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In 2006, the Australian Government introduced the Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative. This initiative provides rebates towards sessions with a Psychologist. In order to access the rebates, you need to have a Mental Health Care Plan that can be prepared by your GP, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician. If you have a Mental Health Care Plan, Medicare provides a significant rebate towards the total cost – currently this is $129.55 for Clinical Psychologists and $88.25 for Psychologists. Clients are eligible to receive rebates for up to 20 individual sessions per calendar year. This represents an increase from the previous 10 sessions due to COVID-19. The 20 sessions per year increase has been funded for 2 years from 2020 to 2022*.
In addition to individual therapy sessions, Medicare provides rebates towards 10 Group Therapy sessions per calendar year.
The out of pocket gap for an individual, 50-60 minute consultation with a Psychologist will be approximately $85. For couples or family therapy, this will be $105.
You are not required to get a Mental Health Care Plan to see our Counsellors as there are currently no Medicare rebates available for Counselling Services. The private fee for a 50-60 minute consultation with a Counsellor is $115.
*The number of rebated sessions are based on Government budget allocation and is not representative of how many sessions a person may need.
You can make an online claim for Medicare rebates using your Smart Phone and the Express Plus Medicare App.
Our reception staff will provide you with a Medicare receipt when you have seen our psychologist. You will need this when you submit your claim. To submit an online claim you need to:
MEDICARE
GPO BOX 9822
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
For more information on Medicare benefits please see the Australian Government website on How to Claim a Medicare Benefit
Emerald Psychology Practice is a placement location for Provisional Psychologist and Counselling Interns. Interns are affiliated with a University and required to complete on site Internship placements. All Interns are completing a PostGraduate Masters or Doctorate level courses and are qualified and experienced to provide psychological assessment and treatment under the Supervision of a Registered Psychologist Supervisor. Provisional Psychologists and Counselling Interns are able to provide low cost psychological care to our clients.
The out of pocket gap for a 50-60 minute consultation with an Intern is just $50 and there is no requirement for a Mental Health Care plan. Clients can access long-term psychological treatment without the limitation of 20 rebated sessions through Medicare.
Our clinic is passionate about supporting Internship programs and building links with local Universities in return for a valuable service to our patients.
Emerald Psychology Practice accepts clients with an approved claim under a number of third party providers. There are no out of pocket expenses under the above schemes. All of our Psychologists are registered to provide care under third party providers. The number of sessions is dependent upon the type of claim you have.
Emerald Psychology Practice offers a Brief Intervention services with our Provisional Psychologists.
The out of pocket gap is $50 for:
1X 60 minute phone consultation
2X 30 minute phone consultations
There is no requirement for a Mental Health Care plan and clients will not lose their place on our waitlist.
Emerald Psychology Practice is registered to provide assessment and treatment to patients registered under the NDIS. There are no out of pocket gaps for NDIS patients and accounts are all recovered from NDIS directly. We accept all self managed plans.
Clients who have Private Health cover can receive rebates towards consultations with a Psychologist. The number of rebated sessions and the out of pocket fee will depend on the type of cover you have.
Clients who wish to see a Psychologist outside of the Medicare or any other schemes are able to pay the full fee for a consultation. The fees for our services are:
The Emerald Psychology Practice uses the HICAPS billing system to allow for a convenient and efficient payment process. Clients can receive their Medicare and Private Health Cover rebates immediately. Medicare and EFTPOS cards are required in order to process rebates. For tele-health sessions, clients can attend the clinic to claim their rebate or rebates can be claimed individually.
Emerald Psychology Practice in an independent private practice clinic therefore all accounts must be settled on the day of service.
*24-hour notice is required to cancel appointments or a 50% cancellation fee may be charged
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