GP Information and ResourcesYour patients can now see a psychologist with the help of Medicare.Most common mental health problems are eligible under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative introduced in November 2006. It is easy to arrange for your patients. All Mind Life Clinic psychologists are registered with Medicare. The Medicare rebate covers much of the session cost making it even more affordable for your patients to receive the psychological treatment and care they need. Patient Eligibility Accessing the Medicare Rebates Using Outcome Measurement Tools What does the GP need to do? Helpful Downloads for GPs Useful websites for GPs Patient EligibilityPatients with the following disorders who would benefit from a structured approach to the management of their mental health needs are eligible to receive the Medicare rebates:
Accessing the Medicare rebatesFollowing assessment and referral by a GP patients can access up to 12 Medicare rebates for individual sessions with a psychologist in a 12 month period. (In exceptional circumstances an additional 6 individual sessions can accessed.) Patients can also access an additional 12 Medicare rebates for group sessions. Back to Top Using Outcome Measurement ToolsUnless clinically inappropriate, an outcome measurement tool should be utilized to evaluate symptoms during the assessment and review of the GP Mental Health Care Plan. This provides a structured way of measuring symptoms and monitoring progress. There is no requirement to use any specific outcome measurement tool.While outcome measurement tools are not diagnostic tools, a patient’s responses will illuminate some of the problems they are experiencing. This may assist you in reaching a diagnosis. Like any clinical instrument, clinicians using outcome measurement tools should become familiar with their appropriate use and interpretation. Two commonly used and easily administered outcome measurement tools are available to download below. These can be printed and given to patients to complete or read to them and their responses recorded. Back to Top What does the GP need to do?(1) Form the view that the patient is experiencing an eligible disorder and would benefitfrom a structured approach to treatment. (2) Complete a GP Mental Health Care Plan. (GP Claim Item Number 2710 - $150 rebate) There is no set format for this however there are some minimum requirements. Please click here to download an easy-to-use template developed by the Department of Health and Ageing that meets these minimum requirements. (3) Make a referral to a Mind Life Clinic psychologist. The referral must be written, signed and dated but there is no set format. It may be helpful to include part or all of the GP Mental Health Care Plan as part of the referral. This initial referral will enable the patient to receive Medicare rebates for their first 6 sessions with the psychologist. (4) Review progress against the identified goals by conducting a GP Mental Health Care Review (GP Claim Item Number 2712 - $100). This is usually conducted after the patient has received their first six sessions with a psychologist or at other relevant times. The Mind Life Clinic psychologist will send a progress report to assist in your review. Based on your review any required adjustments to the GP Mental Health Care Plan can be made. Following this the patient can continue their next six sessions with the psychologist. Back to Top Helpful Downloads for GPsGP Mental Health Care Plan Flow Chart (Click to download)The flowchart (developed by the Australian Divisions of General Practice) illustrates the process for developing a GP Mental Health Care Plan including information relating to the use of Mental Health Medicare Items GP Mental Health Care Plan Template - MBS Item 2710 (Click to download) To complete a GP Mental Health Care Plan simply download this template and enter your patient’s information. The template was developed by the Department of Health and Ageing and can be freely copied or modified as required. Better Access to Mental Health Care Orientation Manual (Click to download) The Orientation Manual is an excellent reference and provides detailed clear information for GPs relating to the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative. All relevant information is covered including patient eligibility, GP Mental Health Care Plans, review and consultation, billing, education and training, referral options and resources and tools. K10 outcome measurement tool (Click to download) 10 item outcome measurement tool measuring non-specific psychological distress. DASS 21 Instrument (Click to download) DASS 21 Scoring Template (Click to download) 21item outcome measurement tool measuring depression, anxiety and stress. Back to Top Useful Websites for GPswww.health.gov.au(Australian Government Health and Ageing.) Click on ‘A-Z index’ and then select ‘M’ for Mental Health. Information, fact sheets and templates are available relating to Mental Health and GP and Allied Health Medicare Items. www.primarymentalhealth.com.au (Part of the Australian General Practice Network) Click on “Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative’ for GP resources, education material and lists of ‘Questions and Answers’ (FAQs) relating to the initiative. www.gpcare.org (Joint program between the Australian Government and the World Health Collaboration Centre St Vincent’s Hospital) in Sydney. Useful and practical information available relating to recognizing and treating common mental health disorders, descriptions of differing psychological interventions and their evidence base and the use of outcome measures in general practice. www.beyondblue.org.au Information for practitioners and patients relating to Depression, Postnatal Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder. Includes mental disorder signs and symptoms information and patient self screening tools. Back to Top |
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