Depression and Medicare

[Paul Edwards]

On 22 August there was a post about how to claim the Chronic Disease Management items under Medicare. One of our members, who has been seeing a clinical psychologist for mild depression, has kindly drawn my attention to the Medicare items under the Better Access to Mental Care initiative.

 

If you are a Prostate Cancer Patient who has depression or anxiety, Medicare rebates may be available to you for up to ten mental health services per calendar year provided by general practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists and eligible social workers and occupational therapists.

 

Normally the first step is to talk to your GP and have a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan prepared.

 

As with all health services, if a provider accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment for the service, there will be no out-of-pocket cost.  If not, you will have to pay the difference between the fee charged and the Medicare rebate.

 

Private health insurers may also rebate part of the cost of consultations by psychiatrists and psychologists.

 

More information is available from the Commonwealth Health Department by clicking on the following link: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/mental-ba-fact-pat