About the initiative
The Better Access initiative gives Medicare benefits to eligible people, so they can access selected mental health treatment services they need wherever they live in Australia.
Mental health treatment services are available from:
- eligible general practitioners (GPs)
- eligible prescribed medical practitioners (PMPs)
- psychologists (eligible clinical and eligible registered)
- eligible social workers
- eligible occupational therapists.
Through Better Access, eligible patients can claim a Medicare benefit for up to 10 individual and 10 group therapy mental health treatment services per calendar year (1 January to 31 December) if they have been assessed with a clinically diagnosed mental disorder. Patients can access more if they wish but Medicare will not cover more than this amount.
MBS telehealth services that were made available in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, are now permanent. This means that eligible Australians can access individual telehealth services, no matter their location, where it is safe and clinically appropriate to do so.
Eligibility requirements
To access Medicare benefits under Better Access, patients must have either a mental health treatment plan or a psychiatrist assessment and management plan. A valid referral for eligible allied health services is required by either a general practitioner or prescribed medical practitioner at the general practice they are enrolled in for MyMedicare, or their usual medical practitioner. Direct referrals from psychiatrists or paediatricians are also accepted.
Patients may access telehealth (video or phone) services for mental health treatment plan preparation if:
- they receive the service from a general practitioner or prescribed medical practitioner at their MyMedicare registered practice or their usual medical practitioner and either:
- they had at least one face-to-face appointment in the past 12 months with their usual general practitioner or prescribed medical practitioner, or
- they meet one of the exemptions to the clinical relationship rule.
For group therapy mental health treatment telehealth services, eligibility is limited to patients in areas classified as Modified Monash Model (MMM) 4–7. Further information about other eligibility requirements for group therapy mental health treatment services are outlined in the Group Therapy fact sheet
Evaluation of the Better Access initiative – final report
This is the final report of an independent evaluation of the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule initiative (Better Access), undertaken by the University of Melbourne.
Why it is important
Living with mental ill-health has a huge impact on people’s lives and can be overwhelming. For people experiencing mental ill-health, getting the right support and treatment strategies early is critical.
Better Access helps cover the cost of this support, giving people easier access and more choice about what services they receive.
Goals of the initiative
Better Access aims to improve treatment and management of mental illnesses and encourage more people to seek support for their mental ill-health, wherever they live in Australia.
It works to improve treatment and management for people who have mild to moderate mental health conditions. These are cases where short-term evidence-based interventions are most likely to be useful.
Better Access Evaluation
An evaluation of Better Access was completed in December 2022. Future arrangements will be informed by the evaluation findings. The evaluation report is available online.
Who can access Better Access rebates
MBS benefits are available to people with a diagnosed mental disorder. This includes many conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
The first step is to speak with your GP, or if relevant, your psychiatrist or paediatrician. They will decide if you are eligible for support under the Better Access initiative.
Who we work with
We fund and manage the Better Access initiative.
Services Australia processes benefits paid under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).
Better Access education and training
Better Access funds education and training for health professionals. This helps to build their skills in working with people who live with mental ill-health.
It also helps them understand important aspects of effectively treating people, including:
- understanding MBS item numbers
- referrals and patient health care planning
- how mental health professionals can work together.
To support medical professionals, we fund the:
- Mental Health Professionals' Network to establish and support networks of professionals who work together to improve referral pathways and mental health outcomes
- General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration to establish quality standards of education and training in mental health for GPs.
Learn more
Better Access Initiative resource collection
Contact
For more information on Better Access call Services Australia on:
- 132 150 for providers
- 132 011 for people seeking assistance.