Referral Processes


​GPs
GPs can refer eligible patients for psychological services under the Medicare Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative. If a patient is eligible, the GP can complete a Mental Health Care Plan with the patient. This will allow the patient to claim a partial rebate on the cost of an initial six sessions. If an additional four sessions are required, the patient will have to return to the referring GP to complete a Review of the Mental Health Care Plan.

The Medicare item codes for a Mental Health Care Plan are as follows:
  • Item 2700/2701 for GPs without Mental Health Skills Training
  • Item 2715/2717 for GPs with Mental Health Skills Training
  • Item 2712 for Mental Health Care Plan Review

Our administration staff are able to process the Medicare rebate immediately after payment of a session, provided a copy of the Mental Health Care Plan and a written referral has been forwarded to our office prior to the initial session. Patients can claim a rebate for a maximum of 10 sessions per calendar year.
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Psychiatrists
Referrals under the Medicare Better Access Initiative can also be made by psychiatrists and paediatricians, and must be made from eligible Medicare services.
  • For specialist psychiatrists and paediatricians, services include any of the specialist attendance items 104 through 109 and items 91822, 91823 and 91833.
  • For consultant physician psychiatrists, the relevant eligible Medicare services cover any of the consultant psychiatrist items 293 to 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318 or 319 through 349
  • Forconsultant physician paediatricians, the eligible services are consultant physician attendance items 110 through 133.
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Third Party Claims
Wisemind Psychology accepts referrals from various third-party agencies. These include Worker’s Compensation claims, Motor Accidents Compensation claims, and other employer-funded referrals. Referral information must be received by our administration staff before an appointment can be scheduled. This includes the case manager or contact person's details and the number of approved sessions available.