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Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS

Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS (Better Access) initiative

Medicare rebates available under the Better Access initiative.

The Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS (Better Access) initiative aims to improve outcomes for people with a clinically-diagnosed mental disorder through evidence-based treatment. Under this initiative, Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) rebates are available to patients for selected mental health services provided by GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists (clinical and registered), eligible social workers and occupational therapists.

From 1 July 2011

Continuing professional development for allied mental health professionals providing focussed psychological strategies services is mandatory. For more information visit: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-ba-focus

From 1 November 2011

• Payments to GPs for preparation of GP Mental Health Treatment Plans will be linked to the time spent with the patient developing a GP Mental Health Treatment plan and to whether or not the GP has undertaken mental health skills training.
• Medicare items 2702 and 2710 have been removed from the MBS, and replaced with four new time-tiered Medicare items 2700, 2701, 2715 and 2717.
• Medicare rebates for eligible people with a diagnosed mental disorder under the Better Access initiative will be capped at ten individual and ten group allied mental health services per calendar year.

Click on the following links to find out more about how to access Medicare items under the Better Access initiative:

Fact Sheet For Patients

GP Mental Health Treatment Items

Fact Sheet for GPs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for GPs
Sample GP Mental Health Treatment Plan Form - PDF version (PDF 24 KB)
Sample GP Mental Health Treatment Plan Form - RTF version (RTF 97 KB)

Allied Mental Health Professionals Medicare Items

Fact Sheet for Allied Mental Health Providers
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Allied Mental Health Providers