will be a running count of appointments that have been claimed on your behalf, and the number of rebated appointments that is remaining in this current allotment of session rebates as per referral. We suggest you monitor this number, so that together we can ensure the continuation of rebates if this is important to you.
If any of the above is confusing, or if you have any further questions about the Mental health Care Plan (MHCP) / Claiming with Medicare for your Psychologist fees, please get in contact with our Admin team!
We are more than happy to talk it through with you over the phone.